using poetry to promote efl literacy susan kelly shandong university of science & technology
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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