Roses are Red, Violets are Blue... It’s National Poetry Month!
Happy National Poetry Month! Introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, the celebratory month was initiated as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.
Poetry is a rich tool for the creative mind, especially in the classroom. A well–rounded English curriculum should include poetry as it encourages students to use language to express thoughts, feelings, new ideas, and unique perspectives. Students who study poetry tend to have a better understanding of their surroundings. By bringing poetry into our classrooms, we’re able to teach children a lot more about the world they live in.
Poetry instills a sense of freedom in the mind of a child to explore daily life, wants, and wishes. Encouraging children to write freely about less tangible concepts creates an opportunity for children to express themselves. Whether the poem has structure or no rules at all, poetry writing can tap into a student’s artistic mind.
Sharing poetry in the classroom emphasizes speaking and listening skills – both vital in a well–rounded education. It can also allow students to practice using metaphors, imagery, and symbolic language to paint a picture about parts of themselves they may not feel comfortable sharing directly. Poetry allows students to find their voice.
Poetry uses numerous techniques and there are many ways to write a poem. The art of writing and reading poetry guides students to think critically about the words on the page in a more cognitive manner, thus developing their interpretive skills.
Schools are designed to teach students lessons they take with them as they grow. Emotional learning is no exception. Adding poetry to a student’s education can help them see the world in a new way while also helping them tap into other methods of learning.
Celebrate this month with your child and encourage them to put pencil to paper. The best part? It doesn’t even have to rhyme.
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