If play is the foundation of learning, playing with words must be the foundation of writing. Dada Poetry is a wonderful way to liberate language and have fun with writing. Why? Because it is form of poetry with no form, no rules, no order. It is chaotic and creative, and children love it! So what is Dada Poetry? Dada Poetry Writing Activity - 10-15 mins 1. Each child writes a couple of words on separate pieces of paper. Any word. No limit (though I say no toilet-humour words but a true Dada artist would create no such rule). 2. Fold up the pieces of paper. 3. Place in bag. 4. Lucky dip one word at a time and write it on a board. 5. Watch as the random line appears. At some random point start a new line. 6. Form a random poem of random words and read aloud. It will be funny. Yes it is, according to Carol Ann Duffy, the UK's Poet Laureate. Read her persuasive argument for celebrating the fun and creative potential of mobile language.
Here is an amazing film from NASA showing a beautiful plasma shower on the surface of the sun. I have used this to write a whole-class poem in Grades 3 and 4. It is perfect for similes. Ask the children to describe that they are seeing. What does it look like? Colour, shape, size, movement, etc. They can select any part of what they are watching. The resulting poetry is as beautiful as the film.
Below is an article we wrote about teaching poetry themed on the students' favourite colour. It was published in the HK and South China PYP Network Newsletter. The article describes a series of lessons taught with a Grade 3 and 2 class together with students working in 'buddy' writing partnerships, and includes samples of the finished work. The article also contains an outline of a Gradual Release style model of teaching that could be applied to any poetry unit in any grade/year level.
Thanks to Mr Mike, our great Primary Librarian for these links from Reading Rockets -
1. lots and lots of poetry resources! 2. Ten Ways to Use Poetry in Your Classroom. 3. Using Poetry with ESL Learners (including descriptions of all the different forms of poetry!). 4. The Power of Spoken Word/Performance Poetry. This idea belongs to a Grade 3 student who, given the open brief to create a product or service for a 'Market Day' event, decided to start a self-publishing business. She published her accomplished Colour Poetry on the back of postcards featuring beautiful countryside scenes of China. This combination of classwork and student-initiated action mirrors the way adult poets work in the outside world. |
Everyone can write...Writers paint the world with words.. With passion and inspiration, every learner can excel as a writer. ArchivesCategories |