Opening Up to Poetry: Overcoming Resistance to the Poetic Form
Many students feel an initial resistance to poetry that can be difficult to overcome. This unit debunks some popular modern myths about poetry’s “high flown language” and “fancy rhyming words.” A second section presents William Carlos Williams’ The Red Wheelbarrow and typical student reaction to the work. This is a sure way to inspire students to a similar discussion and ultimate appreciation of the poem. The DVD includes a printable teacher guide featuring reproducible handouts, activities, exercises, vocabulary words, and other related materials. 23 minutes. Recommended for grades 5-12.