Less of us may read poetry than we did 100 years ago, but its importance for students has a far greater reach than people might initially expect, and its presence in the classroom is the best place to start. Writing poetry has been proven to positively impact mental health. It also encourages us to consider the singular impact of each word in what we write. 4284822, Why teaching poetry in school is so important. Its shortness can be a vehicle to convey an idea that longer pieces may not fully capture. This can be a great way to increase children’s confidence in their own writing. — Billy Collins, ‘Introduction to Poetry’ Do not hide your strengths or talents to please the like of others. Another way of looking at poems is to view them as windows that reflect the world around us. In a curriculum that favours practical skills over creativity, arguably the most creative of all literatures gets overlooked — especially as it seen by many people as being ‘difficult’. It can be hard enough learning the poems currently on the curriculum, without searching out contemporary poetry that relates to students. The words of Kendrick Lamar or Akala might be seen by some as a form of low art, but the lyrical complexity of the work they produce not only displays great artistry, it’s actually relatable for young people. Poetry can give students a healthy outlet for surging emotions. “Students can let go of traditional writing rules with poetry. It is an excellent cross curricula resource, it can bring topics, from history to science to geography, to life. With 1.5 billion downloads and 500 million active users, it’s the world’s most downloaded app — and its influence among young people continues to skyrocket. Children really do benefit from positive experiences with poetry. “all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it. Poem of the week activitiescan be easily implemented to strengthen language arts lessons. Poetry has the potential both in the classroom, and out the classroom, to teach more than a basic understanding of iambic pentameter, rhyming couplets and haikus. He talks movingly about the importance of poetry in children's lives: “Every possible effort should be made to promote the appreciation of poetry, and encourage its creation. Poetry can also trace the evolution of language. But my answer to that is (AI) might be able to create Poetry but only human intelligence can appreciate it. Education is a gift that allows you to explore the mind. They see words and letters making all different shapes across a page. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter which poetry you choose to teach in the classroom. Bring some poetry into your hearts, homes, classrooms and schools. What Is Poetry & Why Is It Important? However, it is a powerful instructional tool and an important art to study at any age. Poetry can give students a healthy outlet for surging emotions,” states literature professor Andrew Simmons in an open letter to The Atlantic. In an age of tweets and hashtags, the brevity of a poem should in fact be the perfect art form for students today. While studying poetry can impart great lessons in word choice and structure, it’s also a chance for students to take a break from the rules. We have both dance and drama workshops inspired by children’s poems for this very reason. Poems have accounted for no more than 100. First of all, the curriculum need to move away from presenting poetry in such a way that it needs to be decoded. Studying poetry at primary school also allows children to learn about how words sound and gets them to think about how poetry can be performed. If you are a poetry advocate already, I hope you gain some additional insight and ideas to strengthen your program. . It can also help young people truly find their voice. Within poetry lies a world of possibilities, there is no single correct way to create a poem. Today I will explain Importance of Poetry in this video. Take poets like Wilfred Owen or Siegfried Sassoon - we look to their poems to get a real picture of WW1. This can be a great way to increase children’s confidence in their own writing. A. Richards's work, especially Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgement,' and George Steiner's continuation of Richards's efforts, there have been surprisingly few attempts to explore the specific reasons for the study of poetry or to describe the skills which result from these efforts. They give us a snapshot of the language and topics of the time. But perhaps most importantly, poetry can have a positive impact on students’ mental health. Neha, You are bringing a very important question and I am so happy to see Indian Youth discussing the importance of Poetry. Take hip-hop and grime for example. Whilst understanding different poetic elements is important — particularly with aspects like line breaks and imagery — getting an insight into the way another person sees the world is what really connects people with a poem, especially for young people. Poetry is NOT important. Once students have studied a poem on a topic, I find that they are more willing to contribute their own ideas. Poetry is a very integral part of children’s learning overall, and the learning of language skills.Poetry makes learning fun for children, and gives the opportunity to learn through association. Poetry can give students a healthy outlet for surging emotions” We all know that time is limited, and teachers have to make instructional choices. This only adds to the idea that poetry is difficult — which is often the main turn off for students. 06 Jul Why is Repetition Important to ... history usually alternates a little each year, but they will see the same concepts over and over, just like you did. Some with rhyme and some without. For Wordsworth and his contemporaries 200 years ago, form was assumed. It is a way to help instill the English language in a very non-intimidating way. Common arguments say that it is therapeutic and a form of expression. © Celsian Group Limited, Registered Address: 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3BA, Company No. When a child opens a poetry book and looks at the pages, what do they see? Some short, some long. It can be taught as part of reading, writing, and language lessons, and it fits easily into classroom themes, projects, and celebrations. Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the english language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. Helpful Not Helpful. Are you ready to have a go? It’s too easy to suggest reading magazines like Poetry Review and The New Yorker, especially if you don’t have a keen interest, as it can seem like yet another task to do on top of an ever-increasing workload. When a single tweet or facebook post can be vilified, and spread like wildfire, potentially ruining a young person’s reputation, reading poetry can help children understand the impact of short-form language. A far stretch from “I wandered lonely as a cloud” — though Wordsworth too can have some place in English Literature lessons. They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.” Typically shorter than prose, it can look like a less intimidating page of text when children are starting to read. Ensure poetry of all kinds is a prominent part of the reading environment. Mahmoud Darwish. In this article I will attempt to articulate why poetry is important to read and also to write. Poetry is a way to understand how language and symbol systems work. The Importance of Teaching Poetry NANCY MARTIN BAILEY With the notable exception of I. Poetry has a place in our curriculum. Trailblazing poets like Ezra Pound and E. E. Cummings made their names by doing away with the rules of rhyme, meter, and even capitalization. Hope you all the students are well. Behavioral Improvements Susan L. Wyant shows examples of this in her second grade classroom. It reflects how kids engage with social media and technology. Their poetry paints a picture, in language, tone and rhythm, of the treacherous reality they were facing. Popular poems are popular for good reason; they describe common experiences that everyone can relate to. Poets themselves also still suffer from the hackneyed associations of cravats, hats and perusing at ponds. Likewise, understand the nuances of language, a key component of learning from poetry, can help students realise when language is used in advertising, the media and politics to manipulate them to make action. If you are reluctant to teach poe… April is National Poetry Month. The benefits of studying poetry far outweigh any preconceived negatives of difficulty. Some poems even become an illustration of what they are describing. Poetry today suffers from an image problem. The importance of poetry is not measured, finally, by what the poet says but by how he says it. But perhaps most importantly, poetry can have a positive impact on students’ mental health. Young children learn to hear the sounds in spoken language through chants, rhymes, nonsense words, and poetry. It doesn’t acknowledge form. This creativity teaches children to experiment with language and to find new ways to communicate. This is a shame — not just because poetry is important to teach, but also because poetry is important for the It can be the backbone of English Literature lessons, from nursery, all the way up to university. “Poetry enables teachers to teach their students how to write, read, and understand any text. So it can be used in any lesson, can improve reading and writing, is an excellent creative outlet, and above all else it’s fun! In a time of rising demand for teachers, are we at crisis point? The binary of right and wrong doesn’t seem to exist in poetry and that freedom can be a wonderful opportunity to encourage children’s own writing. Fine, If you want to do poetry in your own time, For all means do it. Consider Kate Tempest, the musician-poet who aptly reflects millennial experience, or Claudia Rankine, who challenges racial inequality in the US. “Poetry ignites students to think about what it’s like to share their opinion, be heard, and make a difference in their world,” Southerton said. So why is poetry important for children? Enjoying, reading and hearing public poetry regularly develops a shared culture and an acceptance that poetry is important. Children’s poetry, for instance, is not complex or dark in subject matter and uses very regular rhythm and rhyme schemes, which young students will enjoy. It is a worthy expression of emotion, or deep feelings, and aesthetics, or a sense of what is beautiful about the world. Reading Poetry. Poetry can be a brilliant route to reading for both new or reluctant readers. For me, poetry is important because it provides a space for the imagination to experiment and push against “impossibilities.”. It can be powerful while at the same time change the world. Within poetry lies a world of possibilities, there is no single correct way to create a poem. Today, it is an ever-present issue, forcing the government to take action for 2019. Poetry is an amazing aspect of language that inhances literacy, behavior and so much more! Teaching and learning from poetry can help students respect and understand the viewpoints of people across the globe. In contemplating poetry, we can develop new connections across disparate pieces of knowledge. Suddenly the words do not sound the same or mean the same. The binary of right and wrong doesn’t seem to exist in poetry and that freedom can be a wonderful opportunity to encourage children’s own writing. In other words, this is how they develop phonological awareness. By continuing to use this site we’ll assume you consent to this, however you can change your browser cookie settings at any time. James Buchan. Poetry also helps in understanding different perspectives. Poetry has over recent history, been about self-expression, resistance and structural creativity. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Poetry captures the urgency of a moment in the life of the writer. This post includes five reasons to teach poetry in the classroom. For most students. Also, rhyme and repetition are excellent ways for young learners to develop an awareness of language, phonic patterns and rhythms. “Poetry enables teachers to teach their students how to write, read, and understand any text. 1. Is there any purpose to translating poetry? Rarely do they see uniformity. There is as much value in a Shakespearian sonnet as in Akala’s rap-poetry. To make it better like the sunny weather. Take time to drop poems into the school day, without A poetry lesson can be an excellent gateway into spoken english, drama, music and dance. Teaching and learning from poetry can help students respect and understand the viewpoints of people across the globe. As parents, we may know that reading is important but not stop to think about the value of poetry. We’d love to see what you and your class can come up with! I tell the kids the most important thing about poetry is that people feel differently after reading it.” Votes: 3. Poetry can increase students' literacy and linguistic awareness, according Dr. Janette Hughes in a research report for the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat of Ontario. But poetry doesn’t have to be like this. Reason #1: Poetry helps us know each other and build community. But poetry is around us today, we just have to look a little further than anthologies. Likewise, poets like Warsan Shire, a poet promoted by Beyonce, is not only an interesting poet to study, but kids are more likely to engage with someone who they’ve come across on social media. Show them you are strong like a mighty lion. Tie this in with the crossover with hip-hop and grime, and it is something that students should be able to relate to. A simple poem might not seem like a big deal, but if it can teach this then it will set students up for life. I recently heard a talk where they discussed how Artificial Intelligence can create Poems on par with famous poets. Whether it be through spoken word, or written, it allows both students and adults to express emotions in a controlled way. Helpful Not Helpful. Let’s get started! Download our poem below and fill in the blanks. In an age of increasing divisiveness, this is a hugely important education. Even when it comes to teaching primary school kids. Education is at least 6 to 8 years of repetition. These are the poets of today, who are not only more relatable to young people, they reflect the world we live in. Throughout time poetry has been a medium for expressing ideas, emotions, and beliefs. My argument in defense of the continued relevance of poetry is that it remains connected to many other fields / domains of human knowledge. Why would it? The variety of poems allows people to be able to fashion their own combinations for writing poetry and ultimately creating their own unique style. It seems apt that on National Poetry Day we should celebrate everything that is wonderful about exploring poetry in primary school! Poetry allows you to play with language and sentence structure. The use of rhythm, rhyme and repetition also brilliant for speaking aloud. Somewhere in that process, abstract thought kicks in and the student begins to make connections. We have used extracts from WW1 poetry in our Poetry and Poppies workshop because not only can poetry be expressive and artistic, it can also be a valuable historical resource. A poem does not contain information of importance, like a signpost or a warning notice. If age-appropriate poetry is taught in schools then it gives young people the chance to develop an appreciation for poetry and its various techniques. In an age of increasing divisiveness, this is a hugely important education. It’s … Every child's imagination should be inspired by the arts, Behind-the-Scenes, Drama Workshops, Latest News from WEIS, Literacy. It’s also a great way to … More important, Wordsworth’s statement doesn’t acknowledge the structure that serves as a scaffolding for those feelings, a framework that makes a poem more than just cathartic release. Throughout history people have used poetry to share their experiences, both good and bad, and to paint a picture of the day. We need people who can think independently, who can approach questions in unexpected ways, who can engage in “ possibility thinking ” in order to solve complex problems. It can add additional value to our studies. The pattern of the sentences sound new and melodious. I think poetry has incredible economic and practical value. — Andrew Simmons, The Atlantic Because it's a wonderful way to stimulate … Making poetry available and fun for children is an important part of a child’s education. Poems tell a story, a story rooted in the moment they were conceived. Why should I use poetry? Poetry is one of those topics that often gets dismissed as whimsical and unimportant. Click here to see our Cookie Policy. And look beyond the earth. children to poetry regularly in formal and informal ways helps them to develop an appreciation of many kinds of writers and forms. However, That should be a choice that students have to make. Here are five reasons why poetry is so important and should be taught from the beginning of the education process. So much of school is about meeting a word count or target, but poetry teaches us the impact of saying a lot in few words. Here are five reasons why we need poetry in our schools. Then, secondary school is even more repetition along with exposure to new ideas. If a poem didn’t rhyme, readers could be sure it employed some sort of metrical … If you follow, I hope this brings you good marks. As Andrew Simmons states, poetry as an art form can be the basis of all literary study. Guest Blog: The Importance of Teaching Modern Poetry In this guest blog post, Neil Bowen, Head of English at Wells Cathedral School in the UK, ponders the role of modern poetry in education During my degree course, 25 years ago, the gamut of English Literature ran all the way back to Anglo-Saxon texts, such as Beowulf , and all the way up to about 1950. High school seniors Sam and Catherine will tell you what they have gotten ou… The reason that a student should study Romantic poetry is probably similar to why a student should study Victorian poetry or Modernist poetry. In poetry, there is no “right” answer. So far this year, my 12th grade literature students have read nearly 200,000 words for my class. Thus, they can be an effective way to introduce a topic for discussion in class. Or can schools adopt inventive strategies to accommodate the ongoing swell in pupil numbers? Give students a chance to see poetry as a recess from grammar class. It allows them to explore how words sound and how sentences are constructed. 16 years after enjoying a high school literary education rich in poetry, I am a literature teacher who barely teaches it. Votes: 5. Though fewer people read poetry than novels, it can help students learn in more ways than you might imagine. If you haven’t heard of TikTok, chances are you’ll come across it very soon. Poetry is not important as it has no unique value for students that only it can provide. This performance element of poetry is great for bringing a classroom alive with activity and for getting children out of their seats and working together. In this series we will look at the importance of poetry for children, the benefits of poetry for children, and how you can include poetry in your child’s daily life. Wordplay, rhythm and nonsense vocabulary are wonderful poetic features. Studying poetry can help students to expand their oral and written vocabularies. 1 Language Awareness. 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