First Grade Buzzzz - Poetry Corner

Poetry is one of the most wonderful ways to help a child experience and enhance language learning.

Activities in poetry can help your child: LOVE LANGUAGE DEVELOP LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS AID IN MEMORY DEVELOPMENT INCREASE VOCABULARY STIMULATE THE IMAGINATION DEVELOP PHONEMIC AWARENESS IMPROVE IN WRITING, SPELLING AND PHONICS
Here are some suggestions for using the poetry and chants you may find in your child's poetry folder that is brought home each Wednesday, and in poetry books you have at home or ones I hope you will check out from the library during first grade. When you read poetry with your child, also include poems with a reading level higher than first grade that you will need to read. It is a fun way to grow! Read the poem with your child for pure enjoyment. Play with the poem. Use different voices, at different speeds, clap on key words, etc. Focus on meaning, concepts and vocabulary. Talk about new words or ideas found in the poem. Pay attention to elements of phonemic awareness. Help your child listen for rhyming words, words that begin/end the same, words with many parts, etc. Focus on phonics. Print out the poem or write it out. Cover letters and ask what letters are missing; cover a word and ask what word is missing. Connect poetry to writing. Write a new verse for a poem. Have your child dictate the new verse to you as you type it. Print it. Let your child illustrate the "new" poem and bring it to school to read and share!
Keep a Poem in Your Pocket by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers Keep a poem in your pocket and a picture in your head and you'll never feel lonely at night when you're in bed. The little poem will sing to you and the little picture bring to you a dozen dreams to dance to you at night when you're in bed So- Keep a picture in your pocket and a poem in your head and you'll never feel lonely at night when you're in bed.