Poetry Stories

 Fiction in Verse is typically defined as "a full-length novel with plot, subplots, themes, with major and minor characters. Fiction of verse is always presented in blank verse form which separates it from the other genres of fiction literature." (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5336792). They are often called Novels in Verse. We can think of them as poetry stories; complete stories told through poetry.

Fiction in Verse is not a new genre. I've read that novels written in verse go back to at least the late part of the 18th century with Louisa: A Poetical Novel written by Anna Seward in 1784. Fiction in Verse seemed to gain popularity in 19th century as well, with famous authors such as Tennyson penning The Lady of Shalott.

I'm reminded of Sunday afternoons in my parents home, growing up. My sister and I would sit in our seats glued to the PBS special of Anne of Green Gables. We loved her! One of my favorite scenes was watching quirky Anne (played by Meagan Follows) float down the river in a small wooden boat, quoting The Lady of Shalott. I remembered how fascinated I was with the Lady's sad story and how much I would have liked to read this poem for myself.  I had no idea that it was a full story, all I knew was that the partial story had me captivated. I always loved poetry and good stories as a child. Fiction in verse seemed to be the perfect hybrid of a genre for me.

Today, I believe the ones who will embrace this genre will still be children who enjoy well developed stories and the swaying rhythm of poetry. It would probably be beneficial to use this genre in elementary school teaching when there is specific theme or situation that needs to be taught that a fiction in verse book could explain best. Themes that include lost, truimph, etc... Also, Fiction in Verse should be taught in elementary schools for sheer fun and enjoyment. I think it would grab the imagination of students and help them learn words: how they sound(phonetics), how they are written, and how they go together.

A Reader's Identity Crisis?

I think I'm having an identity crisis.

Well, not really. Maybe a Reader's Identity Crisis. In teaching we all have to answer the questions: Who are we are readers? What is our identity? How do we discover the "reading identity" of students to effectively engage them? I think it is essential for educators to answer these questions to have a good sense of who they are as readers so that their teaching and their  classroom offer a selection of different types of literature. What teacher would want their students to miss out on something they might enjoy because of the teacher's personal perferences? 

As teachers, who we are directly effects how and what we teach. Identity is a compilation of everything we believe and is the very fabric of who we are. Our reading habits are tightly knitted into that fabric because what we read is very telling of who we are.  As a child I enjoyed reading poetry and humorous books. I was the type of kid that would walk around with 101 Joke books, or a book where you chose your own ending. I tend to be drawn to humor and the human experience. I just read a children's book today; I stole it out of a second grade reading nook about a month ago (Hey- don't judge me). I just got the chance to read it today, it's about adoption. The book deals with the raw emotion of a six year old girl finally understanding what the word "adopted" means and her dealing with her feelings of not being wanted by her birthmother. By the end of the book, the girl has found peace and understands that her birthmother did love her but had to give her up to offer her a better life, and her adopted family will always be there. 

These kinds of books are what I usually reach for in a read aloud- but how would this book grab the attention of the seven year old with his fingers in his ears because he's bored to pieces?  He would much rather listen to a chapter on Star Wars or some other Science Fiction.

As a teacher I have to recognize my own identity but offer students a variety of genres to choose from, because after all it's not about me.  If I recognize my own "Reader Identity" and I'm aware that my students do not all share my identity, then I will not have a genre identity crisis. I am able to get involved with the types of books they like in order to win them to reading as life long hobby.

A Series of (Extra) Unfortunate Events

I feel like that little girl Violet in those well-known books by Daniel Handler. You probably know him as Lemony Snicket, the clever creator of the children's books "A Series of Unfortunate Events".

Snicket takes us on a sad journey of bad things that happen to the Baudelaire orphans. Poor things! They can't seem to catch a break; and graciously Snicket warns us to "Please read something else." He lets us know that the tale of these children will not be a happy one.

I kind of feel like that. I feel like there is no hope for me. Listen to my story and see if you don't agree.

I've never written a blog before, in fact, I don't believe I write particularly well- but I have to. I am studying to become an elementary school teacher and I plan to be a fantastic one. Yes- I said it. I plan to be fantastic. Why shouldn't I plan that? I love books, teaching and children so it only makes sense that I would work hard to be a great teacher. But I have to do well in my courses- and in order to do well in my courses, I have to create a blog and write in it often. What's more, I have to open it up for others to comment on!

Woe is me! What will people think of my blogs?!?! Will they like them? Will they find them informative? Will I receive an "A" from my professor? These questions just add increasingly more stress to an extremely stressed out, over worked, underpaid, over-Thirty year old woman. My eyes are red. I need coffee but I'm too broke right now to buy a cup. Sad, sad state I'm in. I'm in a Blogger Fogger. Will anyone rescue me? Calgon take me away!!!

Yet, I must go on. This blog space will be dedicated to postings on children's literature. I will focus on how to teach children and engage them using various genres of  literature (of course, from a humorous point of view). Hopefully my professor, collegues, and random internet people worldwide who are interested in children's literature blogs, will stop in and offer their words of wisdom. And maybe have a laugh or two.

Until my next graduate work meltdown.
Enjoy reading to your children :)