"Poems are like the flower arranging of spoken language." --Joen Bettman, "Building Spoken Language in the First Plane," NAMTA Journal, Winter, 2016
Poetry is a universal language. People all over the world read and recite poetry. From nursery rhymes to hip hop and rap and even books written in rhyme like Good Night Moon and Dr. Seuss, poetry is likely more popular than we realize.
Poetry is a great way for children to express their creativity as they explore new and inventive relationships between words. Even very young children can improve their literacy skills through the enjoyment of poetry. They help develop phonemic awareness, build vocabulary, foster awareness of sounds, rhyme, rhythm, and speech patterns, and are a great way to promote a love of language.
The Montessori classroom or homeschool environment is the perfect place to introduce children to poetry. For preschool-aged children, incorporating baskets on the child's shelf with concrete objects or visual representations of the people, places, and things represented in the poem can help bring them to life.
Here's an example from How We Montessori (pictured left).
Elementary students are often enamored by poetry and love memorizing and reciting verses for their classmates, parents, and the greater community. Maria Montessori even experimented with teaching Dante's Divine Comedy to middle school children and even to ten-year-olds! She began by reading a section of the poem to them, then they started copying and decorating sections on their own to recite. They later performed their "Dante Theatre" in Amsterdam in front of a crowd of 1,500 people.
To spread the wonder and joy of poetry and in honor of World Poetry Day (celebrated on March 21st), here are some wonderful examples of how you can incorporate poetry into your Montessori classroom or homeschool environment for children of all ages.
"I Offer you Peace" by Aline Wolf
Poetry Speaks to Children, a book and CD that includes poetry by famous poets such including Langston Hughes, Roald Dahl, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Robert Frost.
Oh, Precious Words from My Montessori Journey
Poetry Baskets from Counting Coconuts
Poem of the Week Poetry Boards by Our Montessori Home
Poetry for Kids Kit from Montessori for Everyone, including poetry guides and matching cards
"Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry" by X.J. Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Karen Lee Baker, an anthology of lively, interesting haikus, songs, and limericks.
"Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem" by Jack Prelutsky, an inside scoop from a renowned poet on how to turn your own experiences and stories about your family, your pets, and your friends into poetry.
"A Child's Introduction to Poetry: Listen While You Learn About the Magic Words That Have Moved Mountains, Won Battles, and Made Us Laugh and Cry" by Michael Discroll, a book and CD set covering everything from epics and odes to nonsense verse and haikus.
"The Random House Book of Poetry for Children" by Jack Prelutsky, a collection of 572 unforgettable poems for children with beautiful illustrations from Caldecott-winning illustrator, Arnold Lobel.
"Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out" by Ralph Fletcher, a practical guide to help young children become poets that includes writing tips and tricks, interviews with published poets, and lots of examples from published writers (some of which are even children themselves).
Poetry Pinterest Board by Living Montessori Now with activities of all types and for all ages.
Anything by Shel Silverstein - from "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "Falling Up" to "Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook", Shel Silverstein's poems are always a classroom favorite with children of all ages.
"Light a Candle for Peace" - This is a great oral poem/song that children can recite that is accompanied by beautiful hand motions and body movements.
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