Kate Williams

Hi, this is my new, daily Teach Poetry blog, with tips from my own findings as a poetry workshop leader for schools.

Tip 4: Take the scary out of ‘poetry’

Often, when I enter a classroom, an anxious child will step up to warn me that they aren’t very good at poetry, or ‘can’t do’ it. Glancing round the room, I often see that worry reflected in other faces too. That said, these tend to be the very same individuals who won’t stop writing at the end, even with playtime or dinner to lure them!

So take care not to make heavy weather of the term, but mention it sparingly and informally. Show them some colourfully illustrated poems in a big, bright collection, or quote from a poem or rhyme that your class know and love.




What? Poetry???

Perhaps even keep the word for later in the process, when they’ve written their verses. Talk about words, rhymes, ideas and feelings, but skip over that worry-word ‘poetry’ until they’re all thoroughly on board and enthused – if need be, until they’re well into poems of their own creation! They’ll be amazed and thrilled, at that point, to discover that what they’re writing is one of those dreaded things!

Have fun – ALL of you!

And while I’m here – a cheeky question – have you pre-ROAR-dered that
Squeak! Squawk! Roar! book yet? Just asking for an animal. 😁

Kate