In general, poetry seems to be a fairly neglected topic in today’s classrooms.
Reasons for this may be multiple1 and it is probably difficult to determine
universally valid explanations. It does not make a difference whether it is poetry
in the mother tongue or poetry in a foreign language; it just seems that poetry in
general does not seem to be very popular. Skipping through the current
schoolbooks the impression occurs that poetry only plays a subordinate role.
Also, when under time pressure and the necessity to drop certain topics, poetry
seems to be among the first ones to be dropped. The question arises whether this
is due to teachers who never found access to poetry? The extra effort it might
take to prepare for a poetry lesson? Or is it lacking courage to approach a topic
that seems to be unpopular? It is up to teachers to either inspire or discourage
pupils when it comes to poetry. This inspiration or discouragement may last a
lifetime.
Many pupils probably consider poetry as ‘un-cool’. But in the time of events like
literature and poetry slams, which are highly enjoyed by many pupils and
students, it should be worth re-thinking the attitude about poetry and to bring
poetry to the classrooms.
With this paper I would like to show approaches, activities and ideas how
teachers can make poetry more popular in the classroom.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- A brief outline about poetry and literature in the curriculum
- Poetry in the classroom - Why?
- Poetry in the 'Unterstufe'
- Exercises & Aims
- Poetry in the 'Mittelstufe'
- Exercises & Aims
- Conclusion
- Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore ways in which teachers can make poetry more popular and engaging in the classroom. It examines the challenges associated with integrating poetry into the curriculum, particularly in the context of a German Gymnasium setting. The paper then proposes specific approaches, activities, and ideas to make poetry more appealing and relevant to students.
- The role of poetry in the German Gymnasium curriculum
- Strategies for making poetry more engaging for students
- Examples of activities and exercises suitable for different age groups
- The importance of adapting teaching methods to the needs and interests of students
- The potential for interdisciplinary projects involving poetry
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction highlights the underrepresentation of poetry in classrooms and explores possible reasons for this phenomenon. It emphasizes the importance of teachers inspiring or discouraging students' engagement with poetry, which can have a lasting impact.
- A brief outline about poetry and literature in the curriculum: This chapter analyzes the German Gymnasium curriculum and its implications for teaching poetry. It examines how the curriculum defines and incorporates poetry within its broader framework for literature and language acquisition. The chapter explores the challenges of interpreting the curriculum's guidelines in relation to poetry.
- Poetry in the classroom - Why?: This chapter delves into the benefits of teaching poetry in the classroom. It discusses the cognitive, emotional, and social advantages of engaging with poetic language and form. The chapter may also explore the relevance of poetry to contemporary issues and student interests.
- Poetry in the 'Unterstufe': This chapter focuses on strategies and activities specifically designed for younger students. It proposes engaging exercises and techniques to introduce and explore poetry with younger learners.
- Poetry in the 'Mittelstufe': This chapter explores approaches to teaching poetry in higher grades. It examines how teachers can incorporate more complex poetic forms and themes, and how they can encourage deeper analysis and critical thinking about poetry.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include: poetry, literature, curriculum, Gymnasium, teaching methods, student engagement, poetry analysis, creative writing, interdisciplinary projects, and authentic texts. The paper focuses on bridging the gap between traditional approaches to poetry instruction and contemporary trends in education, aiming to create more engaging and relevant learning experiences for students.
- Quote paper
- Annette Jansen (Author), 2011, Poetry in the classroom , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/182325
