A pleasant surprise this school year: poetry

[Jane in NC]

Our plan had been to read some Latin poetry (Ovid and Catullus) using the Bolchazy readers. I was impressed when the readers arrived last spring and am even more so as we implement them. The author holds your hand to help not only with the translation of the poem, but to understand the subtlety (for example how the word order creates word pictures, explanations of how Ovid deviates from the direct storyline with his extended similes, etc.) while reviewing grammar.

Serendipity entered the picture when I spied the Teaching Company course "How to Read and Understand Poetry" on the library shelf. My son admits this is not something that he would have picked up for himself, but both of us are impressed with Professor Spiegelman. I don't think that my son realized anyone could be so impassioned by a few lines of verse to analyze it word by word, phrase by phrase, keeping the listener captivated despite this analysis of minutia.

Here is what I think my son is discovering: people who like words often have an affinity for poetry. He initially approached Ovid with the desire to do a literal word for word translation which doesn't work because of that which is often unwritten (again the Legamus reader assists the student with this). But through the Teaching Company he is also seeing that statements are made by not being so literal, by fiddling with word order, by saying less instead of saying more.

The kid likes words and has now discovered that he might even like poetry. Gasp!

Jane

[8FillTheHeart]

The love of words......that is what my kids got from LL from LOTRs. Her constant interweaving of Tolkein's life and passion for languages and words was so enlightening for my kids. Ds 12 has really taken it to heart and when he writes, you can see the effort he is trying to put into word selection.

Bravo to ANY teacher/source that can achieve that goal!!

[Michelle in MO]

Here is what I think my son is discovering: people who like words often have an affinity for poetry. He initially approached Ovid with the desire to do a literal word for word translation which doesn't work because of that which is often unwritten (again the Legamus reader assists the student with this). But through the Teaching Company he is also seeing that statements are made by not being so literal, by fiddling with word order, by saying less instead of saying more.

The kid likes words and has now discovered that he might even like poetry. Gasp!

Poetry was one of those mini-disciplines we did much more of when our kids were little. We read and memorized poems daily, and had poetry gatherings at our house. I miss those times. Poetry almost seems to be the epitome of arranging words for the maximum effect through alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, etc. A good friend of mine who comes on these boards from time to time still does poetry daily with her three sons.

Does the Teaching Company series explain the subtleties of Latin poetry? Does Latin poetry rely on rhyme, or alliteration, or meter, or - - - what? Just curious.

Thanks for sharing! :)

[Jane in NC]

Does the Teaching Company series explain the subtleties of Latin poetry? Does Latin poetry rely on rhyme, or alliteration, or meter, or - - - what? Just curious.

Thanks for sharing! :)

No to the TC question which is focusing on poetry written in English.

Latin poetry relies on meter and employs a number of other literary devices: alliteration, anaphora, chiasmus, etc. And I suspect that there is great variation of devices throughout the centuries. Michelle, I am learning as I go along here!

Jane

[LisaNY]

Thanks for sharing this, Jane! I bought this set during the last sale, and I've been listening to it. I am *hoping* that my dd finds it enjoyable.

[laughing lioness]

Thanks for mentioning these resources. I am teaching a small Jr. High co-op class on poetry using Logos Academy "the Grammar of Poetry." The kids are having a blast. We continue to use IEW's LATP program at home with my 14, 8 and 5 yo and they are doing a poem a week in addition to the rest of their memory work. It is good stuff!

[Karin]

Thanks--saving this in my Latin subscription file here. Not sure if I still belong here since dd is doing an interim 8/9 year to allow her to develop in non-academic areas of life (ie grow out of being a "walking stem" of 13 ;))