November 28th, 2017

 LIT REFLECTION #8

Poetry is a language in which man explores his own amazement. – Christopher Fry

From this quote we understand that poem is a writing that allows a person to be creative, it is not limited and restrictive, rather one is able to write about anything as they express themselves.

Although we knew a bit about poetry writing, we gained much information in this class session. To be honest, we cannot remember that we were taught the different types of poem in primary and secondary school. However, in class, we learnt that there are many different types of poems which includes: Cinquain, Haiku, Concrete, Sonnet, Limerick etc. We were also reminded of the different elements of poetry pieces, which includes; figurative devices, radiant imagery, compress language, rhythm, structure (stanza). Figurative devices and radiant imagery are used to add essence, provide clarity and paint a picture in reader’s mind.

Prior to this lesson, we knew that the length of poems varied, however we thought it was based on how much the poet wanted to write. We did not know it was based on the type chosen. Our favorite type is free verse. With free verse one is able to write how they feel without following a specific style or format. It does not necessarily has to include rhyme. We are free to express ourselves in whatever way we choose.

Additionally, we liked the way the concepts in the slides were presented with visual aids to foster understanding. Also, the different strategies that can be used to teach the different types of poems. We liked the FIVE FINGER strategy, this is a strategy we see ourselves using in our classroom and our own personal lives. This strategy can be used in the different content areas, especially in mathematics when teaching Long division. For example, to teach students the different the steps in doing Long division, which includes- divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, and review. When this strategy is used, students will know if they forget a step, because each step will be represented by a finger. It can be used in Language Arts when students are planning any piece of writing, it would allow them to plan what they want to include in their piece. 

Certainly, we liked the teachable moment that the teacher provided. This was when we were asked to use the five finger strategy to do the “I am poem”, a student did otherwise. Although the poem was well done, she was applauded and reminded that she has to follow, but instructed instruction. As simple as this was, it was a teachable moment for us. In the classroom we would meet students who do not follow instructions, however it is our duty to tell them how important it is to follow instructions and ensure we have the control over our classroom. Furthermore, we appreciated the way the teacher took the time out to model a literacy block for us. We were able to observe how it is taught which would benefit us when we go on our practicum and also as prospective teachers.

Although the lesson was excellently delivered, we think that there were few things that should have been done; For example, we think that the teacher should have plan ahead on the possible questions that students might have had and prepare for them so that she would be able to provide teachable moments for students. In addition, we would have enjoyed reading our poems in an author’s chair. We thought it would have been interesting since it was an activity we learnt about in this course. It would have been a way of utilizing what we learnt.

Indeed, the information learnt this week will be applied in our classrooms. Firstly, the different types of poems will serve as an avenue to provide our students with a variety of poems to choose from. Also, we will use the weakness identified on the lecturer’s path to better prepare ourselves to plan for our students. In that, when we are planning a lesson, we would ensure to gather possible questions that our students may ask so that we would be prepared to provide answers. Furthermore, According to psychologist Howard Gardener in Multiple Intelligence Theory, everyone is good/ intelligent in an area. So students will be given the opportunity express themselves in their area of intelligence why we give them the opportunity to choose what they would like their poems to be about.

As prospective teachers, we would have to teach poems at some point in time. In our teaching, we would introduce poems to students and let them see the characteristics and note how they are different from a letter, story, expository piece, etc. We would expose them to a type/types of poetry and let them examine the characteristics. Definitely, we would have to teach figurative devices if students do not know them. Figurative devices add to poems, it makes them more interesting, more creative and gives readers a clearer image of what the poet is trying to say in his or her piece. We would go through the poem with students first, discussing the words and terms with them which they are unfamiliar. Each line of the poem will be discussed as we encourage the students to participate. It is important that we make connections with what they are reading and their own lives.

In addition, students would be allowed to work collaboratively for their first attempt. This activity would give them the opportunity to learn from each other, and to put their ideas together to create something good. Like any piece of writing, students would engage in the writing process, where they would brainstorm, produce drafts, revise and edit their pieces. Furthermore, the students will be given the opportunity to publish their pieces in author’s/poet’s chair, display them in the classroom, create a book of poems, post them online or have a poetry reading. We would make this poetry journey an enjoyable one for them. So unlike us, they would not find poetry tedious and uninteresting, rather as a creative piece of writing. Without a doubt, we will utilize the internet to get resources and examples of poems for the students.