The Journey to Becoming Teachers of Writing

                              In this week's session, we focused on the final type of writing "Poetry" which was conducted by our course lecturer. To commence the session, we were divided into two groups, "Lovers of Poetry" and "Non Lovers of Poetry". In these groups we were asked to share why we love or why we do not love poetry. I classified myself as one who is a lover of poetry and my reason was "I love poetry because it allows writers to express their emotions and experiences through words." We were also asked to share on our experiences but I then realized I have never taught poetry.  We were then engaged in a discussion on the different elements of a poem and how it can be taught to students. These elements include   figures of speech, rhyme scheme, painting vivid imagery and appealing to the senses. Figures of Speech Figures of speech are used to add depth and creativity to the language.  R...

  We delved into the domain of poetry as an exceptional mode of communication during this week's class. The range of sentiments revealed in our discussions encompassed poetry devotees to those who find it less enticing. Certain individuals encountered difficulties comprehending its complexities, which they attributed to either the perceived difficulty of the subject matter or their own overwhelming prior experiences. Conversely, lovers of poetry expressed their enthusiasm, attributing their profound appreciation to the seduction of literary methods and the lively dance of words. The multitude of viewpoints illuminates the diverse connections that individuals develop with the poetic medium. We discovered something interesting as we delved more into writing pedagogy. While many teachers teach poetic devices, reading and understanding poetry is frequently neglected. The poems that emerged from our discourse were "The Flattered Flying Fish and the Sea," which served as the su...

  An environment that is both stimulating and pleasant for each student author is meticulously designed within a differentiated classroom. Establishing such an environment is comparable to fostering the flourishing of a butterfly. In order to stimulate and confront young writers, lessons are crafted with their specific requirements in consideration, employing innovative approaches, resources, and instruments. The emphasis on providing a secure environment for students to explore and test their ideas and abilities is a fundamental element that strongly appeals to me. Errors are perceived as opportunities for continued development rather than setbacks. Teachers can cultivate a feeling of security and independence among their students by allocating sufficient time for them to independently finish assignments. Prominently featured is the notion of self-efficacy, which embodies the sentiment "I Believe in Me!" Regarding the acquisition of writing skills, it exerts a significant im...

Poetry   In this week's session, we focused on poetry. We examined The Flattered Flying Fish and The Sea, which are two poems that students at the primary level should be taught or be familiar with. I can recall reading the Flattered Flying Fish in primary school, b ut the other poem was new to me. We also looked at the structure of the poems and the literacy devices that were used. Additionally, we had to indicate whether we are lovers or non-lovers of poetry.  My stance on poetry was clear, I did not need much to figure it out. The question brought back vivid memories of my hatred for literature during my second form year of high school. I can recall a sense of frustration in understanding the meanings of poems, let alone attempting to understand the literary devices that were used in the poem. At that time, I could not even recollect what these devices were. I vividly recall my teacher discussing various literary devices, such as similes and metaphors but by then, I ...