Rationale for poetry Essays -- Economics

Rationale for poetry The areas of English taught at Key Stage 1[KS1] and Key Stage 2 [KS2] are set out in the National Curriculum [NC] document. Poetry is one of these areas. At KS1 children should read and listen to nursery rhymes and poetry, learning some by heart, and read aloud. At KS2 children should read aloud, telling and enacting stories and poems. The National Literacy Strategy [NLS] guides teachers on which poems and poetic forms to teach in the classroom. There are two recent views that the NC and the NLS are failing in their approach to poetry. Â · According to Carter, the NC for English is very limited in its approach to poetry [Carter, 1998]. He argues that the NC fails to take on board the potential poetry has to offer in many areas of a child's development such as language, sensibility and dream power. Â · Bielby [1999], as cited by Lambirth, argues that children come to school already enjoying rhyme and poetry yet this enjoyment is being corrupted by the analytical and technical approach of the NLS. Poetry should be about exposing children to poetry and allowing them to respond as children.[Lambirth, 2001] These are both valid points, but is it the fault of the NC and the NLS that poetry is seen as a challenge and daunting area both to teach and learn. I briefly intend to illustrate why it is important to teach poetry as part of the NC. Promotes awareness of language Children's ability to respond to words and sounds is almost innate. According to the Oral Language Development Continuum [1997] babies under one year old, when they babble, include all sounds and selectively drop those that do not occurring their own language. This playing continues with the development... ...ed the importance of poetry or do not have the confidence to teach poetry. Therefore poetry does not achieve it full potential for the children. Bibliography - Bentley et al, 2001 - The Really Practical Guide To Primary English, Nelson Thornes, UK Carter, D 1998 - Teaching Poetry In The Primary School, David Fulton Publishers, London Ed. Fisher, R and Williams, M 2000 - Unlocking Literacy- A Guide For Teachers, David Fulton Publishers, London Lambirth , A Feb 2001 - Gaining confidence and conviction, The Primary English Magazine p30- 32, 1997 - Oral Language Developmental Continuum, Rigby Heinemann, Perth, W.A Whitehead, M 1990 - Language And Literacy In The Early Years, Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd, London Background reading Marsh , G 1988 - Teaching through poetry, Hodder and Stroughton, London Tann, S 1992