Literacy, Poetry, and the Arts: Listening to the Sound of Your Soul

Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts. 919 Congress Avenue Suite 1400, Austin, TX 78701. Tel: 512-617-3200; Web site: http://www.tctela.org

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Literacy; Poetry; Visual Arts; Theater Arts; Art Education; Literacy Education; Dance; Music; Teaching Methods; Figurative Language; Intonation; Speeches; Public Officials; Comparative Analysis; Literary Styles; English Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Units of Study

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Incorporating the arts into the classroom through the study of poetry and writing can improve literacy with the connection to the lyrical movement of dance, music, and art. Through the arts, teachers can guide students in exploring figurative language, tone, rhythm, and imagery as it pertains to the arts and its relationship to the voice and passion of the writer. Using Patrick Henry's "Speech to the House of Commons," we compare the movement of words across the page to the movement of dance or a work of art. Using different types of poetry, including Keats's "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" and T.S. Eliot's "The Naming of Cats," we explore how performing and visual arts can make those connections that bridge the gap in students' understanding of figurative language, tone, and symbolism. Finally, as educators, we look at our responsibility of instilling in our students the importance of literacy. We must encourage our students to find their passion in life, and incorporating the arts in our classrooms through music, art, dance--through words--is one avenue in making this generation's students true learners for life.

As Provided

2020

EJ1262974