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WALKING
THROUGH THE
GENRES

POEMS
Why teach poetry?
It provides variety
Its interesting
Intensive language practice through
repetition
Provides pronunciation practice
Provides opportunities for effective oral
expressions tone, pitch, pace and volume
Fun and easy to remember

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POEMS
Eight poems have been chosen to be used for Year 4
pupils in primary schools in Malaysia.

The poems are:


Holiday Memories by June Crebbin
At The Playground by Brian Moses
Sounds Like Magic by Celia Warren
Grandmas House by Pamela Mordecai
Clap Your Hands by Pam Gidney
Noisy Food by Marian Swinger
Woodpecker by Brenda Williams
Sand Castle by J. Patrick Lewis
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LISTENING TO POEMS
Some poems need to be read to
and with the pupils.
Listening to poems read aloud
can be of special value in helping
the children to enjoy a poem.
At the same time, the pupils will
learn how to read poetry aloud
themselves.
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READING POEMS ALOUD
Pupils need to read poems aloud because it helps them to
appreciate each poems meaning, atmosphere and
rhythm; and in the case of their own poems, to think of
changes which might improve them.

Individuals, pairs or groups can read the parts of
different characters, or read individual lines, groups of
lines and stanzas.

The way in which a poem is spoken can make a valuable
contribution to the childrens understanding, appreciation
and enjoyment of it.

Teachers can experiment with different methods,
depending on the poem.
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MEMORISING POEMS
when pupils memorise poems, they increase their
vocabulary and develop the skill of using it expressively;

they build up a rich store of creative ways in which words
can be used, and they begin to use them themselves.

to help pupils memorise a poem, read it aloud to them,
then repeat it, encourage them to join in.

display an enlarged copy of the poem, or work with a
small group of pupils who each have their own copy to
follow.

read a line, then cover it and ask the pupils to repeat it,
building up the number of lines covered, until the pupils
can recite the entire poem.
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HOLIDAY MEMORIES
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HOLIDAY MEMORIES
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ABOUT THE POEM
The poem is about the writers adventures
during his imaginary holiday. Some of the
adventures were wrestling a jaguar, boxing
a kangaroo, reaching the moon, travelling to
Mars, and grappling a Grizzly bear.

MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Be imaginative and adventurous.

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AT THE PLAYGROUND
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ABOUT THE POEM
The poem is about a child having
fun at the playground.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Have fun
Be careful
Love your parents
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SOUNDS LIKE MAGIC
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ABOUT THE POEM
The poem is about a childs
imagination of sounds from the
objects stated in the poem.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Be observant
Be creative and imaginative
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GRANDMAS HOUSE
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ABOUT THE POEM
This poem talks about the things that one can
find in a grandmothers house and also about
the warmth of sharing tea with ones
grandmother.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Always love and care for your loved
ones.
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CLAP YOUR HANDS
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ABOUT THE POEM
This poem talks about having fun while
playing with your friends.

MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Have fun with your friends.

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NOISY FOOD
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ABOUT THE POEM
It is an onomatopoeia poem revolving around a child
who enjoys eating noisy food. Although the mother
tries to advise the child that eating quietly is polite, the
child on the other hand thinks otherwise. He/ She
enjoys eating the food noisily.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Appreciate and enjoy your food.

Practise good table manners when you eat.
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WOODPECKER
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ABOUT THE POEM
This short poem revolves around a woodpecker
pecking tirelessly at a tree without getting any
benefit or result.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Strategise your action

Do things which are beneficial
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SAND CASTLE
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ABOUT THE POEM
The poem is about the poets excitement and creativity
in building a sandcastle. The poet describes in detail
how she builds the sandcastle from scratch. She is
disappointed when it gets washed away by the waves.
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
Appreciate and enjoy nature

Be strong when you are faced with
challenges

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LETS HAVE FUN
Shape
Poems
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LETS HAVE FUN
Shape
Poems
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LETS HAVE FUN
Crackling
Crunching
Munching
Slurping
Sucking
Popping
Pupils

Yummy
Circles
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Tunku Ireneza Marina Tunku Mazlan
ireneza@moe.gov.my