I feel that rhyme and meter are fundamentals in poetry. Some people say that rhyme is a constraint which places unnatural boundaries on free thought. Others argue that since free verse is easier for children to write, it’s a good starting place. I personally (and it’s simply my opinion) don’t agree. Free verse can be very beautiful, but I feel children should be introduced to it after they have learned to write poetry with structure. Children naturally tune into and respond to verse. Rhyme and meter set language patterns and vocabulary context into their minds. They will feel a real sense of accomplishment upon writing their first rhymed poem.
But how do you teach them concepts like proper meter without sounding like the poetry police? One thing I like to do is have them start out by rewriting popular nursery rhymes and songs they are probably already familiar with. Mary Had a Little Lamb, Little Miss Muffet, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star are a few examples. But when rewriting them turn them into a hilarious joke. Don’t shy away from “hee hee” bathroom humor (within limits). Allowing kids to explore the “forbidden humor” will draw them right into the lesson.
The great thing about this approach is that kids already have the meter footprint in their mind from the original poem. As you brainstorm ideas with them you can point out where their version strays from the meter of the original and help them think of rewording that fits.
Here is an example (from my upcoming book “What’s the Weather Inside” of a nursery rhyme rewritten in a new and silly way.
Miss Muffet’s Revenge
Little Miss Muffet,
sat on her tuffet
eating a yogurt parfait.
Along came a spider
who sat down beside her.
She squished it
and flicked it away.
Karma
Great ideas on poetry writing…not only do kids gain writing skills but poetry can improve reading and much more. I had sixth graders go to poetry.com website and pick a poem that appealed to them,(and approved by teacher), most were funny poems by Jack Prelutsky or Nash.Students used computer skills to copy paste and save in a document in their folder, etc.(they all told me computers were their life, but few had these basic skills) we practiced reading aloud w/a partner, and finally each kids got up in front of class and read their selected poem aloud. Every kid in the class read aloud, some were a bit scared, but they realized they could do it…humor is always good medicine. It was a a laughing, gut rolling day and good time for all. We also took some of the poems and whole class read together, putting emphasis on different words to see how the rhythm and meanings changed. (:
NO! You CANNOT change the words to this classic verse, you monster. How dare you! Who do you think you are? Make it right. Children deserve to know the truth. Don’t distort their truth and damage their education. I’m sorry, but this is NOT okay.
I’m going to assume you are kidding. If not, whoa.
K…
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