More Than Fluff

by Amy Shultz

Poetry Links How Do We Inspire Poetry Could I REALLY Be a Poet Someday? More Than Fluff Literacy Through Poetry in Primary Grades White Knuckles A Poetry Connection Framed & Hung: a Poem genre description poetry prompts tech tips for poetry

The study of poetry is more than a “fluff” unit to try to squeeze in at the end of the year. Poetry gives you the opportunity to lay important groundwork for good writing. Consider the following benefits:

Poetry gives practice in:

• using the five senses
• recognizing and creating voice
• identifying and using figurative language
• choosing words carefully for different effects
• being concise in communicating
• focusing on a specific theme or format
• more painlessly refining, polishing, and proofreading
• reinforcing grammar
• expressing emotions and opinions through writing

Indiana Academic Standards require that 3rd-5th grade students:

• Read a wide variety of fiction, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy or science fiction, folklore or mythology, poetry or songs, plays, and others.
• Recognize different common genres (types) of literature, such as poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction.
• Recognize that certain words and rhythmic patterns can be used in a selection to imitate sounds.
• Review, evaluate, and revise writing for meaning and clarity.
• Use varied word choices to make writing interesting.
• Identify the musical elements of literary language, such as rhymes, repeated sounds, and instances of onomatopoeia.
• Read prose and poetry aloud with fluency, rhythm, and timing, using appropriate changes in the tone of voice to emphasize important passages of the text being read.
• Plan and present dramatic interpretations of experiences, stories, poems, or plays.
• Apply knowledge of synonyms antonyms, homographs, idioms, to determine the meaning of words and phrases.
• Select a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view based upon purpose, audience, length, and format requirements for a piece of writing.
• Recite brief poems soliloquies or dramatic dialogues, clearly stating words and using appropriate timing, volume, and phrasing.
• Identify and analyze the characteristics of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction and explain the appropriateness of the literary forms chosen by an author for a specific purpose.
• Describe the function and effect of common literary devices, such as imagery, metaphor, and symbolism.

Amy Shultz

Amy Shultz, former fourth grade teacher, works as a facilitator for the Buddy Teaching and Learning Center. She also writes for The Write Connection newsletter and The Writing Site, under the Buddy System Project.

This featured article appeared in Volume 1, Number 3 issue of the Write Connections quarterly newsletter. View other archived newsletters , a topical organization of all newsletters, or sign-up to receive notification when the next newsletters are ready to download.