Reading poetry is a wonderful tactic for helping struggling readers. Poetry gives the student easily managed small word portions that are fun and engaging.

Georgie Porgie, handsome guy,
Won’t kiss the girls, and so they cry.
It breaks their hearts - he loves another.
He’s only five; he loves his mother.
-Bruce Lansky

Reading poetry on a regular basis helps children learn to read because they get to practice fluency, work on word recognition abilities, and build confidence.

A research study took place to examine the efficacy of the reading of poetry to help struggling readers. Findings reveal that significant gains were made in the treatment group when compared with the control group in the areas of words correct per minute, word recognition, and attitude toward academic reading, while a marginally significant gain was made in the area of comprehension.

Introducing students to poetry can actually enhance their performance on high-stakes tests. How? According to Nile Stanley, a reading specialist, researcher, and a professor of education, “Poetry helps students do well on high-stakes tests because it gives their minds an exhilarating workout. Poetry inspires students to read more, imagine more, think more, discuss more and write more.” All of which will, of course, will help them on tests.

Stanley also wrote the book, Creating Readers With Poetry. Another recommendation is the book Teaching Struggling Readers With Poetry by Maria Walther and Carol Fuhler.

Bring fun into your home or classroom with poetry. It’s like slipping vegetables into the meatloaf, they’ll never know it and they’ll benefit in so many ways.

Share some of your favorite poems here and sample a free reading skill today!