Introducing poetry to your class

"Just before play or going-home time, gather them on the carpet and say, 'hey listen to this' and read them a poem. No questions asked. Just read it

Create a poetry corner with books, CDs, and links to sites on the computer where they can listen to poems.

Have a poetry show! You dish out the books, one book per three children. They have to choose a poem, practise performing it over the next ten minutes, splitting it up into solos, duets, choruses etc.Then ten minutes later call them all together and act as MC and say, 'Now ladies and gentlemen, the Poetry Show!' Each threesome gets up and does their poem, with you announcing them as if they're stars - saying something about each one of them that is personal and positive for example: James, who last week wrote the most fantastic account of our trip to the Museum..."