April is National Poetry Month, and since poetry plays an important role in our Roadways to Reading system, I always look forward to this opportunity to emphasize the reasons behind using the rich language of poetry to teach reading. Five important reasons for including poetry in your reading instruction include:

1. Reading, speaking and listening are all part of our language arts curriculum. Through a daily poem we can address all three! And, quickly, as poetry tends to be short. We are strengthening listening skills by reading poetry orally; we are increasing fluency skills by orally repeating the same poem of the week every day; and we are improving comprehension as children visualize and discuss the meaning of the words and phrases.  Phonological awareness, critical to reading development, can be addressed through the rhythm and the rhyme of poetry. And phonics, no matter what letter, digraph, or vowel team you are working, can be found within the lines of a poem.

2. Poetry can be used as a vehicle to build your “memory muscle.” The patterns of rhyme and rhythm make the lines easier to remember. Memorizing and reciting poetry develops the mental powers of visualization, association and recall.

3. Poems will add a rich collection of words to your vocabulary. Poetry exposes kids to new words, their meanings, and how they were chosen to suggest images or emotions.

4. The patterns of poetry provide a perfect structure for writing that many of our students need. Choosing rhyming words to fit the pattern, counting syllables to fit the rhythm, and exploring word choice to create an image are skills that all writers require.

5. Poetry encourages creativity and imagination. You can use your voice to say words with rhythm, pitch, sounds and melodies. It encourages children to move and add actions.

Try it! Poetry is fun and engaging!