Making Poetry Part of Your Read Aloud Repertoire

I think poetry is often an overlooked genre when parents look for a good text for reading aloud.  But, reading aloud poetry can be so much fun and it can help your child’s ability to read as well.  Poetry is a lively use of language and should be read aloud for pure enjoyment.  Here are a few tips on ways to incorporate poetry into your read aloud repertoire:

• Choose poems that will engage your children.
• Read the poem slowly and with meaning.  Emphasize words.  Allow the cadence of the poem to shine through.
• Talk about how the words rhyme and how the poet used the words to convey meaning (depending on the age of your child).
• If your child is able to read, have him or her read aloud a poem or two to you.  This will help build fluency within a reader.
• Just have fun with it!  Be silly and enjoy the poems!

If you are interested in more complex ways to incorporate poetry, I reviewed poetry picture books at Picture This!  Teaching with Picture Books last month.  I reviewed Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes, R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet, Poetry Speaks to Children, and Paint Me a Poem: Poems Inspired by Masterpieces of Art.

Dawn Little (aka Links to Literacy) also blogs at www.teachingwithpicturebooks.wordpress.com where she provides educators with picture book lessons based on comprehension strategies and the Six Traits of Writing.  In addition, she blogs at www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com where she provides educators and parents with tips and tools to enhance the literacy lives of children.  She is the founder and owner of Links to Literacy, a company dedicated to providing interactive literacy experiences for children and families.  Find out more at www.linkstoliteracy.com