Poetic Infusions: Building Preservice Teachers' Knowledge of Rhyme for Reason in School Classrooms

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Issues in Literacy Research Roundtable 3

Abstract

Poetry genres used in teaching provide outlets for expression in classrooms with a diverse population; however, pre-service teachers often need to be supported in developing a comfort with developing and sharing their own poetry, and with applying it to content area instruction to deepen students’ learning. Preservice teachers in four classes at two universities were supported in their growing appreciation for and knowledge of the uses of poetry to build students’ awareness of cultural diversity and social justice, and to develop geographical, historical, scientific, and mathematical concepts for struggling and reluctant readers across content areas. This mixed methods study used closed and open-ended survey questions in pre- and posttest applications, providing quantitative percentages and qualitative (coded) themes to report findings.

Authors

• Francine C. Falk-Ross, Pace University

• Roberta A. Linder, Wittenberg University