LSSL 5385 Textbook Reflections Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Poetry

       Poetry is the most neglected form of literature. That is mainly due to bad experiences in school, or we don’t feel comfortable with poetry.  Poetry is not a genre, but poetry can be found in many different types of genres. Poetry is great for writing with students because there are no rules and not a format you have to follow. There are not any rules in poetry, so children can have the freedom to express themselves. There is a difference in the type of poetry that students should write and read.  It allows children to be creative. Elements of poetry include rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, repetition, and shape. Children enjoy poetry for many different reasons. Poetry allows children to use their imaginations, emotions, and experiences. It provides children with enjoyment, knowledge of concepts, and increases the exposure to vocabular. It also helps children identify people, situations, and understanding their feelings. It also helps them understand their emotions and feelings.
      Criteria for evaluating poetry was developed through research by Margaret Natarella.  Does the poem use imagery and allow the children to visualize and expand their imagination? Children will enjoy poems that they can see vivid pictures in their heads.  Children prefer narrative poems or poems that tell a story.  This will feel natural to children because they are used to hearing stories. The poem should include rhyme, rhythm, and sound devices. They enjoy the poems with alliterations and onomatope. Children enjoy poems that are funny, things they are familiar with, and animals. These are popular with elementary students.

        There is a preference for contemporary poems. The language that is used that they recognize and feel comfortable with. Many older poems such as Frost and Dickinson were made for older readers, so they do not connect or enjoy those poems as much. Poems should not be brought down to a childish level. Poems do not have to be silly of childish for children to enjoy or understand them. Good poetry should allow children should allow children to interact and engage with the poem. Poetry is good enough for it to be repeated and read it over and over. Being familiar with the poem makes it more enjoyable.   

         When trying to decide what type of poetry or some great poetry books the NCTE Poetry Award is an excellent resource. It began in the 70’s and was given out every three years. It is now give out annually. Poetry should not be overlooked because it is enjoyable and meaningful for all children. Jean Le Pere states that there are six reasons to share poetry with children. It provides enjoyment for children. It provides knowledge of concepts and increases vocabulary that they might not be exposed to. It helps children identify with people and situations. It helps children understand their feelings by helping them with insight to their feelings and emotions.

       For students in grades 7-9^th they enjoy poems that have rhyme, humorous narrative, and familiar experiences. There are many forms of poetry that is written. Lyrics are brief poems that emphasize sounds and pictures. Narratives are poems that tell stories. Ballads are narrative folk songs that tell history or legends. Limericks are short, witty poems. Concrete is poetry that uses words to shape up a picture. Haiku is a three-line poem with five syllables in the first and last line, and seven in the middle.

    As I reflect on this chapter it made me think about my experiences with poetry and my enjoyment for poetry came later in life around my first year of college. I read Cage Bird by Maya Angelou. I immediately became engrossed in the beauty and imagery that her poems invoked. So, when thinking on poetry for YA. I am connecting back to the development of students into more abstract thinking and poetry is extremely abstract. As a librarian I want students to read poetry to enjoy its beauty so that they will want to read and reread it repeatedly. Most students already will have the experience with English class where they will read and then must dissect the poem. I would like to have poetry available to my students and on display.