Assignment:
Overview:
For this assignment, you will analyze a children's poem of your choice and then answer a set of questions.
Instructions:
• First, choose one (1) children's poem to evaluate (some options are provided in the Readings and Resources).
• Then, in the assignment link in Blackboard, discuss each of the following questions using full sentences, and provide examples from the poem. If a question does not apply to your poem, explain why it does not apply to the poem. Do not leave any items blank.
1. First, provide the title and author of the children's poem that you chose. Then answer: How does the rhythm of the poem reinforce and create the meaning of the poem?
2. If the poem rhymes, does it sound natural or contrived? Explain.
3. How does the sound of the poem add to its meaning?
4. Does the poem use alliteration? Onomatopoeia? Repetition? To what effect?
5. How does the poem create sensory images of sight, touch, smell, or taste? List some of the poem's sensory images.
6. Are the sensory images included related to a child's delight within those particular senses? How?
7. What is the quality of imagination in the poem? Does the poem make the child see something in a fresh, new way, or does it rely on tired clichés? Provide examples to support your answers.
8. Is the figurative language appropriate to children's lives?
9. Are the similes and metaphors used ones that a child would appreciate and understand? Provide examples.
10.What is the tone of the poem? Does it patronize childhood by looking down on it? Is it didactic and preachy? Does it see childhood in a sentimental or nostalgic way? Offer examples to support your answer.
11.Do you think the poem is appropriate for children? Will it appeal to them, and will they like it? Why or why not?
12.How has the poet created the emotional intensity of the poem?
13.Does every word work to heighten the feelings conveyed?
14.Does the shape of the poem contribute to the poem's meaning? How?
Children's Literature and Language Arts
Assignment: Analysis of a Children's Poem
15. What is the purpose of the poem? To amuse? To describe in a fresh way? To comment on humanity? To draw parallels to our lives?
16. How well has the poet achieved the poem's purpose?
Requirements:
• Use your own words and include the in-text citation for any resources you may use when answering some of these questions.
o For example, if you are citing your textbook, use the in-text citation: (Kiefer & Tyson, 2019) and the reference: Kiefer, B. Z., Tyson, C. A., Parsons Barger, B., Patrick, L. & Reilly-Sanders, E. (2019). Charlotte Huck's children's literature: A brief guide (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
• Be sure to use appropriate paragraph breaks and keep your writing free from spelling and grammatical errors.