The Poetry Window
I love the imagery and creative voice that kid’s find through the process of writing a poem.
Although there are many ways to approach the teaching of poetry when writing in classroom I place particular emphasis on helping my students recognize a poetic moment. I encourage them to trust their inspiration and pick up a pen and begin to write.
I was thinking about those special moments of inspiration this last week when I noticed at the end of the hallway another teacher had taped a paper archway to the window. It was labeled “Poetry Window”.
At any time her students could look out of this little archway and write a poem about whatever they saw. Since they were peering out onto a New York City street, things were changing every millisecond, but it could have been looking out anywhere at anytime and the viewer would find inspiration.
Try making a “poetry window” at home on the backdoor, out a window in the house or apartment or even the car window and see what they write. Write poems together, on alternate days or designate poetry times. Decorate the “poetry window” and move it around the house and create a collection of poems!
May 24th, 2010
