Poetry in Preparing

[MainelyJen]

Carrie or any other Preparing moms out there. . .

My son is having a struggle with the poetry exercise of creatively re-writing the lines of poetry. Now, this is my child who doesn't enjoy writing, and especially can't come up with anything creative to say. You know how it is - he sits with that "doe in the headlights" expression and says, "I don't know what to say." Here's a story for you about this child. Two years ago I did a learning styles test on the kids through Mercy Academy. Well, you could tell after a few questions what the results would be, as he burst into tears on a question relating to "what does this picture of a ship make you think of" or something like that. His answer. . ."I don't know what they want me to say."

He's definitely a fill-in-the-blank with the facts and keep it safe kind of kid. So, I love that we have the poetry assignment because it will stretch him. But. . .advice on how to stretch without snapping? On the last one ("Bed in Summer") I helped him out by giving him about 5 ideas off the top of my head and made two of them quite comical. That broke the ice and he had a good laugh. He wanted to use one of my ideas instead of coming up with his own. Now, it kind of makes sense to me to do that for a few assignments to model it for him and not make him feel pressured. Then maybe transition into expecting more from him?

Your thoughts?

[deltagal]

Hi Jennifer,

My 12 yo son is a slow go with the poetry, as well. However, I can definitely see signs of progress, so I know we're on track. I'll look forward to reading other thoughts on this, but my thinking is just stay with it, keep it simple, use the white board to jot his ideas down as Carrie suggests, help him with the lead in line, write his creation down for him to copy - if that's an issue, and move on. Another thing I've been doing which seems to add a little enthusiasm is on my son's schedule that I give him for the week I write in his Poetry block - WRITING EXERCISE and he doesn't have any other writing projects that day, including dicatation. This is helping him mentally prepare for the fact that we will be working with the poem and he's much more on board. I love that you turned the last assignment into something fun, maybe you could take turns coming up with ideas - you offer one and he offers one. Based on how you've described him it sounds like the poetry exercise is just what he needs to open up that creative mind which is lying there dormant. Continue to keep it simple and note that some days the exercise is write a paragraph, not a poem. Just some thoughts.

[MainelyJen]

Joy, I like the idea of us taking turns coming up with ideas. But he just seems to shut down and can't come up with anything - I think it stems from not liking to give a wrong answer/fearing that it isn't going to be good.

We'll definitely keep at it. I think the poetry exercise is a great idea. I'm just used to working with a very wordy daughter - if I had done these exercises with her, I'd have had an opposite problem. It would have been, "Please, mom, why can't I just write version 18 of this poem?"

[deltagal]

Joy, I like the idea of us taking turns coming up with ideas. But he just seems to shut down and can't come up with anything - I think it stems from not liking to give a wrong answer/fearing that it isn't going to be good.

I have no doubt that you are 100% correct in this assumption. Perhaps, you can break it down even further, instead of being open ended why not help him come up with singular words or even give him multiple choice, using your example from above, "This ship makes me think of...."pirate cruising the sea" or "explorers searching for treasure" or "the pilgrims journey to their new home." Then the next step would be for him to offer one possible choice and then the next step would be for him to offer 2 choices. Each week push him just a "teeny tiny bit to offer one little bitty idea to the ones you have pulled together. Once he begins to see how his ideas will actually work it will become easier. Those first steps are the most challenging.

[MainelyJen]

Thanks, Florence!

I love poetry ~ I'll grab a favorite poetry volume and plunk down when I need a few minutes of peace or just in between reading longer books. I've incorporated it at various times during our studies. For instance, when we were studying the Civil War I read the poem "Your Letter, Lady, Came Too Late" and we were just all in tears. It was great! Oh, here it is online! http://grapevinedispatches.blogspot.com ... -late.html I have it an old book of poetry which was my grandfather's, called "Heartthrobs."

I'll keep working on decreasing the intimidation factor. Actually, my sister is collecting poetry from all members of our family for a family history project on artistic talents. We have poetry from my great, great, great grandfather all the way down to my kids generation. I think some of my brother's poems were quite funny ("Death of a Tennis Shoe" and "Life of a Sears No. 2 Pencil"). My sister can send me scans of his uncle's humorous poems, and those might encourage Sam.

See, I just need to come to this board to think things through! Actually, I've noticed since we started using Preparing that I have more time for doing creative extras than I have in years. Another HOD benefit!

[deltagal]

Actually, I've noticed since we started using Preparing that I have more time for doing creative extras than I have in years. Another HOD benefit

I feel the same way! And thank you for the link to the poem. My! How poignant. YOu've inspired me to put a volume of poetry by my bedside or perhaps, in the kitchen. I have a volume of my grandmothers.

Have a wonderful day.