Language and Literacy: The Poetry Connection

Poetry is often overlooked as a form of literature through which children can reflect on language in interesting and powerful ways.

In the article "'What Facts Does this Poem Teach You?'" Louise Rosenblatt (1980) questioned teachers' propensity for dissecting and analyzing poetry for its content and literary interpretation. Fortunately, times have changed somewhat, and teachers today are less likely to mine literary works solely for students' skills development. Yet, many teachers still argue that there is value in highlighting certain literary devices or aspects of a form as one way of knowing and appreciating literature. When students discuss various characteristics of a form, it helps inform their own writing and familiarizes them with common terminology needed to talk about language, literature, and literacy. Familiarity with the structure and terminology of literacy facilitates students' abilities to communicate with others about what they know. In addition, such familiarity can deepen students' personal responses and interpretations of literature.