Poetry – Criteria for Poetry: Familiarity I came to find out helps the children understand the poem better, but as mentioned in the video we should not lower the level of poetry to the level we think the students will understand. I learned the students prefer narrative poetry.  Imagery really makes a difference when we can picture, hear, or smell the poem just by reading we connect not only with the poem but with the author as well.  Rhyme is great to have in a poem but not necessary. Although with elementary students we emphasize rhyme, that when we share a poem that does not contain rhyme they automatically say, “That’s not a poem, because it doesn’t rhyme”. Then I go into a mini lesson explaining how not all poems have to rhyme, I introduce free verse.  Rhyme and rhythm are preferred by readers. Sometimes my students say the poem has a song to it, I allow them to explore that. Then we go back and locate what creates that song, it’s a wonderful experience.  Sound in a poem is crucial. The more students can participate in creating that sound as they read, the more they want to keep reading. Sometimes when they come across a poem that does not contain sound, they will not want to read it again.