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Table of contents
1. Choosing and sharing poetry with ESL students.......................................................................................... 1 Bibliography...................................................................................................................................................... 9

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Choosing and sharing poetry with ESL students

Author: Vardell, Sylvia M; Hadaway, Nancy L; Young, Terrell A Publication info: Book Links 11.5 (Apr/May 2002): 51-56. ProQuest document link Abstract (Abstract): Poetry is an ideal entry into language learning for English as a second language (ESL) students because of its rhythm, repetition and rhyme. Vardell details how poetry can be powerful vehicle for developing ESL students' oral language capacity. Full text: Exploring Language Arts When we think about sharing poetry with students, we might assume that children who are learning English as a new language are not ready for poetry. But nothing could be further from the truth. As a genre, poetry offers many benefits for ESL students. Rhyming poetry, for example, provides the sound qualities helpful for predicting words and phrases. Concrete or shape poems use the visual layout of the poem along with the words to describe an object or experience. Even free-verse poetry helps students focus on the arrangement of words on the page and on the description and emotion that those words can provide. Listening to the spoken word is an important first step in learning any language, and poetry is an ideal entry into language learning for ESL students because of its rhythm, repetition, and rhyme. Through the listening to, reading, and rereading of poetry, students can increase their exposure to language, and the brevity and short lines of poetry appear both manageable and not so intimidating to ESL students. Poetry can be a powerful vehicle for developing students' oral language capacity, which is so critical to functioning in the real world. Using poetry for reading aloud and choral reading promotes oral fluency and lays a strong foundation for reading in a new language. As students participate in choral reading, they practice their word recognition and pronunciation and experience their new language in a fun, supportive, and appealing way. As they join in on poems like "Homework, Oh Homework" by Jack Prelutsky, they are active processors of English text, as well as typical children expressing frustration with homework. When it comes to introducing content, poetry can also be a tremendous tool. Poetry brings the names and faces of history, the people and places of geography, and the facts and figures of social studies vividly and memorably to life. For example, sharing "Harriet Tubman" by Eloise Greenfield offers a concise recounting of Tubman's life story. Integrating poetry into math class can help make mathematical concepts-from counting and calculators to polygons and long division-more accessible and enjoyable. Try using "Take a Number" by Mary O'Neill to underscore the practical value of math study. Many poems also directly address themes from science. Integrating poetry into a science lesson can help break up the difficult expository writing of many textbooks and engage ESL students with concepts in more motivating ways. Any of the poems from Florian's Insectlopedia could enliven the study of insects, for example. No matter what the subject area, poets have written about it: school, seasons, weather, animals, etc.

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Teachers often don't consider the way poetry is linked to everything we teach. We don't always educate ourselves about the rich variety of multicultural poetry available that reflects the diverse experiences and backgrounds our students bring to school. We may also too narrowly pigeon-hole books for certain grade levels, thinking picture books are only for young children, and poetry is only for older students. But for ESL students who enter our schools at any age or grade level, there are more general factors of language learning and background knowledge to consider in introducing literature. Poetry, in particular, can span the grades because of its unique form and use of language. For ESL students, this is a connection that can help them learn words and concepts, stay motivated and interested, and even participate as equals. Like song lyrics and television commercials, poetry can "stick" in the mind long after other lessons and experiences have faded. Indeed, children often enjoy imitating the songs and poems they hear by creating their own versions. And yet, we're often at a loss as to where to begin in selecting appropriate and appealing poetry. We often rely on the poetry, both loved and hated, that we knew as children. Fortunately, there is now a renaissance of poetry writing and publishing in the field of children's literature. Whether we rely on classroom anthologies of poems by a variety of writers, one collection by an individual poet, or a single poem in a picturebook format, we can look for poetry that speaks to the needs of our budding language learners, as well as to all students within our reach. Bibliography Poetry Basics A Jar of Tiny Stars: Poems by NCTE Award-Winning Poets. Edited by Bernice E. Cullinan. 1995. 104p. Boyds Mills/Wordsong, $16.95 (1-56397-087-2). Gr. 2-up. This slim collection features the work of the past 10 years of NCTE poetry award winners. Children chose their favorite poems by these distinguished writers, so the selections are often not the writers' most anthologized work Biographical information about each poet is also included. For a more extensive anthology by a wider variety of poets, consult The Random House Book of Poetry (Random, 1983), edited by Jack Prelutsky. Use the subject subcategories and index to find poems that are just right for the day's events or lesson topic. Prelutsky, Jack. The New Kid on the Block. Illus. by James Stevenson. 1984. 160p. HarperCollins/ Greenwillow, $17.95 (0-688-- 02271-5). Gr. 2-up. This collection by well-- known poet Prelutsky is an excellent choice for the ESL classroom, because students acquiring English respond to the rhythmic, almost musical, quality of Prelutsky's language. They also enjoy his knack for capturing childhood experiences; for example, ESL children facing difficulties communicating 08 December 2013 Page 2 of 9 ProQuest

and fitting in at school will relate to the poem "I Should Have Stayed in Bed." Also see Prelutsky's Something Big Has Been Here (HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 1990) and A Pizza the Size of the Sun (HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 1996). Silverstein, Shel. Falling Up. 1996. 184p. HarperCollins, $17.95 (0-06-- 024802-5). Silverstein, Shel. A Light in the Attic. 1981; reissued 2000. 176p. HarperCollins, $17.95 (0-06-- 025673-7). Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends. 1974; reissued 2000. 176p. HarperCollins, $17.95 (0-06-- 0256672). Gr. 2-up. The poet regularly cited by children as a favorite published three collections with appeal for ESL students. Choose poems with a sequence of events that can be illustrated, as in "Shapes," or those with clear description, like "Messy Room" (both from A Light in the Attic), or poems that suggest physical movement, such as " Boa Constrictor" in Where the Sidewalk Ends. The sarcasm and ironic humor of some of Silverstein's poems may be lost on some ESL students, but they will still benefit from the poet's strong description. Multicultural and Bilingual Poetry Bruchac, Joseph. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons. Illus. by Thomas Locker. 1992. 32p. Philomel, $16.99 (0-399-- 22141-7); Penguin Putnam, paper, $6.99 (0-698-11584-8). Gr. 3-up. Bruchac's free-verse column format includes a poem for each month, or moon, of the year as seen through a variety of Native American perspectives. The personification in some poems may be challenging for beginners, but ESL students will enjoy seeing the calendar reflected through non-Western eyes. See also Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve's book Dancing Teepees (Holiday, 1989) for additional diverse Native American poems. Greenfield, Eloise. Honey I Love and Other Love Poems. Illus. by Diane and Leo Dillon. 1978. 48p. HarperCollins, $14.95 (0-690-- 01334-5); HarperTrophy, paper, $5.95 (0-06-443097-9). Gr. 1-up. Greenfield's musical language filters the black experience through universal feelings. Her biographical poem "Harriet Tubman," for example, becomes a powerful chant when students join in on a choral reading. Medina, Jane. My Name Is jorge: On Both Sides of the River. Illus. by Fabricio Vanden Broeck. 1999. 48p. Boyds Mills/Wordsong, $15.95 (1-56397-811-3); paper, $7.95 (1-56397-842-3). Gr. 2-up. This bilingual collection speaks to the experience of being an English-language learner in a U.S. school. Many poignant poems such as "Why Am I Dumb?" reflect the difficulties that students face as they struggle to learn both content and a new language. These insightful poems are sure to spark class discussion. See also Francisco X. Alarcon's bilingual poetry focused on the seasons, such as Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems jitomates Risuenos y otros poemas de primavera (Children's Book Press, 1997). Pass It On: African-American Poetry for Children. Selected by Wade Hudson. Illus. by Floyd Cooper. 1993. 32p. Scholastic, $15.95 (0-590-45770-5). Gr. 2-up. Cooper's sensitive and inviting illustrations are beautifully paired with a variety of poems by African American writers. Extend this title with Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry (Simon Schuster/Atheneum, 1997) to help students enjoy and appreciate the language and experiences of black Americans. Soto, Gary. A Fire in My Hands. 1992. 64p. Scholastic, paper, $4.50 (0-590-44579-0). Gr. 3-up. Soto writes about growing-up experiences (such as riding a bike and first crushes) in ways that are poignant and familiar, while incorporating Spanish words and Hispanic experiences that reflect his own cultural roots. Also see Soto's Canto Familiar (Harcourt, 1995). Wong, Janet S. Good Luck Gold and Other Poems. 1994. 48p. Simon &Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry, $14 (0-689-SOG 17-1). Gr. 2-up. along takes the experiences that came with growing up Korean, Chinese, and American and fuses them in her poetry for children. She captures moments with her Asian grandfather or with English-speaking classmates with powerful feeling and simple language, such as in the poem "Speak Up." Also see Wong's A 08 December 2013 Page 3 of 9 ProQuest

Suitcase of Seaweed and Other Poems (Simon &Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry, 1996). Poetry for Social Studies From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs. Selected by Amy Cohn. Illus. by Molly Bang and others. 1993. 41 Gp. Scholastic, $29.95 (0-590-42868-3). Gr. 3-up. This collection includes a wide variety of poems, stories, and folk songs that have been arranged to reflect the diversity of American peoples. Pair this title with Sing a Song of Popcorn, collected by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers (Scholastic, 1988), for a patchwork quilt of some of the best poets and illustrators creating literature for children. Hand in Hand: An American History through Poetry. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illus. by Peter M. Fiore. 1994. 144p. Simon &Schuster, $20 (0-671-73315-X). Gr. 2-up. For a clear, chronological view of American history through poetry, this collection is outstanding. Combine this with My America (Simon &Schuster, 2000), also edited by Hopkins, or highlight the individual experience found in Joyce Carol Thomas' I Have Heard of a Land (HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 1998) or the family history in Ann Turner's Mississippi Mud: Three Prairie journals (HarperCollins, 1997). Livingston, Myra Cohn. Festivals. Illus. by Leonard Everett Fisher. 1996. 32p. Holiday, $16.95 (0-8234-1217-2).

Gr. 2-up. Livingston's books always offer vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, which are helpful to the ESL student. In this collection, she presents both familiar and new celebrations from a variety of cultures. English-language learners will be pleased to see Dia de los Muertos, Tet Nguyen-Dan, and Ramadan represented. Also see Livingston's Celebrations (Holiday, 1985). Poetry for Science Blast Off. Poems about Space. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. 1995. 48p. HarperCollins, $15.89 (0-06-- 024261-2). Preschool-Gr. 8. In simple language, these poems describe the sun, moon, stars, and planets, as well as define

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new terms in science-as in the poem "A Meteorite." For slightly more sophisticated poetry about space, consult Myra Cohn Livingston's Space Songs (Holiday, 1988). Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illus. by Virginia Halstead. 1999. 40p. Simon &Schuster, $17 (0-689-- 81283-3); Aladdin, paper, $6.99 (0-689-85120-0). K-Gr. 8. This collection of science-- related poems features the work of a variety of writers, from Carl Sandburg to Rebecca Kai Dotlich. ESL students will appreciate both the contextualized vocabulary and the clear imagery found in poems such as "What Is Science?" by Dotlich. Poetry for Mathematics Esbensen, Barbara Juster. Echoes for the Eye: Poems to Celebrate Patterns in Nature. Illus. by Helen K. Davie. 1996. 32p. HarperCollins, o.p. Gr. 3-up. For introducing or reinforcing a study of shapes, patterns, or geometry, Esbensen's imagery and fresh use of language help ESL students see the math in everyday life. Marvelous Math: A Book of Poems. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illus. by Karen Barbour. 1997. 32p. Simon &Schuster, $17 (0-689-- 80658-2); Aladdin, paper, $6.99 (0-689-84442-5). Gr. 1-up. This collection features math-related poems, including Mary O'Neill's "Take a Number." Poems can help clarify terms and concepts for ESL students, as well as add fun and enrichment to math lessons. Poetry about School Dakos, Kalli. If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems about School. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. 1990. 64p. Simon &Schuster, $15 (0-02-- 725581-6); Aladdin, paper, $3.95 (0-689-80116-5). K-up. ESL students will easily relate to poems about fears, frustrations, and anxieties about school. Surprisingly, poems about the funny side of school may be more challenging for them, since the humor often alludes to school experiences common in the U.S. that may not be familiar to ESL students. Also see Dakos' Don't Read This Book, Whatever You Do! (Simon &Schuster, 1993). School Supplies: A Book of Poems. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illus. by Renee Flower. 1996. 40p. Simon &Schuster, $17 (0-689-- 80497-0); Aladdin, paper, $5.99 (0-689-83569-8). Gr. 1-up. Poems that describe and personify items found at school (paper, pencil, globe) can help ESL students learn needed vocabulary as well as challenge them to consider poetry as a means of creative expression. Pair this title with David L. Harrison's Somebody Catch My Homework (Boyds Mills, 1993). Shields, Carol Diggory. Lunch Money and Other Poems about School. Illus. by Paul Meisel. 1995. 48p. Dutton, $15.99 (0-525-45345-8); Puffin, paper, $5.99 (0-14-055890-X). Gr. 1-up. Many of the poems in this collection lend themselves to choral reading (for example, try "Clock-watching"), so that ESL students can participate by sharing poems about their everyday school experiences. Also look for Dorothy Kennedy's collection I Thought lid Take My Rat to School (Little, Brown, 1993). Poetry about Seasons and Weather Adoff, Arnold. In for Winter, Out for Spring. Illus. by Jerry Pinkney. 1991. 48p. Harcourt, $15 (0-15-238637-8); paper, $7 (0-15-201492-6). K-up. Adoff paints a portrait of the seasons, beginning with winter, creating crisp free-verse poems with an economy of language. With each season, the poet also presents the everchanging weather, from snow to a severe thunderstorm warning. Also see Myra Cohn Livingston's A Circle of Seasons (Holiday, 1982). Once upon Ice: And Other Frozen Poems. Selected by Jane Yolen. Photos by Jason Stemple. 1997. 40p. Boyds Mills/ Wordsong, $17.95 (1-56397-408-8). Gr. 2-up. Poems, accompanied by vivid photographs, describe the many forms of ice-from icicles to ice cubes. A lesson on the states of matter, solids, and liquids could easily be introduced with the poem "IceCycle." One of our favorites for choral reading and discussing the changing seasons is "Ice Can Scream." Also see Yolen's Snow, Snow (Boyds Mills/Wordsong, 1998). Poetry about Animals 08 December 2013 Page 5 of 9 ProQuest

Eric Carle's Animals, Animals. Selected by Laura Whipple. Illus. by Eric Carle. 1989. 96p. Philomel, $21.99 (0399-21744-4); Puffin, paper, $7.99 (0-698-11855-3). K-up. The well-known collages of Eric Carle accompany this collection of short animal poems and proverbs from around the world. Immigrant ESL students may particularly enjoy the poems about animals from their countries of origin. Also see Jack Prelutsky's The Beauty of the Beast (Knopf, 1997). Florian, Douglas. insectlopedia. 1998. 56p. Harcourt, $16 (0-15-201306-7); Harcourt/Voyager paper, $7 (0-15-216335-2). Gr. 2-up. ESL students enjoy what all students enjoy about Florian's poetry-the combination of short, descriptive poems and intriguing artwork. Although ESL students may not immediately understand Florian's wordplay, they will respond to how he poetically defines and describes animal life in his various collections. Other Florian collections include Beast Feast (Harcourt, 1994), On the Wing (Harcourt, 1996), In the Swim (Harcourt, 1997), and Mammalabilia (Harcourt, 2000). Models for Writing Poetry Graham, Joan Bransfield. Flicker Flash. Illus. by Nancy Davis. 1999. 32p. Houghton, $16 (0-395-90501-X). K-up. This collection of concrete, or shape, poetry helps students see the importance of the arrangement of words, as well as the choice of words, in poetry. See Graham's Splish Splash (Houghton, 1994) for poems about water words and wet things. For additional concrete poetry, see J. Patrick Lewis' Doodle Dandies (Simon &Schuster/ Atheneum, 1998). Kuskin, Karla. Dogs and Dragons, Trees and Dreams. 1980. 96p. HarperCollins, $15 (0-06-023544-6); HarperTrophy, paper, $5.50 (0-06-- 446122-X). Gr. 2-up. In this book, Kuskin shares insights about where the ideas for each of her poems come from. ESL students will appreciate the invitation to write from their own lives and imaginations. For poems written by children, see Ten-Second Rainshowers, selected by Sanford Lyne (Simon &Schuster, 1996), and Salting the Ocean, selected by Naomi Shihab Nye (HarperCollins/ Greenwillow, 2000).

O'Neill, Mary. Hailstones and Halibut Bones. Illus. by John Wallner. 1961; reissued 1989. 64p. Doubleday, $1595 (0-385-24484-3); paper, $9.95 (0-385-41078-6). Gr. 2-up. This classic collection introduces colors through list poems. ESL students may find it helpful to conceptualize black, for example, as well as to learn words for things that are black-tar, high silk hat, etc. For other examples of list poetry forms that students may want to imitate, see Judith Viorst's If I Were in Charge of 08 December 2013 Page 6 of 9 ProQuest

the World and Other Worries (Simon &Schuster/Atheneum, 1981) and Sad Underwear and Other Complications (Simon &Schuster/Atheneum, 1995). Poetry Picture Books Bates, Katharine Lee. O Beautiful for Spacious Skies. Illus. by Wayne Thiebaud. 1994. 20p. Chronicle, $9.95 (0811-80832-7). Gr. 3-up. As new immigrants attempt to learn the traditions of American citizenship, seeing the words to patriotic songs and anthems in print will help them learn and appreciate them. In addition, the illustrations in this version push the reader to consider a larger vision of America. Link this title with Robert Burleigh's Flight (Philomel, 1991), a poetic picture-book biography of Charles Lindbergh. Myers, Walter Dean. Harlem. Illus. by Christopher Myers. 1997. 32p. Scholastic, $16.95 (0-590-54340-7). Gr. 2-up. Father and son, Walter Dean and Christopher Myers collaborated to create a visual and lyrical tribute to their New York neighborhood. Pair this with the picture-- songbook Lift Ev ry Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson (Scholastic, 1995). Encourage children to talk or write about their own neighborhoods, favorite songs, and cultural traditions. Siebert, Diane. Cave. Illus. by Wayne McLoughlin. 2000. 32p. HarperCollins, $16.95 (0-688-- 16447-1). Gr. 4-up. Siebert creates poetry picture books that use language artistically while describing natural phenomena, such as an underground cave, with a great deal of information. ESL students may find some of the vocabulary and imagery challenging at first, but the clear focus of the entire text, as well as the illustrations, will help them grasp the concepts and language. Also see Siebert's Mojave (HarperCollins, 1988), Sierra (HarperCollins, 1991), and Heartland (HarperCollins, 1989). Sidebar Some Do's and Don'ts for Choosing and Sharing Poetry with ESL Students Sidebar Sounds: ESL students especially enjoy the sound of poetry-the rhyme, the rhythm, the music of the English language. This means two things. First, as you begin selecting poetry to share with ESL children, start with poems that rhyme and have a strong rhythm. This enables students to use their developing language skills to guess how words and phrases should sound. Also, read poetry aloud and invite (don't assign) children to read out loud with you. Poetry needs to be heard and spoken, especially if English is not the native language. Choral reading is a wonderful, unintimidating way to practice English and improve oral fluency-for all students. Relevance: Select poems that connect with ESL students. Choose poems that have some relevance in children's lives and experiences. Topics such as school, seasons, weather, and animals all have some degree of familiarity, which makes the poems easier to understand. Poetry that is deeply symbolic may be too abstract for beginning English-- language learners. Second, share the poems when they connect with something that is already going on-a lesson, a special event, or a shared experience. Invite students to search for and share poems that have personal meaning for them. Making these connections through poetry helps students understand the concepts, vocabulary, and meaning of the poem-as well as enjoy the use of language. Humor: Despite previous research findings on children's poetry preferences, ESL students may Sidebar not enjoy the same hilarious, slapstick, tongueIn-cheek poems that native speakers do. Why? Humor is culturally specific, and ESL students may not have experienced humor in that way before. Puns, parodies, irony, and sarcasm are communicated differently in different languages. Don't be surprised if you share a funny poem, and your ESL students don't laugh. Beginning English speakers are not going to get the humor even with an explanation. It might be best to share poetry for the words, sounds, rhythm, and meaning first. Response: Provide opportunities for ESL students to respond to poetry. They may be uncomfortable sharing their thoughts in front of a large group (as are many people). Instead, allow small group discussion of poems, or, better yet, provide materials for artistic response. Students we have worked with have enjoyed creating 08 December 2013 Page 7 of 9 ProQuest

illustrations in small groups for a poem, making a collage, developing a mural, or even creating a poetry picture book as a way of responding to and interpreting a poem. You could even encourage a native-language response to a poem. Some students may even be brave enough to try writing poetry, often by imitating the formats of their favorite poems. We have seen students create beautiful bilingual list poems about the seasons, for example. Encourage written and oral self-expression in ESL students, even with their sometimes-limited vocabulary; you may be surprised at how poetic their developing grasp of English can be. AuthorAffiliation Sylvia M Vardell is a professor at Texas Woman's University; Nancy L. Hadaway is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington; and Terrell A. Young is an associate professor at Washington State University. Vardell, Hadaway, and Young are also authors of Literature-Based Instruction with English Language Learners, K-12 (Allyn &Bacon Longman, 2002). Subject: Childrens poetry; English as a second language; ESL; Language arts; Teaching; Publication title: Book Links Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Pages: 51-56 Number of pages: 6 Publication year: 2002 Publication date: Apr/May 2002 Year: 2002 Publisher: Booklist Publications Place of publication: Chicago Country of publication: United States Publication subject: Children And Youth - About ISSN: 10554742 Source type: Magazines Language of publication: English Document type: Feature ProQuest document ID: 197217437 Document URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/197217437?accountid=13155 Copyright: Copyright American Library Association Apr/May 2002 Last updated: 2012-02-08 Database: ProQuest Research Library

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Bibliography
Citation style: APA 6th - American Psychological Association, 6th Edition Sylvia, M. V., Nancy, L. H., & Terrell, A. Y. (2002, Apr). Choosing and sharing poetry with ESL students. Book Links, 11, 51-56. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197217437?accountid=13155

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