Using Parody in the Classroom
Using parodies of poems is an excellent way for educators to introduce students to the varied rhythms and rhyme patterns of poetry. Students can gain confidence in creating their own original works by “transforming” famous poems. Classical poetry tends to have “heavy” themes such as death or adult love, in language too dense and uninteresting for most elementary and middle-school students. On the other hand, children do benefit by (and often enjoy) being exposed to the variety of poetry’s rhyme and rhythm patterns.
Parodies provide the perfect bridge so that students can appreciate different poetic forms while reading and writing about topics that are fun and meaningful for their age level. Students can develop a personal connection to a famous poet they admire, experimenting with writing in a similar style or using specific poems as direct inspiration. This exercise, in turn, might provide motivation for them to learn more about their chosen poet or that time period.
Many writers have played with parody, including the famous “transformations” by Lewis Carroll. Students can use all sorts of written works for their own inspiration including nursery rhymes and songs. (For recent good examples see Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs by Alan Katz, and Mary Had a Little Jam by Bruce Lansky.)
Let the creative games begin!
Judy Love
Free Downloadable Teacher Guides:
Read the original classical poems that inspired these books:
Ideas for Rhyme in the Classroom; Happy Poetry Month08.pdf
To parody or not to parody (or even IS it parody?):
Check out the controversy in my blog entry at Charlesbridge Publishing