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Poetry, Wonder, Rhythm, & Chocolate
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From: Vlasta K. Blaha <vkblaha>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 22:24:44 -0500
I'm grateful for the recent mention of "Poetry Breaks". You have given me lots of ideas that I'm anxious to use. Reading about so many favorites make me want to share even more of my favorite poems, so...
The poems collected by Tom Feelings called Soul Looks Back in Wonder has a really great poem called "I love the look of words" by Maya Angelou. I use it often but especially during Children's Book Week and Library Week when it's read over the PA system and shared in classroom book sharing sessions. Teachers appreciate the comparisons made between popcorn and reading so they use it as an example of writing using comparisons and get students writing some more. To quote: "When I have stopped reading, ideas from the words stay stuck in my mind, like the sweet smell of butter perfuming my fingers long after the popcorn is finished." Also look for "To You" by Langston Hughes and "I am the creativity" by Alexis DeVeaux (both in this same collection).
I'm fascinated by the musical rhythms created by the words in the book Dance with Me by Barbara Juster Esbensen. I especially like her poem about "The Gardener" because of active rhythmic feeling I get while reading it aloud. Students remarked easily about their reactions to her words and said often that they like the music she made. They also appreciated her images of bubbles floating in rainbow colors.
Another book of poems by Arnold Adoff, Chocolate Dreams, makes delicious reading and creates great poetry "skits" and poems for group reading along with actions and props. This "Chocolate" presentation was enjoyed by adults at a school talent show presented by teachers. Just another way to share poetry with sometimes reluctant readers of poetry.
Just this week I have been sharing poems from The Butterfly Jar by Jeff Moss. Elementary students have smiles all over their faces and can't stop commenting on the poem about "jelly beans up your nose". They enjoy this poem in all its silliness but also grasp its message and shared their own comparisons. The title poem, Butterfly Jar, gets them talking about friendship & sharing.
Vlasta K. Blaha Library Media Specialist Colby, Unity, & Dorchester (WI) Elem. Schools
vkblaha at midway.tds.net
Received on Wed 29 Apr 1998 10:24:44 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 22:24:44 -0500
I'm grateful for the recent mention of "Poetry Breaks". You have given me lots of ideas that I'm anxious to use. Reading about so many favorites make me want to share even more of my favorite poems, so...
The poems collected by Tom Feelings called Soul Looks Back in Wonder has a really great poem called "I love the look of words" by Maya Angelou. I use it often but especially during Children's Book Week and Library Week when it's read over the PA system and shared in classroom book sharing sessions. Teachers appreciate the comparisons made between popcorn and reading so they use it as an example of writing using comparisons and get students writing some more. To quote: "When I have stopped reading, ideas from the words stay stuck in my mind, like the sweet smell of butter perfuming my fingers long after the popcorn is finished." Also look for "To You" by Langston Hughes and "I am the creativity" by Alexis DeVeaux (both in this same collection).
I'm fascinated by the musical rhythms created by the words in the book Dance with Me by Barbara Juster Esbensen. I especially like her poem about "The Gardener" because of active rhythmic feeling I get while reading it aloud. Students remarked easily about their reactions to her words and said often that they like the music she made. They also appreciated her images of bubbles floating in rainbow colors.
Another book of poems by Arnold Adoff, Chocolate Dreams, makes delicious reading and creates great poetry "skits" and poems for group reading along with actions and props. This "Chocolate" presentation was enjoyed by adults at a school talent show presented by teachers. Just another way to share poetry with sometimes reluctant readers of poetry.
Just this week I have been sharing poems from The Butterfly Jar by Jeff Moss. Elementary students have smiles all over their faces and can't stop commenting on the poem about "jelly beans up your nose". They enjoy this poem in all its silliness but also grasp its message and shared their own comparisons. The title poem, Butterfly Jar, gets them talking about friendship & sharing.
Vlasta K. Blaha Library Media Specialist Colby, Unity, & Dorchester (WI) Elem. Schools
vkblaha at midway.tds.net
Received on Wed 29 Apr 1998 10:24:44 PM CDT
