How to have a Poetry Teatime

Teatime is THE practice that will transform your homeschool.

Poetry Teatime is the magic you seek for a subject you value!

Here's how to have a Poetry Teatime…

The Preparation

Buy tea or other beverages.

• PG Tips or Yorkshire Gold if you like British tea

• Black tea from the supermarket works too

• Herbal teas are also lovely

• Any special beverage will do

• Psst: the key is to pour the beverage from a teapot no matter which liquid you choose!

Purchase/make a treat.

• Cookies

• Scones

• Muffins

• Toast and jam

• Sliced fruit

• Tea sandwiches

Lay a fresh tablecloth before teatime

• Hint: you can throw a clean bed sheet over the table.

• Placemats work just as well.

Use nice ceramics if you have them.

• Cream pot for milk

• Sugar bowl

• Little bowl with a spoon for jam

• A mug or cup for each person

• Small plates

• Napkins (cloth are extra special)

• And a teaspoon and knife at each place setting

A centerpiece is a plus.

• Flowers

• Decorate a colorful plate with moss and leaves

• Grouping of candles

• Trinkets like marbles and old pearl necklaces

• Add little dolls to a scene

• Spare teapot filled with flowers

Keep a stock of poetry books in the house. More on books in a future email, but anything by Jack Prelutsky is highly recommended. You might also bring the current read aloud to the table.

The Process

At the start of teatime, everyone selects a poetry book and brings it to the table. While you boil the hot water to steep the tea, encourage the kids to hunt through the books for the poem they will share.

Begin by pouring tea for everyone. Take time to add sugar/honey and milk. Pass the cookies/muffins around. Cut them open and add butter and jam.

Once everyone has their tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Each child will read one poem (or a parent can read the poem for the pre-reader that she selected based on pictures!). Each person may read one or two poems (depending on length). There is no need to analyze the poem. This is a delight-driven practice. Enjoy the poem. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. It’s okay to comment, but it’s not required.

Feel free to offer more tea and food. You may even enjoy reading aloud from your chapter book. (I usually did the reading while the kids did the eating and sipping.)

When you finish teatime, each person brings their plate and cup to the sink, rinses and puts them in the dishwasher (if you have one). Candles are extinguished, the tablecloth is shaken out and folded, and the centerpiece is removed (or left out).

Tips for Reading Poetry Out Loud

BEFORE reading poetry aloud:

• Get to know the poem. Read it to yourself a few times.

• Look up unfamiliar terms.

• Practice hard-to-pronounce words so you won’t stumble over them.

• Notice if the poem is from the perspective of a character. If so, choose a voice that will convey that character: high or low, young or old, gruff or kind, serious or silly, etc.

WHILE reading aloud:

• Relax. Most poetry is conversational. No need, usually, to be formal.

• Read slowly and clearly. Sometimes a humorous poem might need more speed but even then make sure to enunciate and don’t rush the punchline.

• Don’t give every word the same emphasis. Provide a little extra “punch” here and there.

• Only pause when there is punctuation, as you would when reading prose.

• Read with emotion but don’t overdo it. Let the words do the work.

Learn more at our Poetry Teatime website and check out our Poetry Teatime Companion as a resource to support you!

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