Joyful Language Lessons: Poetry

Poetry instruction has officially begun for my younger writers. It is a unit that I get pretty nervous for. I love the fruits of it and I love to see how children come alive when they realize their brains are full of beautiful, profound language. But I get anxious when we begin thinking abstractly and picking apart figurative language. It is tricky. Usually it only takes a couple of days to get going and then we are soaring.

This year has brought a new challenge since understanding abstract language in a tongue that is not your first is a mountain of a task. My joyful English learner is absorbing new vocabulary everyday, and her conversation has certainly blossomed, but figurative language is tricky! We had a beautiful moment yesterday when I was trying to teach her how to look at ordinary objects in a different, deeper way. I gave her a few minutes to ponder what we discussed, and walked away wondering if teaching poetry to a language learner is a miserable idea. 

I was conferencing with another kidlet when she stormed back in the classroom on that beautiful, blue-sky and puffy-clouded day. 

"Miss Rachel! The sky is dancing!" 

Yeah poetry! Woohoo! 

(I am  not sure I am prepared to share this secret with you all, but I thank Justin Bieber for introducing poetic language. Yes, we do break down Justin Bieber songs in order to understand the language. My cute English learning lady is 14. Sing-songy cutesy kids music is not going to cut it. So we rock out to JB after school for extra English practice. I have no shame. She loves it.)

                                             

This is maybe a Christmas tune, but we had a glorious epiphany when she understood the line "Even the stars in the sky can't outshine your eyes." A lightbulb went on. Thanks to cheesier than cheesy lyrics. Bring it on JB.