Today I’d like to share some insights about how humorous poetry can supercharge kids’ literacy skills. So, get ready to discover why giggles and grins are secret weapons in the battle for better reading and how you can create more literary laughter in the classroom!
The Power of Humor in Learning
We all know that learning is easier when it’s fun, right? Well, humor takes that idea and kicks it up a notch! When kids laugh, their brains release chemicals that make them feel good. This good feeling makes them want to keep reading, even if reading is usually tough for them. It’s like their brain is saying, “Hey, this is awesome! Let’s do more!”
Today we’re going to talk about something super cool that can make your writing pop off the page: using “imagery.” Don’t worry if imagery is a new word to you—it just means using words that help your readers imagine what’s happening in your poem or story. It’s like painting a picture with words!
Even though “imagery” may sound like the word “images” (meaning pictures, or things that you see), it’s more than just that. It’s about things you take in with any of your five senses.
As the new school year begins, you’re likely looking for creative ways to inspire your students and ignite their passion for reading and writing. What better way to do that than by bringing an award-winning children’s author directly into your classroom—virtually, of course!
Each year, I visit hundreds of schools around the world through live, interactive online sessions. My virtual author visits are more than just a reading event; they’re high-energy, funny, and educational experiences designed to leave your students excited about picking up a pen and writing their own stories and poems.
I’ve always been fascinated by how the changing seasons inspire creativity and wonder in young minds. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how seasonal poetry can transform a classroom, turning abstract concepts of time and change into tangible, enjoyable learning experiences. Today, I’d like to share some thoughts on how we can use seasonal verses to enhance learning and create memorable moments throughout the school year.
As a children’s poet, I’ve seen firsthand how poetry can transform the way kids understand and express their emotions. Over my years of writing for children and visiting schools, I’ve witnessed countless young faces light up as they discover the power of poetic expression. Today, I want to share some insights on how poetry can be a fantastic tool for building emotional intelligence in children.
Today, we’re going to explore the three main categories of poems: Narrative, Lyric, and Descriptive poetry. Think of these as the three flavors of ice cream in the poetry shop. Each one is delicious in its own way, and knowing about them can help you enjoy poetry even more!
Before we dive in, it’s important to understand that these big categories we’re going to explore are different from specific poetic “forms” you might have heard of, like limericks, sonnets, or diamantes.
Think of it this way: if poetry were music, the categories we’re discussing (Narrative, Lyric, and Descriptive) would be like genres of music—hip hop, rock, or classical. The specific forms, on the other hand, are more like the instruments—guitar, piano, or drums. Just as you can play rock music on a guitar or a piano, you can write a narrative poem as a sonnet or a limerick. These categories describe what the poem does, while forms describe how the poem is structured. Make sense? Now, let’s explore these categories!
Today, let’s dive into how nature-themed poems can help connect kids with the environment, boost their observation skills, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the wonders of our planet.
The Magic of Nature Poetry
There’s something truly special about nature poetry. It has the power to capture the beauty, mystery, and complexity of the natural world in a way that resonates deeply with readers of all ages. For children, nature poetry can be a gateway to discovering the marvels of the environment around them, encouraging them to look closer, listen more carefully, and engage more fully with nature.
Benefits of Introducing Kids to Nature Poetry
Enhanced Observation Skills: Nature poems often focus on specific details of animals, plants, seasons, etc., encouraging children to pay closer attention to the world around them.
Increased Environmental Awareness: Through poetry, kids can learn about different ecosystems, animals, and natural phenomena in an engaging way.
Emotional Connection to Nature: Poems can evoke feelings of wonder, respect, and care for the environment, fostering a personal connection to nature.
Vocabulary Expansion: Nature poetry introduces children to new words related to flora, fauna, and natural processes.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Nature poems can tie into science lessons, creating cross-curricular connections.
Creativity Boost: Reading and writing nature poetry can inspire children’s imagination and creative expression.
Mindfulness Practice: Nature poems often encourage a moment of quiet reflection, helping kids develop mindfulness skills.
Fantastic Nature Poets for Kids
There are so many wonderful poets who write about nature for children. Here are just a few that I highly recommend:
Deborah Ruddell: In Today at the Bluebird Cafe, Ruddell crafts whimsical, accessible poems about various birds.
Charles Ghigna: Also known as “Father Goose,” Ghigna’s books of nature poetry, such as Animal Tracks and his My Little Planet series, are both playful and insightful.
Douglas Florian: His collections, like Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs and Windsongs: Poems about Weather focus on specific groups of animals or features of nature, combining clever wordplay with scientific facts and beautiful illustrations.
These poets, among many others, have a knack for capturing nature’s essence in ways that resonate with young readers.
Bringing Nature Poetry into Daily Life
Now, you might be wondering, “How can I use nature poetry to help kids connect with the environment?” Here are some ideas:
Poetry Nature Walks: Take kids on a walk and encourage them to jot down observations. Later, help them turn these notes into poems.
Animal of the Week: Feature a different animal each week, reading poems about it and encouraging kids to write their own.
Plant a Poetry Garden: Create a garden and label plants with short poems about them.
Nature Journal: Encourage kids to keep a journal where they can write poems about their nature observations.
Poetry Field Guide: Have children create their own field guide to local plants or animals, including both factual information and original poems.
Nature Poetry Performances: Organize events where children can recite nature poems, perhaps in an outdoor setting.
Writing Nature Poetry with Kids
Encouraging children to write their own nature poems can be a powerful way to deepen their connection with the environment. Here are some tips:
Start with Observation: Encourage kids to use all their senses when observing nature.
Use Concrete Images: Guide children to describe specific details rather than general impressions.
Incorporate Movement: Have kids act out the natural elements they’re writing about.
Play with Perspective: Suggest writing from the point of view of an animal or plant.
Experiment with Forms: Try different poetic forms like haiku, cinquain, or acrostic poems.
The Bigger Picture
By introducing children to nature poetry, we’re doing more than just teaching them about literature or science. We’re helping them develop a personal, emotional connection to the natural world. This connection is crucial in fostering environmental stewardship and raising a generation that cares deeply about protecting our planet.
Moreover, the skills developed through engaging with nature poetry—keen observation, descriptive language use, and appreciation for detail—are valuable across all areas of learning and life.
Nature poetry offers a unique and powerful way to connect kids with the environment. It encourages them to slow down, observe closely, and express their experiences with the natural world. Whether reading the work of established poets or creating their own verses, children can develop a deeper appreciation for nature through poetry.
So, I encourage parents, teachers, and caregivers to bring more nature poetry into children’s lives. Take a poem on your next nature walk. Start your science lessons with a relevant verse. Encourage kids to write about the birds at the feeder or the changes in the seasons.
Remember, every poem about nature is a small act of preservation—capturing a moment, an observation, a wonder. By fostering a love for nature poetry in children, we’re not just raising good readers or writers—we’re nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards, one verse at a time.
Here’s to the power of poetry in connecting kids with the magnificent, mysterious, and endlessly inspiring world of nature!
Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.
Throughout the school year, I visit many, many schools around the world virtually through Zoom, Meet, Teams, Skype, WebEx, etc. In other words, I can visit your class or your school online whenever it’s convenient for you, for a fee.
However, if your class or school would like to visit with me, but you don’t have a budget for virtual field trips, I also provide webinars in conjunction with Streamable Learning, the leading provider of interactive livestreams in the K-12 market in the US and Canada. Through quality educational content and an easy-to-use platform, Streamable Learning aims to in introduce interactive livestreams as a valuable supplemental tool for classrooms and families seeking to inspire and educate their K-12 students.
During the 2024-25 school year, I will be doing nearly two dozen online webinars, including interactive poetry-writing lessons and programs on famous children’s poets from Dr. Seuss to Shel Silverstein. Schools are invited to join any of these sessions for free as my guest.
Streamable Learning and Zoom
Streamable Learning offers a convenient, cost-effective, and comprehensive calendar of interactive livestreams delivered by subject matter experts and designed to supplement your existing and future lesson plans. To discover hundreds of engaging, educational programs, have a look a their Livestream Calendar.
I have been offering interactive poetry livestreams through Streamable Learning for several years now, and I hope you’ll be able to join me this year. You can register and participate in as many of these upcoming sessions as you like.
If you would like to attend one of my programs, or to see full program descriptions, please click on the links in the Program Title column.
When you click on the link, you will need to fill out just a few items and once you have finished the form, you will then receive an email with the livestream link. If you do not, please check your spam folder. It is possible that the livestream link will end up there. To join the program, you will need to install the Zoom app. You can download this free app at www.zoom.us/download and click on “Zoom Client for Meetings.” If you have any difficulty, contact carlos.palomo@clickvieweducation.com.
If you would prefer to arrange a private interactive videoconference for your class or school only, simply click here to schedule an online author visit. I look forward to seeing your students online!
I’m excited to share a few of my haiku that I wrote for Scholastic Storyworks 3, a multi-genre classroom magazine for Grade 3. These short, vivid poems capture playful scenes from nature—a dragonfly dodging a frog’s tongue, a bug’s zigzagging flight, and the peaceful murkiness of a turtle’s pond.
The incredibly detailed illustrations by Andy Elkerton bring each haiku to life, making the connection between poetry and nature even more tangible for young readers. Students can explore the beauty of haiku and even try writing their own by focusing on the small wonders of the natural world.
Today I’d like to explore a topic that’s close to my heart: using poetry performances to boost public speaking skills in elementary classrooms. As someone who’s had the joy of performing poetry for countless young audiences, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this combination can be. So, let’s dive into the world of poetic performances and discover how they can help our young learners become confident, articulate speakers!
The Power of Poetry Performance
There’s something magical that happens when a child stands up and recites a poem. It’s not just about memorizing words—it’s about bringing those words to life, conveying emotion, and connecting with an audience. This process can be transformative, helping children develop crucial skills that extend far beyond the realm of poetry.
Benefits of Poetry Recitation
Confidence Building: Standing in front of peers and delivering a poem helps children build self-confidence. Each successful recitation is a small victory that contributes to a child’s overall self-esteem.
Vocal Skills: Reciting poetry helps children develop clarity of speech, proper enunciation, and effective use of volume and tone.
Body Language: Through poetry performance, children learn the importance of eye contact, posture, and gestures in communication.
Memorization: The process of memorizing poems exercises the brain and improves overall memory skills.
Emotional Intelligence: Interpreting and conveying the emotions in a poem helps children better understand and express their own feelings.
Literary Appreciation: Performing poetry deepens a child’s understanding and appreciation of language and literature.
Overcoming Stage Fright: Regular poetry recitations can help children become more comfortable with public speaking, reducing anxiety over time.
Implementing Poetry Performances in the Classroom
Now, you might be wondering, “This sounds great, but how do I actually make it happen in my classroom?” Here are some ideas to get you started:
Start Small: Begin with short, simple poems and gradually increase complexity as students gain confidence.
Group Recitations: Have the whole class or select groups of students recite poems together before asking for individual volunteers. This can help ease anxiety for more hesitant students. Take a look at the Poetry Theater section of the Activities page on this website for ways that two or three students can perform poems together.
Themed Poetry Days: Organize special days where students perform poems related to a specific theme, such as animals, friends and family, or holidays.
Cross-Curricular Connections: Incorporate poems related to topics in other subjects, like science or history, to reinforce learning across the curriculum.
Record Performances: Use video to record students’ performances. This allows them to see their progress over time and can be a wonderful keepsake for families.
Tips for Successful Poetry Recitations
To help your students make the most of their poetry performances, I’ve written an article called “How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert.” It’s full of tips and tricks that can help turn a good recitation into a great one. Here are a few key points:
Understand the Poem: Encourage students to really think about what the poem means. Understanding leads to better interpretation and delivery.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Regular practice is key to a confident performance.
Speak Clearly and Slowly: Remind students that it’s not a race. Clear enunciation is more important than speed.
Use Appropriate Emotion: Help students identify the emotions in the poem and express them through their voice and facial expressions.
Make Eye Contact: Teach students to look at their audience, not just the floor or the ceiling.
Use Natural Gestures: Encourage students to use hand movements and body language that feel natural and enhance the poem’s meaning.
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, implementing poetry performances isn’t without its challenges. Some students may be shy or resistant to the idea of public speaking. Here are some ways to address these issues:
Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks and make mistakes.
Offer Choices: Allow students to choose poems they connect with personally. This can increase their motivation to perform.
Provide Alternatives: For extremely anxious students, consider allowing them to record their recitations or perform for a smaller group initially.
Celebrate Effort: Focus on improvement and effort rather than perfection. Every step towards confident public speaking should be celebrated.
The Long-Term Impact
The skills developed through poetry performances extend far beyond the elementary classroom. By helping students become confident public speakers at a young age, we’re setting them up for success in high school, college, and their future careers. Plus, we’re instilling a love for language and literature that can last a lifetime.
Integrating poetry performances into elementary classrooms is a powerful way to develop public speaking skills, boost confidence, and foster a love for language. It’s not just about creating good speakers—it’s about empowering children to find their voices and share them with the world.
So, I encourage you to bring the joy of poetry performance into your classrooms. Start small, be patient, and watch as your students blossom into confident, articulate speakers. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next great orator or poet laureate!
Remember, every great speaker started with a single word, and every confident performance began with a shaky first step. Here’s to the power of poetry and the amazing potential it can unlock in our young learners!
Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.
