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33+ Fun Ways to celebrate poetry

 Tips for Poets: Observation

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   Using my poetry collections in your classroom? Click on slides below.
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       Writing Poetry with Kids

       A Wealth of Web Resources

 
     Student Poets — sites that publish young writers as well as writing advice 

       Children's Publishing — helpful web resources on those interested in publishing children's literature

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Writing Skills | Poetry Forms

Brainstorming
(Flashlight Poems) Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
 
Cinquains
Teacher's Guide for Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
Teacher's Page Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
 
Personal Experiences
Teacher's Guide for Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
Companion Guide & Discussion Guide
for Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems
 
Mask (Persona) Poems
Teacher's Page for Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems
 
Imagination
Teacher's Guide for Fold Me a Poem
 
Point of View
Teacher's Guide for Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
Supporting Details
Teacher's Guide for Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
Companion Guide for Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems
Word Play
Quiddling with Words The Great Frog Race

 


Ideas for Writing Poetry with* Kids


* The word, 'with,' was deliberately chosen. When adults write along with young writers they send a powerful message: We are all writers with the same joys and frustrations.
 

Candle Flame
    

I've never forgotten the enchantment of writing poetry in a quiet classroom, lit only by flickering candles.  Such a simple idea and so magical!  (Thank you! to one of my favorite high school teachers — Vicki Pierson at Corvallis High, Corvallis, Oregon)


 

Art as Muse


Inspiration for poems can come from anywhere, including works of art. Writing poetry in response to art is both challenging and exciting. I was asked to submit poetry for two anthologies — one in which I chose the art (Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art) and one in which the art was assigned (Hoofbeats, Claws & Rippled Fins: Creature Poems). I enjoyed both approaches.

Although, Hoofbeats, Claws & Rippled Fins: Creature Poems is out of print, copies are available at the library or  Alibris. Visit Stephen Alcorn's site for a look at the frog  Lee Bennett Hopkins assigned as my subject: Use these fine anthologies as a starting point to help students discover how different poets responded to self-selected or assigned works of art. Then, use art posters, slides, art books, or even a trip to a local art museum as the foundation for a poetry writing exercise. I hope your students have as much fun exploring "Art as Muse" as I did.

 
 

Observation Walks


 I like to take students on observation walks (not runs!).  It really doesn't matter where we wander - the idea is to simply slow down, and look. I often bring poems that relate to what we might see.  (Such as poems about fog for a foggy day.)  I let the children write about whatever catches their fancy.  The only "rule" is that they try to find something new to say: the fire hydrant is a stout soldier - the fog is hiding in the tree branches...  (The only time I haven't loved doing this with children was the day we discovered a dead mouse in a field...)
 

"Mr. T."


   Children (and adults!) often have difficulty writing about topics in the abstract.  Sometimes  intriguing show and tells—such as 'Mr. T.'—a caged pet tarantula will spark young writers.  The students' tarantula poems—written from direct observation—were fresh and engaging. 



Read on for some great ideas from teachers and librarians across the country:

Introducing Acrostics!


by Joy Acey, a talented poet and teacher in North Carolina. Thanks, Joy!

    Sometimes you need a quick way for the members of a group to get to know each other.  Writing an acrostic poem is a great way to do this.  I like using paper bags for this exercise.
     An acrostic poem forms a word vertically from horizontal lines. (Doesn’t that sound confusing?)  Just have each person write their name vertically down the bag and then use one letter to start the word for their line of poetry.
    My name ends up looking like this:

          Jubilation
          Oh
          Yeah!

See how the letters reading down spell my name JOY?  You can use single words or whole phrases.

Here’s another example:

         Frantic roosters
         Ring up the sun
         Each day at
         Dawn

    When everyone is done line the bags up on a table or along the wall so people can walk by to read the poems.

Poetry Parties


Cathy, a teacher from California writes:
   "I teach third grade, and we have begun a Poetry Party.  During the week the children either look through poetry books, or search the Poetry Box for a poem to bring on Friday.  One student each week is the "host" of the party and provides a nutritious snack to have after the students have all had a chance to either read or recite the poem they have chosen.  Some of the students even write their own poem to share with the class.  I have found that this has been a wonderful way to end the week!"

Poetry Gifts

 
Maureen Meyers, a 2nd grade teacher from Conover Road School in Colts Neck, New Jersey writes:  
   "Give the gift of poetry. A love of poetry can last a lifetime! Have students consider creating poetry magnets, bookmarks, and postcards as the gift giving season draws near. Find or create poems with special meanings for the person who will receive it. A love of poetry can be contagious.... so help to spread it!"

Beach Poem Party


Rhonda Gatlin a teacher at Andrew J. Mitchell Elementary in Boulder City, NV writes:  
   "I just finishing doing a Beach Poem Party at my school with another teacher.  I teach 2nd and she teaches first.  We had the children write acrostic, rhyming and free verse.  We invited our parents with beach towels, decorations of the beach and had lemonade and pecan sandies for a treat.  Each read their poem using a microphone. Then the poems were bound and given to the parents to keep from the poem party.  This was a wonderful experience and I will try it again next year with maybe a few more teachers.  This is really the first time I have made poetry such a big part of my curriculum.  Thanks for letting me share. I am looking forward to sharing your books." 

Rhymes and Rhythm


  Carol Wallen, a librarian in Indiana writes:  
   "I had to write again to share an idea for teaching poetry to small children (3-5 age range): since kids naturally love strong rhythms and fun rhyme,  I am putting together "Rhythm and Rhyme" - a public library program (I am employed in the Johnson Co. Pub. Lib. System).  My basic idea is to use a large area (outdoors or a conference room), lots of old paper towel tubes and various other noise makers, and our bodies. I will read strongly rhythmic rhymes/poems and the kids and I will march/jump/skip/beat - according to particular poem's "feel"!  It will be noisy fun, and should, I hope, instill the fun and music of language in the kids.  I know this isn't anything "new", but it will be to myself and the area's kids.  We'll have a good time!" 


 

Wonderful Web Resources

 

Amazing Poetry Content at The Miss Rumphius Effect
 
 First Attempt at Poetry from Two Writing Teachers blog  An engaging look at a talented teacher as she guides her Kindergarten students towards discovering the joys of language and poetry.
 
Sylvia Vardell's resource-rich blog
Laura Candler's reading and poetry resources
  

Poet's Paradise: A Collection of Helpful Resources Thanks, Michelle, for sharing this terrific resource!

Explore haiku at The Haiku Society of America.

Fooling with Words by Bill Moyer


Harris Middle School in Tennessee has a terrific poetry resource site with sequential lesson plans that can be enjoyed by students and teachers alike. Check it out! 

Introducing poetry to children is a delightful essay by Charlotte Mason with some very wise suggestions. I particularly enjoyed: "With Tact and a Tiny Bit of Enthusiasm."

Bank Street Bookstore !!!

Poem Farm by Amy Vanderwater

Poetry Power on Planet Esmé includes a delicious essay on poetry, activities, and recommended books.

"Poetry Starters" from Kathi Appelt will "prime the pump" and get you started writing!

Plus...Potato Hill Poetry is great resource.

Poetry 180 - A Poem a Day for High Schools  is Billy Collins' first project as Poet Laureate. Check it out then click here to read the selected poems.

Enhancing a Poetry Unit with American Memory
focuses on using "found poetry" from the Library of Congress databases of memoirs collected for the Federal Writers' Project by the Works Progress Administration.

Teachers and Writers Collaborative

Web English Teacher
maintains a comprehensive site with links to individual poets and poetry-related lesson plans.

Jim Zola's
wonderful article on poetry.

 



Student Poets   

The links below feature poetry by young authors or offer invaluable writing advice. 

NewPages.com has a wealth of resources for young writers.

Poetry Alive! publishes one student poem per month. Check out the poems!

River of Words
inspiring, award-winning poems by students

Karla Kuskin shares wonderful advice on writing free verse poetry


 

Children's Publishing


Other resources that will be helpful if you are interested in publishing for children.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is the "must join" organization for children's writers and illustrators

The Children's Book Council 
 

Author Aaron Shepard's Kidwriters Page offers wise and generous advice to new authors

Don't miss author Cynthia Leitich Smith's Children's Literature Resources

Newbery-award author Linda Sue Park offers valuable in-depth advice

Editor Harold D. Underdown

One-On-One Plus Conference at Rutgers University
 



Searching for a Specific Poem?

 
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The American Verse Project

bartleby.com

 

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