Teaching Poetry in the Primary Classroom

Published: 24 August, 2009

When asked by the school inspector what he thought of poetry, a pupil replied that "it's all la-di-da and daffodils, isn't it?" In his primary school the boy had come across very little poetry, poetry to him was something arcane, not really related to his own life. He had studied no powerful, challenging, contemplative, arresting, quirky poems and had written very few poems himself. His teacher admitted that he was no English specialist, had received few ideas on the teaching of poetry and didn't know where to start.

As children progress through the primary school they need to be exposed to a rich diet of poetry and encouraged to read, perform and write it themselves. Providing a varied and stimulating environment is essential if it is to flourish. In addition, children need specific guidance and ideas to start them off writing their own poems. This book, written by a former teacher, school inspector, and popular and widely published children's poet, offers an accessible, practical and structured programme for the teaching of this sometimes neglected aspect of the English curriculum.

FIVE LITTLE OWLS
Five little owls in an old oak tree,
Fluffy and puffy as owls could be,
Blinking and winking with big round eyes
At the big round moon that hangs in the skies.
As I passed by I could hear one say,
"There'll be mouse for supper, there will, today!"
Then all of them hooted, "Tu-whit, tu-whoo,
Yes, mouse for supper, hoo hoo, hoo hoo!"
Gervase Phinn

Professor Gervase Phinn taught in a range of schools for fourteen years before becoming an education adviser and school inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster, writer and a consultant for the Open University. He is President of The School Library Association.

Teaching Poetry in the Primary Classroom
Gervase Phinn
isbn: 978-184590130-1, £19.99

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