Poetry Friday: Poem Postcard, Anyone?
I am getting finished poem postcards from students. If you would like to receive one, please contact me via email: jmaccull at egreen d0t wednet dot edu.
The students have been having fun with these. From a first grader, who did this as “homework”:
Flip Flop, Hop Frog
Flippity flop
Did the frog hop?
Hop, hop the frog
did a big hop.
He hopped over a
frog. He played leap
frog all day long.
–Brooklyn, 1st grade
Tricia at Miss Rumphius Effect is rounding up Poetry Friday today.
Poetry, Poetry Friday, School, Uncategorized | Comment (1)White is Wednesday Full of Poems
I discovered upon reading Elaine’s post at Wild Rose Reader that color poems were the exploration of the week at The Miss Rumphius Effect . This was the perfect idea for my third graders today. Here are a few from Mr. Johnson’s and Ms Padden’s class:
Blue is the color of
Light blue sky all up above
Up, up it goes to the sky
Eight little white puffy clouds
Bright and happy
Eight white clouds with the sky
Reading a story of the sun
Reading about the clouds
Yellow so bright for the sun
–Bailey, 3rd grade
Brown is for bear
Even browner than ever
Are you afriad or are you not?
Run, run little bear
–Sierra, 3rd grade
Red, shiny bumper
At lightning speed
Cameras flash all over the stadium
Extreme crashing
Racing cars ZOOM
–Devon, 3rd grade
Yellow is the color of
the sun shining up high
a sunflower bending in the wind
a lemon, so sour
a star shining in the sky
the shine of the school bell
–Emily, 3rd grade
Red is the color of the sunset
Everybody can do anything
Anybody can win
Dreaming of darkness at night
–Forrest, 3rd grade
Blue is the color of my team
At bat, working hard
Shooting balls out of the park
Eating hot dogs at the game
Blowing hot-dogs
All of them cheer me
Losing by one
Last inning home run
–Tanner, 3rd grade
You are my sunshine
Entering my house with a bright light
Letting me see through the shadows of the dark
Luring me into the kitchen for some tea
Out to the porch I go with my tea
Wonderful, wonderful sun.
–Maya, 3rd grade
Happy Wednesday. Happy Reading.
MsMac
Kidlitosphere, Poetry, School | Comment (0)A Poem Regarding My Absence at a Book Challenge Hearing
There was a book challenge hearing last night in my district. The book, Feed by MT Anderson, was the challenged book. I read the book last year on the recommendation of a workshop presenter. Not my cup of tea but I can see how the book could resonate with teenagers, especially boys. The book had been at all but one middle school library as well as the high school libraries. The challenge came from a middle school parent. I did not go to the hearing. I am now sorry that I did not attend. I do not know that it would have changed the outcome. I was told that I would not be able to testify because I was elementary and the book was not in the elementary level. But I should have been there supporting a colleague and I was not.
In the spirit of National Poetry Month:
This is Just to Say
I did not attend
the book challenge meeting
which you probably
were wanting the support
from colleagues
and which the
audience was void.
It would have been great
people present
who understand
the need
to have books
available
that engage
readers in higher level
thinking skills
despite
the language
which can be heard
via a variety
of media formats;
despite the notion
that we may come
to live in a dystopia
one day
instead of a
utopia
Forgive me
I promise
the next time
(and hopefully there
will not be a next time)
you will look out into the
audience
and
I will be there.
Read. Read it all.
MsMac
Poetry Friday: Winning Poem and Third Grade Haiku
Yesterday 3rd through 5th grade celebrated “Poem in your Pocket Day”. Students either had a poem in their pocket or the could turn an original poem into me. My classes have been reading and writing poetry as well. Today a winner was selected from the basket of poems and Mikyla’s poem was selected. She wins a copy of Poems in Black and White by Kate Miller.
This is Just to Say
I have eaten
ALMOST
All of your
Chocolate
That you were probably
Saving for
Your slumber party with
Your friends tonight.
Forgive me
It was so
Delicious
That I think
I might
Just have to
Eat the rest.
Please!
–Mikyla, 4th grade
I read Dogku by Andrew Clements, One Leaf Rides the WindbyCeleste Davidson Mannis, and Wing Nuts: Screwy Haikuby Paul B. Janeczko and J. Patrick Lewis with third grade. Then they tried some. I found it helpful to provide some starting lines for them to choose and then have them make it their own. The one haiku, “WASL”, refers to our state testing that is occurring right now.
My younger sister
Funny, loves to play, she’s two
She’s still my sister
–Darina, 3rd grade
Haiku not fun
Boring, I do not like it
I don’t understand
–Jamal, 3rd grade
one leaf rides the wind
like a wind blows in water
and take it with you
–Olesya, 3rd grade
WASL, so much fun
Can be hard, but yes, still fun
WASL, fun, fun, fun
–Kailee, 3rd grade
right now I am in
library, it is fun
books that read to us.
–Alexus, 3rd grade
Play in the garden
Worms eating ivy leaves
Worm tummy is full
–Aislinn, 3rd grade
Play all day outside
Play with my dog at a beach
I am hungry now.
–Katya, 3rd
Jedi, very cool
Jedi fast and powerful
Jedi have the force
–Bailey, 3rd grade
Loud, fast, and crazy
Dog running in the kitchen
to make some noise
–Justin, 3rd
Lone garden tulip
neatly, leatly in a row
let’s make this flower
–Breanne, 3rd grade
The Well Read Child is doing the Poetry Friday Round-Up today. Head there for more poetry.
This weekend, I am
heading to Seattle to see my friend’s daughter’s Senior Photography Exhibit at the U of Washington, catching up on my 30 Days= 30 Poems, finishing Copper Sun by Sharon Draper, and going to book club to discuss Maisie Dobbs.
How about you? Happy Reading.
MsMac
Poetry, Poetry Friday | Comments (2)Poetry Friday: “This is Just to Say”
I love the William Carlos Williams poem, “This is Just to Say”. I was thrilled to have Joyce Sidman’s boook This is Just to Say win the 2007 CYBILS Award for poetry.
In honor of poetry month, my 4th and 5th graders have been using it as a model to write a poem for next Thursday’s “Poem in Your Pocket” Day.
Here are some selections:
This is Just to Say
I have eaten
All the chocolates
That were in
Your room
And which
You were probably
Saving them for
Mother’s Day.
Please forgive me
They were
So rich and creamy
It was the best chocolate ever.
–Megan, 3rd grade
This is just to say
I’m sorry for being a dork.
Please forgive me, I was just
Trying to get a laugh
I have realized now that
You were trying to teach
A lesson and my dorkness
Ruined it.
That was not okay, it was
Actually downright disrespectful
Of me.
And which your lesson you
Were probably saving a prize
if we did good and I
Jinxed everyone’s chances.
Forgive me, the urge was
Just irresistible.
–Kenese
This is Just to Say
I have eaten all
Your strawberries
That were in the
Refrigerator
And which
You were probably saving
For dinner
Forgive me
They were juicy
And scrumptious
By the way
Go buy more.
–Gabriela, 4th grade
This is Just to Say
I have taken
Your 10 lb. block of chocolate
Please forgive me. I ate
The whole thing but please
Don’t hide your chocolate
Under your bed.
I had to fight a dirty
Sock to get it.
–Delaney, 5th grade
This is Just to Say
I have stolen all the candy
That was in the candy jar.
And which you were
Probably saving for my
Birthday.
Forgive me.
They were the best.
But now I got
A stomach ache.
–Madeline, 3rd grade
This is Just to Say
I have stolen your love
That was in your heart
Which you probably
Were saving for me
Forgive me, it was everything
I wanted
It was beautiful and comforting.
–Yana, 5th grade
There are more fabulous poems here.
Happy Reading.
MsMac
Poetry, School, Uncategorized | Comments (9)Poetry Friday: It is National Poetry Month
My last day of spring break here in the northwest. Returned from New Jersey last night. I love it there; my parents hail from there, therefore I have cousins and an aunt whom I visited.
My offering for the 1st Friday of National Poetry Month, from the Academy of American Poets:
I carried my life,like a stone,
in a ragged pocket, but I
had a true weaving song, a sly
way with rhythm, a healing tone.
–Jay Wright
This may be of interest: April 17, 2008 is the “Poem in Your Pocket Day”. The Academy of American Poets has been encouraging “poem in your pocket day” for the last five years.
For more information head here: poets.org/pocket.
I am writing a poem a day for the NaPoWriMo and will feature those at Deo Writer. My students will be putting their own poems on postcards and sending them throughout the world. Want to receive one? Please email me at jmaccull at egreen dot wednet dot edu with your contact information.
From ore Poetry Friday, please visit Becky’s Book Reviews.
Happy Reading.
MsMac
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