Using Poetry to Promote EFL Literacy

Susan KellyShandong University of Science & Technology

Reading Poems

• Choral reading• Multiple readings• Hunting for . . . Grammar, sounds,

etc.

Fog

The fog comeson little cat feet. It sits lookingover harbor and cityon silent haunchesand then moves on. Carl Sandburg

Perfect

Today I managed something that I’ve never done before. I turned in this week’s spelling quiz and got a perfect score. Although my score was perfect, it appears I’m not too bright. I got a perfect zero— not a single answer right.

by Kenn Nesbitt

Thirty Days Hath September

Thirty days hath September,April, June, and November;February has twenty-eight alone,All the rest have thirty-one,Excepting leap-year, that’s the timeWhen February’s days are twenty-nine.

by Anonymous

Some Poetry Sources

• www.poetry.com – “Greatest Children’s Poems List”

http://poetry.com/greatest-childrens-poems/?page=1

• www.poets.org

Writing Poems

List Poems: Colors

• Simple• First year middle school students can

write these• Make a “Rainbow of Poems” book

Things that are Black

My umbrellaA catInkNightMy hairMy new shoesFear

From “Happiness Is”HAPPINESS IS FINDING A PENCIL.

TELLING THE TIME.

TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

HAPPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.

KNOWING A SECRET.

CLIMBING A TREE.

HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.

CATCHING A FIREFLY. SETTING HIM FREE.

HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.

AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN. by C. Schultz

Boring things

Rainy daysHistory sometimesLong, long drivesSome booksCleaning the house

“If” Poems

More lists

If I were the sun

If I were sun I would lighten the gloomy corners I would warm the cold places I would render human sunshine I would give hope

If I were a cloud

I would travel everywhere I want to goI would float in the air feeling freeI would keep out the burning sun to

take a cool day to peopleI would become dark and take the rain

to water plants

If I were Spiderman

I would leap onto roofs and vault over walls

I would move between skyscrapersI would attack the evil power as fast as

I canI would protect my city Benjamin

Wish Lists

My wishes

I wish I had a red car to driveI wish I had a soft bed to sleep inI wish I had a little dog to play withI wish I had a computer to surf the netI wish I had a chocolate to eat -- Alice

Luna’s Wishes

I wish I could be a super to fly in the skyI wish I could be a good family member to

make my familyI wish I had a house beside the sea to see

beautiful sceneryI wish I could write my own music for people

to enjoyI wish I could have a useful bicycle to ride to

travel around the country

Getting to Know You

Biographical Poems

Na Dai

Na DaiTrusting, honest, generous, braveDaughter of Chang sheng Dai and Cuiying ZhaoLover of parents, brothers, and friendsWho feels sad when someone laughs at herWho needs care and love every secondWho gives someone helpWho fears losing friendsWho would like to buy many beautiful clothesResident of JinanDai

Bo Liu

BoInteresting, intelligent and energeticSon of Jingcai and LirongLover of his parents, teachers and friendsWho feels happy to learn new thingsWho needs more sleepWho fears getting lostWho would like to visit EuropeResident of QingdaoLiu

Format for Biographical Poems

Given NameAdjective, adjective, adjective, adjectiveDaughter/Son of Father’s name and Mother’s nameLover of . . . Who feels . . .Who needs . . .Who gives . . . Who fears . . .Who would likeResident of HometownFamily name

“I am” Poems

I am curious and shyI wonder about the

starsI hear fairies laughI see the Emerald

CityI want to make sureI am curious and shy

I pretend I am fearless

I feel a wizard’s power

I touch magical coinI worry about

injusticeI cry for lost childrenI am curious and shy

“I Am” Model

I am [2 traits]I wonder [a curiosity]I hear [imaginary

sound]I see [imaginary

sight]I want [real desire]I am [repeat line 1]

I pretend . . .I feel [imagined

feeling]I touch [imaginary

thing]I see [imaginary

sight]I worry [real worry]I am [repeat line 1]

Preposition Poems

• Show a progression, a journey• Each line begins with a preposition

Getting to Class

Out the doorDown the stairsThrough the gateAcross campusBy the old treeUp the stairs In the elevatorUp, up, upIn the doorAt my desk

Picture Poems

ATALL

LONELY OAK TREE

WINDS HOWLLEAVES SHAKEN

DO WN

TO THE DRY GROUND

Poems for Two Voices

Graduation Poem for Twoby Stephanie Klose

I am a teacherI am a student

Twenty years my tradeSeven classrooms

Fourteen classrooms

Seven hundred studentsFourteen teachers

Have touched my lifeEveryday I comeMy choice, my call

Have touched my lifeEveryday I come

They make me . . .

I’m a motherI’m a daughter

I like to tell her how to do almost everything correctly

but

I’m tired of being urged again and again everydaybut

I understand that she really cares for me

I understand that she really cares for me

I want her to work hard I want to have more

time just for myself

Possibilities

Grandmother Child

City Dweller Person in the country

Scientist Artist

Pet Owner

Assessment

Traits I Use

• Careful thought• Grammar• Word Choice• Presentation

Sharing Poems

• Class Books, School Literary Magazines• Author’s or Poet’s Chair• Readings for other classes, parents• Contests

– British Council– http://www.poetry.com/poetry-contests/

• Lulu.com sponsors the above

• Publications

A Winner, British Council 2008 Contest Computer

I am a computer, I work too quickE-mail and Internet, an easy click.Tickety Tickety TickIf you touch me, I’m so smooth, If you punch me, I’ll blowIf you clean me, I’ll glowI’m like your assistant.When I’m happy, I give you a BeepWhen something goes wrong, I go Boop.That’s all I do.

By Cyril Kumaar, aged 8, from China.

Good Websites

http://www.poetry-archive.com/s/fog.html

http://www.poets.orghttp://www.readwritethink.org

ReferencesBunch, S., (2009). “Teaching Poetry to ESL Students: Using

Poems to Boost English Language Skills.” Retrieved from http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com

Covert, B., (n.d.). Picture Poetry, Retrieved from http://edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_27_79.html

Hadawayn, N. et al. (May, 2001). “Scaffolding Oral Language Development through Poetry for Students Learning English” The Reading Teacher, Embracing Pluralism Worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20204994

Koch, K. (1973). "Rose, Where Did You Get That Red?" New York: Random House.

Schultz, C. (2006). “Happiness is a Warm Puppy.” ME: Cider Mill Press.

Stevens, R., Shape Poems, retrieved from http://www.poetryclass.net/poemterm.htm