Poems

I have assigned each student a poem of their choosing. The student must memorize his or her poem over the next two weeks and be prepared to recite it for the class on the due date. The recitation will be done without the poem in the student's hands.

Memorizing a poem is not difficult given the amount of time the students have. I went over with them the best ways to memorize something.

• Say it Out Loud
• Stand when saying it
• Recite it many times when you practice each day
• Find the music in the poem to help you remember how it flows
• Key into the rhyming words so help get from line to line
• Recite with expression

On the due date each student will stand in front of the class to recite his or her poem. I would like the students to speak with expression, practically acting out the poem. That doesn't mean dancing or shouting, but putting feeling into the words. Basically, I do not want the student to sound like a robot. This is practice public speaking, something each child will be doing a lot of this year. We are starting off with something that will make the children nervous, but through this with our help each child will being to conquer that fear and become a more confident speaker and presenter. 

This is an assignment and it is homework, so please help your student practice each night. And morning. And in the car. The more times the words come out of your child's mouth the more comfortable your child will be with them.