EDGEMONT – At Edgemont School, elementary students have been delving into the world of poetry since their return from Christmas break. Guided by their reading teacher, Ms. Van Eaton, and their writing teacher, Mrs. Lauritsen, students have explored this expressive art form by reading, analyzing, and creating their own poems.
Learning poetry is an integral part of the elementary curriculum because it helps students develop critical thinking, creativity, and emotional expression. Reading poetry allows students to experience diverse perspectives and understand how language can evoke imagery and emotions. Writing poetry encourages them to play with words, develop their voice, and experiment with literary devices like rhyme, rhythm, and metaphor.
“It’s a lot of fun tapping into kids’ ideas and getting them to express themselves,” says Mrs. Lauritsen. Through these activities, students not only improve their literacy skills but also build confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
The poetry unit began with acrostic poems, an engaging way for young learners to build their vocabulary and experiment with descriptive language. Acrostic poems are simple yet effective for fostering creativity, as each line begins with a specific letter of a word, giving students structure while leaving room for imagination.
As students progressed, they moved on to couplets, which are pairs of rhyming lines. Writing couplets helps students understand rhyme schemes, rhythm, and the art of concise expression. Their simplicity makes them accessible to young poets while challenging them to think deeply about word choice and meaning.
Here are a few samples of poetry written by Edgemont students, showcasing their creativity and growth as writers:
Bark Woof, growl, whine, yelp I think my dog needs help By: Oakley Kaiser Car Buggy, bus, truck, jeep Why does mine always beep? By: Oakley Kaiser
White House Mansion, palace, president’s home In the White House, you cannot roam By: Aidyn Sand
Roping Fun I like to rope in the sun Roping at brandings is so fun. By: Roan Simmons
Winter Chill In the winter, it’s very cold Wear a jacket, I’m always told By: Juliet Miller
Hot Cocoa Hot feel on my hands Over the coldness outside. Too burning hot to drink at first Causing your tongue to sizzle. Of course, you sit under a blanket Calm as always. Oh, the nice taste At last. By: Olivia Renwick
Ice Skating Ice is slippery as can be Careful, might slip Easy after you learn Super fun Keep your balance An enjoyable time Tie your scarf on good I have a good time Never go on the ice without skates Go, I love it! By: Mary-Laura Shull-Humen
Winter’s Whisper Windy days in December Icy lakes Nights are so cold Tiny snowflakes Exhaustion to put on winter gear Really cold weather By: Garrett Jones