EDUA 5430 Poetry in the Classroom
BE VERSATILE WITH VERSE: POETRY IN THE CLASSROOM
Even though we may not realize it, our lives are infused with poetry. Adults sing rhythmic lullabies to babies; children learn nursery rhymes and key concepts like the months of the year by chanting (“Thirty days have September, April, June, and November!”); and teenagers rock to the beat of their favorite songs’ rhythm and lyrics. Poetry has the power to inspire, transform, enlighten, and stir our emotions.
From simple limericks to complex elegies, poetry can enrich English Language Arts instruction by exposing students to its unique literary features and demystifying the practice of interpreting abstract or symbolic verse. In this course, teachers will learn robust strategies for incorporating poetry into their teaching practice. Teachers will learn how to help students understand the conventions of poetry, interpret different styles of poetry, creatively express their responses to poems, and write original poetry. After finishing the course, teachers will be able to fortify their English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum and help students discover a lifelong appreciation for this unique literary form.