Poetry for young readers

Like many people, I used to view poetry with trepidation. My high school memories of reading poetry were less about 'reading' the poetry than 'analyzing' the poetry. I was never encouraged to actually enjoy the poetry, especially in my grade school and junior high school years. But I can say from first-hand experience that children's poetry is changing attitudes toward poetry.

As a 3rd grade teacher, I love using poetry to teach so many aspects of language arts, not just POETRY SKILLS! Using poetry is a wonderful way to teach imagery, word study, literary devices like alliteration and assonance, and most significantly, metaphors and imagery. Children's poetry is written for every subject and topic under the sun; just a few years ago, Locomotive by Brian Floca , is an amazing poetic tribute and history of the creation of the American railroad and won the Caldecott Medal in 2013. Poems are written about bugs, dirty laundry, pirates and princesses. Reluctant readers often devour children's poetry because it is short, rhythmic, and often humorous.

One of my most powerful moments teaching occurred when I was reading Christina Rosetti's short poem Caterpillar to my 3rd graders. We were talking about poetic elements and imagery, and I was trying to teach them how poetry can create pictures in our minds and more. Then I asked if any of the students attended church. Some raised their hands, so I read it again and when I finished, I asked the students to think about what they may have been taught about in church about someone who died and was born again. Most of them looked confused but one boy paused and I swear, I could see the wheels turning, then looked up and said "Jesus!" Now, Rosetti did not write children's poetry as we know it, and to think that an eight year old boy was able to make this kind of connection was a thrilling moment for me. I've shared the poem on the left.

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