Versification
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"He learned sword-fighting and riding, swimming and diving, how to shoot with the bow and play on the recorder and theorbo, how to hunt the stag and cut him up when he was dead, besides Cosmography, Rhetoric, Heraldry, Versification, and of course History, with a little Law, Physic, Alchemy, and Astronomy."
-- C. S. Lewis, from Prince Caspian
How to Hold a Poetry Party
I love poetry readings. We
do it often with our small group of friends, and the kids have a blast
preparing for it. Here are our "rules" for running it:
Keep it
balanced. Break up the long ballads with shorter poems for the little kids.
Keep it light.
Too many verses of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" are deadly!
Vary the poem
types. Use some ballads, some free verse, some haiku, even some limerick;
and don't forget poems for two voices! Those are a real challenge for older
kids.
Help the kids
to read with feeling. I wish there were a recording of Patrick Stewart
reading A.A. Milne's "King John". I heard it a few years ago, live, and it
was inimitable. But you could try <G>.
Let the kids
chose their own poetry. Some will chose works that are too hard and
challenge themselves, but oh! so greater is the feeling of accomplishment.
Some kids may wish to write and read original poetry!
Try finding a
theme for the poetry night...autumn, animals, night time, dreams, faith,
nature, myth, etc.
Consider
giving each participant a small paperback book of poetry. Milne, Jean
Steig, Valerie Worth, Robert Frost, and others are available in affordable
paperback versions. I just found a few copies of "Rime of the Ancient
Mariner" for $.39!
Dress the
part! Kids love to dress up. Perhaps they would like to wear costumes from
the poem, or costumes from the period the poem was written.
Serve food.
Few things round out any homeschool event like a dessert table. Don't
forget to keep with the theme...serve "Simple Simon's Pie" or "Knave of
Heart's Tarts"
Here's a great article on poetry from the Parents' Review.
Recommended books for the study of poetry:
Poetic form:
Rhyme's Reason by John Hollander is quite possibly the best introduction to poetic form out there, for both the serious student and the dabbler.
Poetry set to music:
Musical version of A Child's Garden of Verses
Anthologies:
Favorite Poems Old and New by Helen Ferris
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist
The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes by Iona Opie
Also, The Oxford Book of Children's Verse (find the obscure right here)
Poets (enough anthology):
A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
