Jenny Williams and Sandra Rowan explain why all students need to learn poetry. They help teachers to implement the poetry aspects of the NSW K-6 English syllabus.
Poetry is best words, in the best order, about something important… Poetry improves vocabulary and … it’s a short text normally, that kids can manage because they can write briefly, rather than long essay type writing.
…Poetry is also about playing with words, and so we can have a lot of fun with words… We have a mandate to teach poetry in every stage… it’s small manageable chunks, it’s often about emotion and so everyone can relate to it… The message of the poet can be very powerful.
Jenny Williams and Sandra Rowan
Note for listeners: This episode was originally recorded for the JPL Podcast, hence the references to the JPL Podcast throughout.