6.3.1 Initial reading by teacher
Leave a period of time for reflection after reading the poem and then ask some questions which involve the children and allow them to explore their own responses. At this stage there is no need for reasons for their responses to be given. Nevertheless this 'mixture' can include the classics by poets such as Lamb, Rossetti, Stevenson, Lear and Carroll suggests Tunica (1995). Robinson (1985) agrees, talking of her enjoyment at an early age of the works of Coleridge, Shelley and Frost (all of which appear in the anthology I like this poem), while Causley (1985) cites Auden's comment that there are only "some good poems which are only for adults" (p.8).
Edwards (1985) suggests the following:
What did you feel when I ... read that?
Did it make you want to experience that?
Did it make you see something a little differently? (p.36)
Recordings of poems by other readers are useful for variety, although Sloan (1985) believes that direct sharing between a teacher and a class has more impact.
It may be helpful for the class to break into pairs or small groups to discuss their ideas and any questions they have.