Teaching Poetry
Bringing Poetry to Life in Your Homeschool: A Summertime Guide
Poetry can sometimes feel intimidating, both for homeschooling parents and students. But it doesn't have to be! With the right resources and approach, poetry can become a fun and engaging part of your homeschool curriculum. Let's explore how you can teach poetry on your own or use the "Explore Summertime Poetry" unit study by My Texas Homeschool to introduce your children to the beauty of verse.
Why Teach Poetry?
Poetry offers a unique way to develop language skills, creativity, and critical thinking. It exposes children to rich vocabulary, diverse writing styles, and different perspectives when you learn to look through the eyes of different authors. Plus, memorizing and reciting poems can boost confidence and public speaking skills.
But how can I teach Poetry?
There’s so many ways to approach poetry, be it as a response activity where you read and respond or as a deeper more analytical study.
Here are some of my favorite places to start with poetry.
Poetry terms: Have clear definitions and examples of rhyme, meter, structure, and literary elements like imagery, personification, and tone.
Poetry selection: Find poems which make it easy to analyze rhyme, structure, and imagery at first.
Poem analysis: Break down your selected poems rhyme scheme, meter, and literary devices.
And here are some of my favorite activities to use to surround your poetry study:
Tie in engaging activities: Coloring pages, copywork, and poetry writing prompts can reinforce learning and spark creativity.
Teatime fun: Poems and teatime are just a match made in heaven!
How to use our Explore: Summertime Poetry study
"Explore Summertime Poetry" is a comprehensive guide designed for ages 9 and up. It focuses on the works of Compton Mackenzie, a Scottish writer known for his playful use of language and humor.
Start with the basics: Begin by reviewing the poetry terms with your child. Use the provided definitions and examples to build a strong foundation.
Dive into the poems: Read each poem aloud with your child, encouraging them to visualize the imagery and identify the rhyme scheme. Pay attention to what is underlined and annotated for you within the unit!
Analyze together: Use the analysis pages to guide your discussion. Explore the literary elements and how they contribute to the poem's meaning and tone.
Get creative: Encourage your child to complete the activities, such as creating their own kennings or writing a poem inspired by summer imagery.
Tips for Success
Take it slow: Don't try to cover everything at once. Focus on one poem or concept at a time.
Make it interactive: Encourage your child to ask questions and share their thoughts.
Relate it to their world: Help your child connect the poems to their own experiences and observations.
Celebrate their progress: Praise their efforts and encourage them to keep exploring poetry.
With the "Explore Summertime Poetry" unit study, you can make poetry an accessible and enjoyable part of your homeschool journey. By studying poetry, you'll learn about language and expression using images in language and more - and the ability to analyze language is priceless, from poetry to contracts, and even from rental agreements to literature.
