Why Poetry is Important in Modern Times

Poetry seems to be a lost art and seldom appreciated for its beauty and power. Students are not exposed to quality poetry, whether it be in writing or reading complex poems in today's classrooms. Often when poetry is taught today, it is structured and controlled by using worksheets. This is easily seen when touring a classroom where bulletin boards feature rows and rows of the same poem. When our gifted students are forced to fill in the blanks and create unoriginal poems, their creativity is stifled.  

So, why is poetry important in modern times? Well, children need to be exposed to classical poems and the rhythm of the words. Also, they need the experience of crafting their own open-ended, original poems.  Poetry offers an outlet for gifted students to express their emotions, both positive or negative, and poetry may be the vehicle that satisfies that need. 

With the newest trend of using text lingo in communication, our students lack the practice of choosing powerful adjectives and expressing themselves in detail. Adept poets are able to transfer their poetic skills into creative and formal writing.  

Jennifer, E-gifted's CEO, also my daughter began writing poetry in sixth grade. After being inspired by a teacher that used an open-ended methodology, her poems became more complex and powerful.  She even wrote poetry in her free time on her bed with music blaring all around her.  

Years later, when it came time to write her college entrance essay for Wellesley, she weaved her poetic language into an essay about all of her accomplishments.  Her talent pulls at heart strings. Last week, a member a scholarship committee remembered how powerful her essay was and how it drew the committee to tears. It is incredible after six years, Deb, still remembers that winning essay. 

I think teaching children poetry can bring great joy to the child and the educator. Jennifer is offering a class in Poetry this July, which could really inspire your child in writing. She has the passion for the subject and talent to pull students into the imaginative world of poetry. 

I will leave you with an inspiring quote by Paul Roche, "Words are unbelievably sensitive. And in poetry mere clarity has very little to do with feeling. An increase of clarity can even spell the end of a feeling; for poetry being half music has the power of making itself felt long before it has made itself fully understood.”

~ Debbie