One of the most beautiful gifts of a Charlotte Mason education is the way it makes space for poetry. Poetry is not something to be dissected into lifeless pieces, but something to be savored, recited, and remembered. Mason reminded us that children are born persons, fully capable of delighting in great ideas and beautiful words. Poetry offers that in abundance.
When it comes to narration, many parents feel confident about asking for narrations in history or literature, but poetry can feel more uncertain. What does it look like to narrate a poem? Since poems are often short, dense with meaning, and layered with imagery, narration will look slightly different than with prose.
Here are some gentle questions to guide narration while reading poetry in your homeschool:
Questions for Narration in Poetry
1. Tell me the poem back in your own words.
Encourage your child to restate the poem simply. This develops comprehension and helps them connect with the meaning before anything else.
2. What picture did this poem paint in your imagination?
Since poetry is highly visual, this question draws attention to the images and emotions the poet intended to stir.
3. What words or phrases stood out to you? Why?
Children often catch onto the most vivid or surprising parts of a poem. Naming those words strengthens their ability to listen closely and attend to language.
4. How did this poem make you feel?
Poetry appeals not only to the intellect but also to the heart. This is a natural way to let your child respond without forcing an academic answer.
5. Do you notice any patterns of sound such as rhyme, rhythm, or repetition?
This helps them delight in the music of poetry without turning it into a dry technical lesson.
6. If you were to give this poem a title without looking, what would you call it?
This playful exercise fosters ownership and helps children recognize the central theme or image of the poem.
7. Does this poem remind you of anything else such as a story, another poem, something in nature?
Narration should be living and connected. Allowing the child to make personal associations makes poetry part of their world.
A Word of Encouragement
You do not need to use every question every time. Often, it is best to simply read the poem aloud with beauty and without commentary and then invite your child to narrate naturally. Choose one or two questions to guide the conversation when needed. Over time, your child will learn to attend carefully, notice patterns, and form personal connections with the poems they meet.
Charlotte Mason believed poetry was for all of life, not just for lessons. These gentle narration questions can help nurture both comprehension and delight, giving your children a treasury of words and images to carry with them.
