Teaching Children To Write Poetry Is Fun
Children can learn to write poetry when they are shown the basics. It does not matter if you are a parent or a teacher. Here are 6 steps to get you started.
1. List of words. On the chalk board or on a piece of paper at home write down some words that rhyme. An example would be: night, kite, fight, scare, snare, mare, mile, smile etc. Help the kids arrange a couple of these words in a sentence.
2. Recitation. While the students are writing their sentences you can write some of your own and then read them out loud. Hearing words rhyme is different than saying them in your head. Have each of the children do this. There may be giggles which is normal.
3. The Bible. The Bible is the most widely read book in the world. It is written in prose and parts of it are quite beautiful. You can read parts of the Bible a loud and discuss why it is considered poetry. As an exercise you can have the children try to imitate some of the verses.
4. Poems about grandparents. Try having the children write poems about things and people they are very familiar with like grandparents. Other topics could be pets and toys. The idea is to help them identify with the subject matter for their poems.
5. Games to teach rhyming. Rhyming games can be used to teach children how to write poetry. You can read nursery rhymes to the kids and have them stomp and or clap their hands along with the rhythmic pattern. This will be loud but it is very effective.
6. Music. Play different musical selection and point out how the lyrics blend like the words in poems. There are often rhymes used. This will help the older kids become more interested in poetry when they realize that their favorite musical groups adhere to many forms of prose in their music.
Writing poetry is a fun activity and the kids will enjoy it. You need to start with simple rhyming schemes so the students can build confidence. You can use the Bible, games and music to further their understanding.
Filed under: Writing & Speaking