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I know what you’re thinking…Homeschool poetry? Really?
Haven’t I got enough to think about in my homeschool already, without adding poetry into the mix too?!
I know! I get it!
Many of you may even be thinking, “What is poetry even for?”
Let me explain!
In episode 18 of Raising Mums, we tackle:
?? Why poetry should be a part of every child’s education!
?? Easy ways to make poetry a part of your homeschool.
?? Why you shouldn’t be intimidated by it!
WATCH THIS VIDEO!
The fact that I am asked these questions regularly reflects the way the modern world thinks today. Our utilitarian view of life believes that if something is valuable it must first be useful or practical, rather than beautiful. Basically, if something is beautiful… well, that’s nice, but its not important!
It supposes that if poetry doesn’t have a practical purpose, its not worthwhile. How wrong that is!
Will poetry increase you children’s vocabulary? Yes.
Will it help them with grammar and spelling? Probably.
Will it give them a greater mastery of the English language? Most certainly.
But that is not why we do it!
Poetry moves the heart. Words have the power to affect us deeply. That is the way we have been created.
When the Quran was sent down, and the Quraysh heard it, what did they accuse the Prophet (saw) of? Of being a poet!
That is because the Quran has the sound and feel of poetry.
That is how Allah (swt) chose to communicate with us; through poetry-like words.
Why? Because beautiful words touch our hearts. Because they can penetrate deep into our souls and have the ability to change the listener.
It is through these words that we remember God.
Poetry, has a similar effect. It can help you and your children remember God. In the same way that looking upon a flower blooming or spectactular sunset can remind us of our creator; so too can hearing beautiful words.
Poetry can also teach us great morals.
“Poetry is, perhaps, the most searching and intimate of our teachers…Poetry supplies us with tools for the modelling of our lives, and the use of these we must get at ourselves.”
Charlotte Mason (Vol. 4, p. 71)
If, like me, your experience of poetry at school was next to none, starting poetry readings in your homeschool can be intimidating.
Here are a 4 Easy Ways you can Begin including poetry into your child’s education.
For further explanation, please watch the video or listen to the podcast above.
4 Ways to Begin with Poetry in Your Homeschool
❤ Start Collecting Poetry Books (see Book Recommendations below)
❤ Read a poem every day
❤ Give children a choice
❤ Encourage delight before ever beginning to analyse a poem (Remember the Cake analogy from the Video!)
Homeschool Poetry Recommendations:
Tomie’s Little Mother Goose – Lovely nursery rhyme collection
When We Were Very Young & Now We Are Six By A.A.Milne
All the Silver Pennies – Collection of children’s poetry
Illustrated Treasury of read-Aloud Poems by Glorya Hale
Read Me Out Loud: A Poem to To Rap, Chant, Whisper Or Shout For Every Day Of The Year: A Poem for Every Day of the Year!
Christina Rossetti – Classic children’s poetry. (Please note, some poems in this book my not be suitable for sensitive children. )
The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane
So this week, dust off those old poetry books and start reading from them to your children. Just read one poem each day to begin with. There is no need to analyse or discuss them poems in any depth; rather allow the poem itself to be the teacher.
Delight in those carefully crafted words and enjoy these precious moments together.
Thank you to our Sponsor
A huge thank you to WordUnited for sponsoring today’s episode of Raising Mums!
Make sure you check out their Early Years learning resources, including sensory toys, wooden toys and eco toys that promote learning through play! Children from birth to 5 can develop skills including communication, pre-writing and fine motor skills, numeracy, imaginative play, sensory and messy play, construction and more!
While you’re there, visit their Free Resources Hub!
Home educators can receive 10% off every time they shop using the Discount Code wu4homeed.
I hope you’ll join me next week, Sunday 9th February 2020, at 10 am GMT, on Facebook and Instagram, for another LIVE episode of Raising Mums
I hope you have a beautiful week friends!
Peace and Love,
