As I plan our school days I fantasize about how the day may go.
The other day while at the book store I came across a book / CD set of 20th century American poets for only $20. What a deal. I bought it as I envisioned reading to the kids about these poets an then spending a quiet December morning listening to the poems. After some time outside sledding we would come in, discuss the poems over hot chocolate and draw pictures.
I didn't know any of the poets in the set but then my taste in poetry is older, or Native.
Reality hit. The book is dull, the CD is copies of recordings of people reading the poems. Perhaps the poets themselves. This proved to be way to dry for the kids. I wasn't exactly inspired either.
iPhone to the rescue. I pulled up Edward Allen Poe's "The Raven". We got through it. I enjoyed reading it. Runner thought it was the longest poem ever. They were not hanging off my every word but they listened. Later we discussed it. Not the intellectual discussion of a speak easy but they had listened enough to deduct it was about either ghosts or zombies.
Yes, Poe in the eyes Of kids is like ancient Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They are making pics of the bedroom from the poem. My Kids are not always thrilled with drawing. SW struggles with this on an intellectual level (he has an ASD) and Ko-Ko prefers art that includes glue or scissors. I will be better prepared for her next time but we are out of glue.
Runner is putting in a great deal of detail and is drawing a candle chandelier. Despite his detail he likes stick people because "they are so in right now". I believe this is thanks to games like stick wars and potty racers.
I think next we will do "The Night Before Christmas" and invest in a copy of "Falling Up" (poems for kids). Sunny Not loved these.
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We love Shel Silverstein! That's where I started when introducing my kids to poetry, and I had them each pick a poem to memorize. Now we are reading and discussing other poems, and I try to get them to memorize one at least every other month or so. Even the 3-year-old joins in!
ReplyDeleteSilverstein would have been the smart place to start :)
ReplyDeleteDespite his detail he likes stick people because "they are so in right now".
ReplyDeleteThis line had me falling out of my chair laughing! So funny the things kids say.
I have to agree that Shel Silverstein is the way to begin poetry with kids. I had all his books growing up and would read them over and over. I still remember some of the poems and it gave me a great love of poetry.
I didn't really appreciate Poe until Junior High when I could enjoy the darkness of his work.
yes that comment left me in one of those bad Mom moments where I am laughing at my child...I try but sometimes they are too funny.
ReplyDelete