Poetry is a neglected  genre of reading that children not only need, they love! The concept of Poetry Tea Time is to just read poetry for the sheer joy of reading it not to focus on the process of writing it. Students will be introduced to the works of different poets each week as they gather with a cup of tea or other drink, a snack and excitement to read and discuss poetry. Learners will socialize with other students as they connect through the poetry. This class is gentle and there is no pressure for students to read aloud but they are encouraged to bring favorite poems to share with the class. I will read aloud or students can volunteer to read poems. Learners will be encouraged to offer opinions and ask questions. 
Week 1: We will read poems by Shel Silverstein 
Week 2: We will read poems from Lewis Carroll
Week 3: We will read poems from Jack Prelutsky
Week 4: We will read poems by Edward Lear
Week 5: The class will feature poems from A.A Milne
Week 6: The poems will be by Walt Whitman
Week 7: We will read poems by Eugene Fields
Week 8: We will read poems by Robert Frost
Week 9: Poems will be from ee cummings
Week 10: Favorite poems selected by the students and teacher to share.
Week 11: Poems by Various Authors
Week 12: Poems by Emily Dickinson
Students will gain confidence in reading poems aloud if they choose and will experience a variety of styles, gain insight into poetic forms and learn to enjoy the rhythm and flow of poetry. The goal is for students to engage with other learners in lively discussion about what they like or don't like about different kinds of poetry. It is social time as well as a poetry time and learners will be able to gain social skills as well as academic ones.