ELT 206 (Teaching and Assessment of Literature Studies)

Course Guide
1st Semester, AY 2024-2025

Unit 3: Teaching Poetry and Dramatic Poetry

Desired Learning Outcomes:

At end of the unit, the students must have:

1. adapted competency-based learning materials in teaching poetry which respond
to the various linguistic, cultural, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds of
learners;
2. identified a range of assessment strategies in teaching poetry that address
learners’ needs, progress, and achievement which are consistent with the
selected competencies; and
3. crafted a learning plan according to the English curricula that develops higher
order thinking skills of learners through the use of poetic texts;

Topics:

1. Review on the Genres of Poetry

2. Literary Devices
3. Fun Poetry
• Riddles
• Limericks
• Haikus
4. Shape Poems
5. Comprehending Poetry
6. Strategies in Teaching Poetry
7. Reading Aloud
8. Choral Reading
9. Silent Reading
10. Literary Appreciation and Valuing in/of Poetry
11. Lesson Design in Teaching Poetry
12. Materials and Resources in Teaching Poetry
13. Assessment in Teaching Poetry

Genres of Poetry

A poem is a composition that uses words to evoke emotions in an imaginative way.

Although poetry is a form of self-expression that knows no bounds, it can be safely divided
into three main genres: lyric poetry, narrative poetry and dramatic poetry.

Lyric poetry uses song-like and emotional words to describe a moment, an object, a
feeling, or a person. Lyric poems do not necessarily tell a story but focus on the poet’s
personal attitudes and state of mind. They use sensory language to set the scene and
inspire emotions in the reader.

elegy - a reflective poem to honor the dead

haiku - a seventeen-syllable poem that uses natural imagery to express an emotion
ode - an elevated poem that pays tribute to a person, idea, place, or another concept
sonnet - a descriptive fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme

Narrative poetry tells a story. Also known as epic poetry, narrative poetry is often
set to music as ballads. Narrative poems are usually of human interest and include epics, or
long stories.

allegory - a narrative poem that uses an extended metaphor to make a point

ballad - narrative poetry set to music
burlesque - a mock-epic poem that tells an ordinary story in a melodramatic way
epic - a lengthy poem that tells a story of heroic adventures

Dramatic poetry, also known as dramatic monologue, is meant to be spoken or

acted. Similar to narrative poetry, dramatic poetry tells a story. You’re most likely to find
dramatic poetry in the form of dramatic (or even comedic) monologues or soliloquies written
in a rhyming verse.

monologue - a speech given by one character to another, or by one character to the

audience (also known as dramatic verse when not in poetic form)
soliloquy - a speech given by one character to himself or herself; a dramatic representation
of inner monologue

While narrative poetry is told by a narrator, dramatic poetry is written from the
perspective of a character in the story. Narrative poetry tends to set the scene and describe
what's happening, whereas dramatic poetry tends to lead with a main character entering the
scene and speaking.

Literary Devices

It refers to specific aspects of literature in the sense of its universal functions as an

art from which expresses ideas through language. Both literary elements and literary
techniques can rightly be called literary devices. It could be a combination of literary
technique and figure of speech. It is also the writer’s style of the language in terms of choice
of words and the manner of presentation. Style varies from one writer to another. In other
words, it is the writer’s word power and artistry.

Fun Poetry

Riddles. Riddles are poems which describe something (or someone) without naming
it. The intrigue of a riddle is trying to guess the object, person, or idea being deceptively
described. They were some of the earliest types of poetry in the English language. Unlike a
lot of poetry, the riddle is a really participatory form: because the reader has to guess the
object, the riddle is almost like a question which needs an answer.

“Voiceless it cries, Wingless flutters, Toothless bites, Mouthless mutters.” ― Gollum’s riddle
in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit,
 Limerick. A limerick is a silly poem with five lines. They are often funny or
nonsensical. Limericks were made famous by Edward Lear, a famous author who wrote the
"Book of Nonsense" in the 1800's. This was an entire book of silly limericks.

The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of
syllables (typically 8 or 9).
The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of
syllables (typically 5 or 6)
Limericks often start with the line "There once was a..." or "There was a..."

Example of an 8,8,5,5,8 syllable limerick:

STAR
by Kaitlyn Guenther

There once was a wonderful star

Who thought she would go very far
Until she fell down
And looked like a clown
She knew she would never go far.

Haiku. A haiku is a specific type of Japanese poem which has 17 syllables divided
into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Haikus or haiku are typically written on the subject of
nature. The word haiku (pronounced hahy-koo) is derived from the Japanese word hokku
meaning “starting verse.”

Over the wintry

forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow. - Natsume Soseki

Old pond…
A frog leaps in
Water’s sound. - Bashō.

Shape Poems

Shape poetry, or concrete poetry, develops the physical form of the words on paper.
So, a poem about the stars would take the shape of a star (or stars). While the words, writing
style, and literary devices impact the meaning of the poem, the physical shape of the poem
is also of significance.

Christmastime Is Near

Christmastime is near.
Soon, we'll wrap the house in lights
and watch it sparkle in delight.
Oh, how I love this time of year!
I mailed my list to Santa.
I just know he's going to grant me my one and only wish,
a pup named Trevor who will stay with me forever.
 Poetry Reading Strategies

Preview the poem by reading the title and paying attention to the poem’s form: shape on the
page, stanzas, number of lines and ending punctuation.

Read poem aloud several times to hear rhyme, rhythm, and the overall sound of the poem.
This makes it easier to understand the poem.

Visualize the images by paying close attention to strong verbs, and comparisons in poem.
Do the images remind you of anything? Let the comparisons paint a picture in your head.

Clarify words and phrases by allowing yourself to find the meaning of words or phrases
that stand out, are repeated, or you do not understand the meaning. Use dictionary, context
clues, teacher or peer.

Evaluate the poem’s theme by asking what message is the poet trying to send or help you
understand? Does it relate to your life in any way?

Visit this link for samples: https://justaddstudents.com/strategies-for-teaching-poetry/

Oral reading or reading aloud is the act of reading printed or written text aloud, and
is often used by teachers to track and measure a student’s overall reading ability including
reading accuracy, pronunciation, fluency, comprehension and understanding of punctuation.
Oral reading can allow a teacher to directly observe a child’s reading skills, including
decoding, fluency, and prosody (tone and expression).

Silent reading is a reading skill which allows one to read without voicing the words.
Many teachers frequently employ silent reading to build fluency. Sustained silent reading is
the practice of having students read silently for a specified period of time each day.

Choral reading is reading aloud in unison with a whole class or group of students.
Choral reading helps build students' fluency, self-confidence, and motivation. Because
students are reading aloud together, students who may ordinarily feel self-conscious or
nervous about reading aloud have built-in support.

See link for sample lesson design: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-

plans/teaching-content/strategies-read-and-analyze-poetry/

Strategies to Read and Analyze Poetry Using one of Emily Dickinson's most famous poems,
students learn various strategies for appreciating poetry.
 Learning Activities:

Task 1. Design an original assessment activity that may be utilized in teaching poetry.
Explain and describe how it will be conducted in the classroom.

Assessment:

Making a Learning Plan in Teaching Poetry.

Craft a learning plan according to the English curricula that develops higher order
thinking skills of learners through the use of poetic texts (focusing on Completeness,
Appropriate Approach Used, and Facilitative Process). You may choose your own literary
piece.

Time Frame: (Week 10-14)

References:

Baronda, A.J. (2016). 21st Century literature from the Philippines and the world. Pasay City:
JFS Publishing Services.

Bantados, W., Marcos, L., & Valez, S. (2012). Introduction to literature. Manila: Purely
Books Trading & Publishing Corp.

https://justaddstudents.com/strategies-for-teaching-poetry/

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-poems.html

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/strategies-read-and-
analyze-poetry/