Poetry Recital - Take 2

Our poetry recital today was very disappointing. About half the kids didn't have their poem memorized, despite having well over a week. Some students couldn't even read them off their paper very well. Of the few who did have them memorized, about half of them had no expression in their voice when they read them.

The following outcomes from the Language Arts Curriculum Guide are met through this activity:

• 2.2 use word choice, tone of voice, and facial expression appropriate to the speaking occasion
• 2.4 engage in, respond to, and evaluate oral presentations
• 3.1 demonstrate an awareness of the needs, rights, and feelings of others by listening attentively and speaking in a manner appropriate to the situation
• 3.3 consider purpose and the needs and expectations of their audiences
• 4.1 select, independently, texts appropriate to their interests and learning needs
• 4.2 read widely and experience a variety of children’s literature

Due to these disastrous presentations, we are going to try again, and this time, we're inviting you, and some other guests.

More details will follow, but right now our Poetry Recital - Take 2 is tentatively scheduled for June 7. That gives them an additional 2 weeks to prepare.

For some examples of the type of performance I'm looking for, take a look at the following video:
Lauren Honeycutt (8 years old) - "Sick" by Shel Silverstein