Quick tip–read rhyme until you’re sick of it!

Karma — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:39:58 +0000

You all know I write rhyming books. I am a huge advocate of reading rhyme to kids–but remember read it until the child has it memorized. The great power in rhyme for kids is that good rhyme is easily committed to memory. Once a child remembers a rhyme every word in the poem or story is locked in their mind forever in context–which is what makes rhyme such a great vocabulary builder. But if you just read a rhyming story one or two times chances are it won’t work it’s way into the old brain cells permanently. So read, read, read the story over and over again. And again. And yes, again. Eventually your child will be able to read the story to you.

Really, you’ll thank me someday! Hee hee.

K….

Poetry lesson for kids….

Karma — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:17:16 +0000

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

Good Karma » Parenting

Quick tip–read rhyme until you’re sick of it!

Poetry lesson for kids….