Teaching Poetry: Reading and responding to poetry in the secondary classroom

'¬ÜIn a recent survey of our new PGCE cohort of 125 students, the trainees identified two areas where they felt '¬Üa lack of confidence or a gap in my subject knowledge'¬", these were grammar and poetry.'¬" - PGCE English Lecturer, Institute of Education, University of London, UK Teaching Poetrytackles head-on one of the areas of teaching English that trainees and newly qualified teachers find most difficult. A refreshing change from books on the market about the writing of poetry in schools, this book is a guide to effective pedagogy for getting your students interested and involved in talking and learning about poetry. Written by experienced teachers who have worked with the many secondary school pupils who '¬Üdon'¬"t get it'¬", this book provides an introduction to a range of pedagogically sound approaches available for teaching poetry. It: Presents the theoretical background to every approach covered, to help you contextualise your own understanding Covers all the key genres and periods through tried and tested favourites and a range of less well known new and historical poetry Includes activities to use with poems for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, covering the three strands of reading, writing and speaking and listening Refers you to useful books and sources of activities, to help you find ideas and support for lessons Illustrates good practice for every approach covered, through a case study of theory and ideas in action in the classroom Provides a context for the teaching of poetry historically and in terms of literary criticism and pedagogical theory. This essential guide provides a source of support, confidence and ideas for all those new to the teaching profession who want to help their students understand, discuss and enjoy classic and contemporary poetry.