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In the Classroom: Poetry Scope and Sequence

Polly Friess
Jackson Hole Classical Academy is pleased to introduce a new Scope and Sequence of poetry this year. Poetry is a pivotal subject for a student’s development at our school. 
Jackson Hole Classical Academy is pleased to introduce a new Scope and Sequence of poetry this year. Poetry is a pivotal subject for a student’s development at our school.

The memorization of poems creates a store of images, metaphors, and phrases in the child’s mind. There are moments in life when words fail when something is too beautiful or too tragic for ordinary prose. It is here that the storehouse of memorized material can provide a medium not only of expression but also of thought. We are able to process life through memorized poetry and scripture.

The presentation of poetry beginning at an early age is a non-intimidating introduction to public speaking. The natural rhythm and song-like structure of most poems lend themselves to easy absorption and performance for even the youngest children.

Poetry is also a counter to the material intentionally and unintentionally absorbed through television, radio, magazine, newspaper, billboards, and social media. Not all of these inputs are bad; but having little capacity to expand the heart and enlighten the imagination, they cannot elevate the soul. A steady diet of the mundane can choke the human spirit. The mind must be filled with higher things in order to think about higher things.

This poetry scope and sequence has been written to provide students at all levels with language and images that not only to their stages of intellectual and imaginative development, but that also can be rediscovered and reinterpreted in years to come. Poets like William Wordsworth, Christina Rossetti, and Robert Frost are simple, fresh, and profound, and can inspire any age.

As the summer has just changed into fall, please enjoy this short and beautiful poem memorized by our third grade.  Click here to view our: Poetry Scope and Sequence

Seasons by Christina Rossetti
In Springtime when the leaves are young,
Clear dewdrops gleam like jewels, hung
On boughs the fair birds roost among.
When Summer comes with sweet unrest,
Birds weary of their motherʼs breast,
And look abroad and leave the nest.
In Autumn ere the waters freeze,
The swallows fly across the seas:
— If we could fly away with these!
In Winter when the birds are gone,
The sun himself looks starved and wan,
And starved the snow he shines upon.
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