Teaching Poetry Through Movement, Drama & Art
Poetry Lesson Plan on How to Teach Poems to Students of all Ages
Sep 7, 2009
This article presents a clear and easy method of starting to teach poetry, by introducing it through its basics – rhythm, beat and movement. The lesson plan has been divided into “tasks”, so that teachers have a ready process from beginning to end, to help introduce poetry into their lesson and enhance the enjoyment of the students.
Teaching Poetry Demands an Excellent, Suitable Choice of Poems
Teachers should choose a poem that has a definite rhythm; one that rhymes is the best choice for this kind of class. Poems from any curriculum, personal choice, pop song, nursery rhymes for young kids, can be used depending on the age, maturity and ability of the class. Students of English as a Second Language might also enjoy this introduction to English poems, as rhythm, beat and movement are not foreign to them, and could help them understand the flow of English.
Poetry Lesson Plan to Suit the Class
Task 1: Listening. The students sit on the floor in an open space, close their eyes and listen to the poem that the teacher reads aloud to them. Emphasize that they should listen for a particular rhythm (beat of the poem).
Task 2: Discussion. Ask students what rhythm or beat they felt from the poem and why they think it affects the content of the poem. For example, a poem about war may have the rhythm of drums, or give the effect of marching, or soldiers shouting.
Task 3: Reading. Hand out a copy of the poem (to older students); ask one of them to read the poem again. This could be done in pairs, with each reading the poem to the other. With younger students, have them walk around the room to the beat of the poem while the teacher rereads the words to them.
Task 4: Writing and Discussion. Students underline words in the poem that they find effective, atmospheric, appealing, and important. In small groups the students discuss the poet's word choice. Ask young students in a conversation circle what words they remember in the poem and why they liked them.
Task 5: Drama. Have students work on and act out little plays based on the poem. This can be done in small groups, pairs, or as monologs depending on the poem and size of the class.
Adding Props to Enhance Presentation
The teacher can also ask that students prepare to read the poem to the class, adding movement, costume or props to enhance their presentation. Making props or finding ideas on how to create minimalistic ones can be found on the Internet on drama websites
Task 6: Art. Mature students can attempt to sketch or create a poster. Young children can illustrate the poem with paints or colored pencils.
Completing the Poetry Lesson by Adding Free Movement
Task 7: Dance and Free Movement. Read the poem once more and have the students move creatively, or dance, to suit the words. Ask if the poem now means more to them because it is associated with physical experience of acting, discussion, drawing and movement.
Analyzing the Poetry Lesson
An open discussion at the end of a creative lesson such as this is important for teachers and students alike. The students will be able to express what they feel and give their opinion as to whether they enjoyed the class. Teachers will be able to analyze what the students learned, and decide whether such a lesson can be done with other poems, future classes, or if changes should be made to improve or adapt this method of teaching and learning about poetry.
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