Poetry with the kids can be a bit like marmite. Some of the students will delight in getting into the deeper language analysis with you, uncovering internal rhymes and metaphor, while others will find the format and the language a struggle.
But the whole point of poetry is its flexibility and it's our job to introduce children to language they love so they can learn to manipulate words for their own joy too.
One of the poems which is always a favourite is Football Mad by Benjamin Zephaniah. I let the student read the poem aloud and then listen to Zephaniah's own reading of it. Thank you to Mr Z for showing children the power of punchy language, wry humour and an undeniable beat.
I really enjoyed reading this cricket poem one of our Year 6 students wrote after listening to Football Mad:
I was once playing cricket for our club,
While our parents sat in the pub.
We were playing well, but,
A mighty task befell,
And 6 from 1 was needed.
We didn't think we'd win for we cheated,
By switching my bat back,
So I could smack it outfield.
The bowler bowled with pace,
Something I couldn't face!
I hit the ball and
Saw it fall,
Over the boundary line!
So we won the game,
And got all the fame.
Some of our younger students are appreciating the haiku format at the moment; I am positive this is not just because the minimal format required involves less handwriting! Here's a snippet of Haiku wisdom produced by one of our six year olds:
Haiku for Sadness
We all feel sadness,
We can build our strength when sad,
And face challenges
Beautiful!
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