  Poetry
This week: Let Them Write Poetry! Edited by: Crys-not really here  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
| Hi! My name is Crys-not really here and I'm always excited to be your guest editor for the Poetry Newsletter! |
| ASIN: B01FST8A90 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
|
Amazon's Price: $ 24.95
|
|
Let Them Write Poetry!
Let's take a break from pounding out 50,000 words this month and talk about something slower and more deliberate: poetry. Poetry can be one of the more accessible forms of expression for young people. It can allow them to express their emotions in a low-pressure way. Unlike with fiction, they don't have to make things up; unlike with non-fiction, they don't have to totally tell the truth, either. Poetry can be nonsensical, confessional, biographical, or conversational.
I find that, if given the chance, most teenagers are willing to write a poem or song lyrics. Sometimes, they may need a simple subject suggestion or set of guidelines to get started, but once they do, they really take off. Here's one technique that I recently observed during a ninth grade English class:
The students are required to do a journal entry at the beginning of every class. Tuesday's journal topic was to make a list of "wonderful words," words that the student thinks are fun to say, or unusual, or mean something special to her. Wednesday's journal topic was to use those words (and only those words) to form a 20-line poem. The students were told to not worry if the poems made sense, just group words in ways that sound good. The results were amazing! When faced with the low-pressure task of "sounding good," the students wrote poems that were subtly profound or energetic and fun. Most importantly, they were genuinely proud of their work!
Introducing poetry to children of any age can be a valuable experience. I truly believe that the teacher who made us memorize "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" in third grade instilled a love of language in me, and I was very lucky that I had many other teachers who nurtured that love. For these teenagers, the process of creating a poem (and sharing it) instilled a little bit of self-esteem in them. I'd like to think that at least some of them will take that moment with them into their futures and continue to write.
I believe that we as adults should share our love of writing and reading with the children in our lives. Sometimes, all a child needs is permission to express herself constructively, and the world opens up to her.
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 0996254145 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
|
|
This week, I found a new comment on an old Poetry newsletter: "Teaching Respect for Poetry." Since it fits so well into my newsletter topic this week, I am including it here. Happy writing!
Feedback!
Wonderful piece on Teaching Respect For Poetry! Until I read these thoughts, I had no idea how much I owed to my 3rd Grade teacher (Mrs. Smith - really!) who had each and everyone of us memorize Hiawatha. Today, at 54 - and with the help of your commentary, I now know that I still live..."By the shores of Gitche Gume.."...yes, within that wonderful poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Thank you Mrs. Smith! Thank you to the author of "Respect for Poetry"! -Amber Rose 
|
| ASIN: B01DSJSURY |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
Poetry: November 02, 2011 Issue [#4690]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
