On the Importance of Always Having a Poem at the Ready
photo via katinthecupboard on flickr
I feel like every Montessori teacher should have a never-ending supply of poetry on hand. My reasoning for this is the absorbent mind. Children under six have an amazing capacity to take in every sensorial experience they have without effort. If young children can learn entire languages without trying, then certainly they should be able to learn poetry!
A few weeks ago I taught one of my students “Snail” by Langston Hughes. Then a few days later he walks up to me and says, “I remember that poem you taught me last week.” and off he went, reciting it perfectly.
I try to read at least ONE poem a day to my students. Since we don’t have a schedule in a Montessori environment, it can be hard to find a good time. But even if it is during the time the children are waiting in line to go to the bathroom, or when a few of them are gathered at the snack table – I always try to throw one out there. It’s like there are these huge sponges, ready to absorb all the good and beautiful things in this world. I feel like it is my duty to provide them with as much of that beauty as possible.
Here are a few poems that I’ve recently shared with my students:
“Snail” by Langston Hughes
Little snail,
Dreaming you go.
Weather and rose
Is all you know.
Weather and rose
Is all you see,
Drinking
The dewdrop’s
Mystery.
Keep A Poem In Your Pocket
By Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.
The little poem will sing to you
The little picture bring to you
A dozen dreams to dance to you
At night when you’re in bed.
So – -
Keep a picture in your pocket
And a poem in your head
And you’ll never feel lonely
At night when you’re in bed.
and finally
Clouds
By Christina Rossetti
White sheep, white sheep,
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops,
You all stand still.
When the wind blows,
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep,
Where do you go?
What are your favorite poems to share with young children? I’m always looking to add to my collection!
