By Romy Stephens
Students at Monbulk Primary School have been using poetry to bring smiles to the faces of residents at a local aged care.
The school’s Grade 3 and 4 students took part in a remote learning poetry unit, with work being passed on for residents at Emerald Glades to enjoy.
Monbulk Primary School 3/4 teacher Amy Sawyer said teachers wanted to provide students with an authentic audience to write for.
“We thought it would be suitable to create something special for our elderly citizens to enjoy during these tough times, particularly with aged care facilities being under strict lockdown rules,” she said.
“Students included poems written by themselves as well as poems written by other authors and these were created and selected with their audience in mind.”
Emerald Glades’ residents viewed the poems at a reading session on 8 September.
Grade 3/4 student Jimmy said the poems were created to entertain residents and “bring a smile to their faces during the pandemic.”
“I felt happy and proud because I was doing something that would make others feel happy and brighten up their day,” he said.
“It can feel lonely being away from your family and this is something they might like to read
to cheer them up.
“I really hope that reading poetry and all the poems that Monbulk Primary students have written for them will bring them joy.”
Fellow student Hunter said he hoped the poems helped residents reflect on positive parts of life.
“My favourite poem was Gathering Leaves by Robert Frost because leaves can change colours with the seasons from green, yellow, gold, orange, red to brown. The nature poems might remind the residents of gardening, picking leaves and going outside in nature,” he said.
“My favourite poem that I wrote was the AFL poem because I like playing AFL and lots of residents might have played footy themselves when they were younger.”
Meanwhile 3/4 student Zoe said she hoped residents felt happy knowing students were thinking of them.
“I hope that it distracts the residents from the difficulties of Covid-19 and gives them something to enjoy.”
