Why is poetry boring?

There are many students who think poetry is boring. Most students remember Mrs. Tedious standing in front of them reciting from a hundred-and-fifty-year-old volume of poems about clouds and daffodils. Students are told to picture themselves running in flowing togas through fields of flowers as they inhale perfumed misty morning air. Their teacher swoons as she reads each word and makes operatic motions with her free arm. Students are then told to write about how he or she relates to the poem.

It is perfectly fine to teach students how to appreciate the classic poetry of the masters, but dwelling on this type of poetry can alienate the student and may cause the child to think that poetry belongs to spaced-out hermit naturalists who live all their lives dancing like Snoopy in national parks.

Poetry must be made real to the student. Students must learn that poetry is a way of communicating real thought, real emotions and real ideas though words.

By utilizing this type of poetry, the history teacher can teach students the many concepts, people, events necessary for understanding ancient history and how it is related to today. Standards can be met and knowledge can be assessed. Poetry is a valuable tool for learning and should not be ignored.