Learn YA Lit with Me (Ch.9)

The one where Ms. Shattuck learns about "Poetry."

I'm taking a class on Young Adult literature this semester at SHSU and am required to blog about each chapter that I read, so I thought I'd create a series to share with my blog friends. Welcome to Chapter 9.

Summary:

It is important to note that this chapter opens by informing readers that poetry is NOT a genre--more of a form literature can take in different genres.

Students typically do not enjoy poetry in class because they are taught to pick it apart like a biology dissection.

Poetry was meant to be read out loud, and enjoyed, so students need to be re-taught how to enjoy poetry.

Kids enjoy funny, familiar, and animal poetry.

This chapter also offered Jean Le Pere's reasons to share poetry with children:

1. Enjoyment

2. Knowledge of Concepts

3. Vocabulary Acquisition

4. Identification with people and situations

5. Understanding of their own feelings

6. Insights and emotions.

Reflection:

This chapter is also familiar from last semester. I enjoy revisiting this because it refreshes a few ideas on how to approach poetry with my students that doesn't elicit a groan. The poems mentioned in the chapter, especially by Shel Silverstein, are some of my favorites, despite poetry NOT being a fave of mine. I can relate to the misgivings my students have about learning poetry. As a teacher/librarian, I think my biggest struggle is getting them to buy into actually enjoying it. It is going to be an uphill battle with poetry, but I think it is possible with these criteria and this development in understanding.