Poetry

 Poetry is this first form of literacy work that children hear as an infant. Children grow up learning lullabies and even nursery rhymes that are both forms of poetry. Teachers can use poetry in many different content areas! Teachers can use poetry as a way to teach students new information when reading and writing. Poetry helps teach students how powerful word choice can be. It also allows students to reflect on anything and everything that they can imagine. Poetry doesn't have any limits or rules when creating. It can sometimes be difficult to interpret without understanding the author's perspective.  Students need to be exposed at an early age to formations of poetry. If students are not exposed to poetry, they can lack the understanding as they begin to write poems and other related literacy contents of poetry.  
Key points that poetry should do: 

• Nurture a love and appreciation of powerful language. 
• Engage children in a new understanding of the world around them.
• Broaden their experiences with new concepts.
• Validate life experience.
• Provide opportunities of all cultural backgrounds to develop. 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

This book has more of a make believe story line. It is considered poetry because of the flowing word choices that are expressed throughout the story. The story is about how characters are damaging the environment. The storyline is read as if you are watching events take place but cannot help it. It is a great way to show students the harm in “chopping down trees” , and the effects of taking advantage of the natural beauty of the earth.

Poetry for Young People by Langston Hughes

This is an interesting book that includes twenty six different poems. The topic includes African American culture and experiences. Students can learn about the hardship people of this time faced as well as events that were uplifting. This book would be great to teach student about other cultures by having students listen to the bright imagery expressed in this book.

                                         Falling Up by: Shel Silverstein

 This is a book filled with corky poetry for young adults. In this book you will find ridiculous, over the top, poems about almost every topic that you can think of. The poems are about topics that any student can relate too. It has a sense of empowerment for the reader as you read along.