Things I've Learned

I hate poetry.  I think it's boring, and tedious, and illusive, and pompous. 

In one of my classes right now, we're studying poetry, and I've presented a lesson plan on this subject in another class within a week of writing this post.  Right now, I should be reading a chapter about poetry--and I have been reading.  But I've come across some things I've learned about poetry that I want to share with you--things I've learned that I think contribute to my distaste for poetry.  (As a future Language Arts teacher, I think it is very important that I "get over" my disdain for artistically presenting words, and I'm working on it, and this is helping me work on it.)

• "Children should be made aware of the elements of poetry, but not be required to analyze them.  These language elements are shared to heighten adult awareness of the wonders of this genre and to assist them in selecting the best to share with children" (Hancock 128).
• "It is not so important for children to distinguish between [similes and metaphors].  Their importance lies in teacher recognition of figurative language so children may be drawn to and respond to these types of comparisons" (131).
• "Enjoyment of poetry, in any form, should be our outcome in sharing this genre with children" (133).
• "Children who listen to free verse read aloud will be released from the rhymed poem stereotype" (134).
• "Teachers should share all types of poetry with their students, exposing them to the breadth and depth of this genre" (136).
• "...nature poems restore our sense of wonder" (139).
• "One of the best ways of evaluating poetry is to read it aloud.  If the words flow and create excitement within you, if the poem appeals to your senses, if the poem makes you stop and reflect long after it is over, if a phrase or word keeps recurring in your mind, then perhaps you have found a special poem" (139).
• "Studies of... students' preferences confirmed the findings of Terry's (1972) original study.... Students disliked poems that contained visual imagery or figurative language" (140).
• "Poetry should be fun and provide pure enjoyment" (142).
• "The written response to a poem through personal interpretation, literary analysis, or self-created poetry is not encouraged until children have learned to love poetry" (143).  

• All quotes have been taken from this book: 
• Hancock, Marjorie R. "Poetry: The Power and Pleasure of Language." A Celebration of Literature and Response: Children, Books, and Teachers in K-8 Classrooms. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2008. 127-48. Print.

Basically, I've learned not to force poetry upon students as my teachers did me, and to use it frequently, not just cram it into one "unit" or brief period of time.  Interesting how this isn't common sense or common practice.