For Educators/ Lesson Plans and Teaching

Ronald Micca Male, 50, United States (5/10/2012 9:08:00 AM)

Yesterday, a supervisor of mine directed me to take down a bulletin board on which I posted student work that demonstrated their understanding of history through the medium of poetry. She said, " What does poetry have to do with history?" She went on to say that poetry is elementary and that poetry isn't rigorous. I vehemently disagree. What are your views?I do not wish to take down the work and I need supporting counter-arguments to her claims. Please respond.

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Maitiu Brallaghan (10/16/2012 9:04:00 PM) Post reply
It is a little disappointing to see such a narrow-minded response. Think Steve Turner 's 'History Lesson'.

My first, and perhaps the strongest argument for an educator, is using Blooms Taxonomy. Creating is a high order thinking skill. To be able, without the restrictions of essay scaffolds, to express their understanding of Historical events in, for instance poetry, challenges their understanding. She not look at the form but at the content. True - if this were all they did it does not prepare them for examinations. However as a creative exercise it is a high order skill and an excellent idea. I would suggest that if she remains in the dated prejudiced world of poetry is not rigorous then she better get stitching her leather elbow patches on quick-smart!

As to poetry having nothing to do with history.... ha ha ha....she had me going on that one. Wilfred Owen?For many students he IS the First World War. He is certainly one of the most potent introductions to the war! Try the following discussions - http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/noa/pdf/27636_Rest_U21_General.pdf -They might make interesting reading.

Finally a word of warning: look up Chris Searle - Stepney Words. The lesson is if you don't listen to the student voice then maybe they will have to make their voice a little louder. (Also if you argue with your management you might get the sack... but I wouldn't worry about that one! After all - who needs a job?)

Good luck- let us know how it goes...
Mariska Coetzee (5/21/2012 8:53:00 AM) Post reply
I do agree with you. Poetry has been stereotyped by society, and it sad considering how little people know about it. Most people would easily sing along to a song but would never read a poem in their life, even though lyrics and poetry are not that different from each other. And because poetry requires a higher level of understanding, the poem the student wrote shows that she has reached the highest level of Bloom's taxonomy. I feel it should stay. Poetry is not confined to literature classes.

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