Celebrating Speed Poetry

My passion is collecting words! I notice unique features in words. I love to lift lines from books because of the beauty of the language.  I purchase books for my classroom based on having fun with words.  I love poetry.....not all students love poetry. 

First week of school, we spent a huge amount  of time discussing our classroom library and how should we organize our library.  It is still color coded which continues to make my heart happy.  All of my beloved poetry books just continued to sit on the shelf without an ounce of love given to them.  I watched my poetry shelf and not once, not even a passing by, did one reader choose to pull a book off the shelf.  Something had to change.  Yesterday was the day!!

I turned their frowns upside down.  As we started our official Poetry Friday celebration. We sat in the circle and discussed poetry - have to admit I almost dozed off from the lack of conversation.  Finally I had two students walk over and choose 12 books apiece. Each reader had a book.  Welcome to "Speed Poetry"  30 seconds with a book and pass.  I suggested having their Literacy Spiral open because you never know when you want to write down a title that you might want to read later........ GO!!

It was one of those priceless moments as a teacher...everything was perfect.  Everyone was talking, laughing, telling their neighbor to look at a certain poem.  I had to pause longer than 30 seconds because there wasn't enough time to write titles.  It was heaven with poetry in Room 234.  

I am celebrating because once again I have a little time on Friday night to blog for Saturday morning.  I am celebrating joining my Saturday Celebration community.  But most of all I am celebrating 24 smiles and perhaps a change in heart for poetry. 

Icing on the cake:  "Mrs. Caplin, can I take a poetry book home for the weekend?" 

Celebrating Poetry with #wonderchat

My journey in celebrating poetry Friday has been one of the areas that I am most proud of as I reflect on this school year.  I have posted several posts about my learning.  Here are a few snapshots.

Searching and finding poetry book gems!

Technology and Poetry Friday

Is your class celebrating Poetry Friday? 

Most of learning curve happened because I have been following Poetry Friday and several conversations with my friend, Mary Lee at A Year of Reading.  In addition, twitter has opened up new conversations and my virtual PD is the BEST community that I participate in to help me grow professionally.

I am extremely excited to announce this Tuesday, April 23 @ 8:00 Amy at Poet Farm is going to be guest hosting our #wonderhchat.  We will be combining poetry and wonder with Wonderopolis.  Please consider joining us in this exciting chat. Thanks Amy for helping us build inspiration with poetry and wonder.

 

Poetry Friday is hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem

Poetry Friday is WONDERful!

WE celebrate Poetry Friday in our class because my students want to celebrate poetry. WE have so much fun reading poems, sharing original poems and discussing poems. Imagine my surprise when last Friday, one of my students asked me:  "Why don't we use Wonderopolis on Friday with our poetry celebration?"  I stopped, pondered and gave my student a Smartie because he is so smart.  We always look at Wonderopolis on Wednesday, but I hadn't used the site for Poetry Friday.  As I did a search, I found the wonders listed above but there are plenty more for figurative language.

  

As your class celebrates poetry, remember April is National Poetry Month.   I would encourage you to check out these wonders and this insightful blog: Wonders for National Poetry Month from my friend, Barbara.  

Poetry Friday with some Revision

If I continue to go amazing conferences, someday I will become a poet possibly? My first poem was written with Ralph Fletcher's help at AllWrite.  Kate Messner helped me write my second original poem.  At least, I am working with the BEST teachers in the world. I posted about my reflection time from Kate's session on Real Revision.  Kate is masterful with modeling for us how to use revision. She asked us to go through a 6 step process using Poetry.  

#1 write for 3 min. about a favorite place if you have a picture use it 

Beautiful lake, wooden crooked floored dock, cool water,hot shimmering 
sun,hang out on the dock in the middle of the lake, difficult to reach, 
olden red rowboat, straggling fishing poles, dried bread crumbs from 
the morning fishing. Smell of blueberry pie lofting downward

#2 She modeled a Sometime Poem - here is my attempt.

Sometimes I want to go back to the cabin in the woods

Smelling the pine trees and quietness of the air

Standing on the porch looking out at the lake
Glimmering with the sun sparkling on the water
As I begin my journey down the path,
I leave the smell of a blueberry pie cooking in the oven

Walking slowly down the hill slipping on acorns 
Meandering through the path of wild flowers painted yellow and pink
Noticing the painted sailboats off in the distance

wondering when will I ever be able to sail one by myself? 

Sometimes I want to go back to the cabin in the woods 

#3 Revise with adding one of the 5 senses
#4 Revise with asking what would your poem say to you?
#5 Revise and act out a verb - watch the actions record in writer's notebook
#6 Cut out 20 words of the Sometime Poem

This was a quick easy process that I enjoyed and modeled for my own students.  Several of my students are now using the steps in their own writing. As both Ralph and Kate said, "to be a writer you must write."  Find some time this weekend to enjoy writing.

Poetry Friday is Integration!

I am sad to say last week we did not celebrate Poetry Friday!  I had to make a choice because of giving diagnostics which was not a choice.  So I chose not to do Poetry Friday, and I am pleased to announce that three students voiced their concern during our class meeting Friday afternoon.

"If we have to give up something, please do not choose Poetry Friday."

"I finally like poetry and so let's not give it up now."

"I was ready to sing today in Poetry Friday.  Can we sing now?" Of course the answer was YES!!

So I learned a few valuable lessons. First I already have my class hooked on Poetry Friday and most of them are anxious to celebrate it.  Second,  their comments reinforced how much students want and need routine in our class.  Finally and most exciting--- they missed it!

I am happy to report when the students returned to school - we celebrated Poetry Monday!  How could I not after listening to their comments Friday afternoon in class meeting.  After math class, I passed out the above poems, and I encouraged the students to write around the poems.  This is still a challenge at this time of year but already they are making progress.  As you can see from my notes, we rolled word study (the sound of long o & verb tenses) poetry (stanza, rhyme scheme notice the rectangles, triangles, circles in the first poem) vocabulary (synonyms strange/weird, exact/precise), connections (guidance lesson), set up (font change) and just had fun.  We were all exhuasted but in a good kind of way.  Are you celebrating Poetry Friday?   You should be--- you can hit every standard in one poem!

Thanks Laura for hosting today's Poetry roundup at Writing the World for Kids

Is Your Class Celebrating Poetry Friday?

If I could produce a commercial, I would make one for the celebration of Poetry Friday. We just celebrated our first Poetry Friday last week and before we even started I had grunts, groans and actually a comment, "Are we really doing poetry every Friday?" It saddened me, and I just had to pause for a moment and tell myself that my goal is to shift their thinking about poetry this year.

I wonder: what is your class feeling about poetry this year?  I sure got an instant barometer on my class about their feelings.  If you have never tried Poetry Friday here is a link to how I started to celebrate Poetry Friday in my classroom. I would encourage you to try celebrating poetry this year.

I put up an overhead of the poem "Smelly Locker"  from Smelly Locker: Silly Dilly School Songs . I always start the year with singing poetry. It was interesting to see their bodies shift in their seats as they first read the poem silently. Then we sang Frere Jacque and a few more students were warming up to the idea.  Finally we sang the poem aloud to the tune of Frere Jacque.  A few students started moving in their seats; one student stood up and started dancing. So I suggested we sing it again with motions that could be made up as they were singing. At this point half the class was standing and dancing, many of the them copying their goofy teacher singing and dancing right along with them.  After we finished singing, I asked them about how they liked the poem?  One student blurted out: "That was not poetry."  I inquired, and we discussed the organization of it:  stanza, rhyme pattern, theme etc.  Slowly their thinking began to shift.  

We will continue to have fun with poetry on Friday - will you be joining us?

This week Renee has the Poetry Roundup at  No Water River

Poetry Friday: Don't Forget These Titles

I have pulled my first 5 Poetry Books to share with my class when we I introduce Poetry Friday next week.  I am so excited to look through them and reread my all time favorite poems.  I will sticky note one in each book, so I can hook my students. My favorite poem title is under each book.  I will then send them out in groups of 5 to share the book and tab their own. We will end our first Poetry Friday with sharing their favorite choices.  Have a great start to your 2012-2013 Poetry Friday celebrations. And remember Poetry Friday is delicious!

The Drinking Fountain

Wonder Through the Pages

Abuela

I Met a Dragon Face to Face

Calling All Readers

Thanks to Mary Lee for hosting this week's poetry Friday with a snickerdoodle roundup @ A Year of Reading

Poetry Friday Summer Finds

Not often do I purchase books anymore without visiting my local library. Actually the librarian told me I make the best referrals for new books. I took that as a high compliment. However, I broke my rule for these two new poetry books after reading the recommendations I purchased them instantly.  

 As I researched the Green Mother goose I found this amazing website:  Poetry for Children that helped me with my final decision.  First of all I am shocked that some of my students don't remember basic nursery rhymes. I learned this the hard way when I read Spot the Plot last year and my students didn't know traditional picture books, so I have decided it's my last ditch effort to help my students remember the oldies but goodies. 

Here is the summary:  Mother Goose has gone green in this recycled book of 30 familiar Mother Goose rhymes. Jack Pratt addresses healthy eating in this new green version where he eats junk food fat and outgrows his pants. This Little Piggy saves water, bikes, uses alternative energy and squealed “Re-re-recycle!” all the way home; Mother Hubbard shops with cloth grocery bags. This eco-friendly picture book introduces recycling, organic gardening, free-range chickens, alternative energy, and protecting the environment to children through the use of nursery rhymes. The illustrations further the eco-friendly theme by creating collages from ticket stubs, newspapers, and other reused items. The book is printed with soy-based ink on paper made from mixed sources including recycled wood and fibers.

The other book I purchased is Edgar Allan Poe's Pie by J. Patrick Lewis.  This is a list of classic poems written in puzzle form. I have been searching for math openers and this will be perfect, I am so excited to share this on Friday with my math class.  Thanks Karen for suggesting it in your blog post: It's Monday, What are You Reading?   I researched it and found a great review on Kirkus Reviews.  

It is almost too easy to purchase books, but I am trying to stay true to my rule.  But I just couldn't after reading this review:  Fourteen famous poets and some of their more prominent works are the basis for Lewis’ parodies, which are all in good fun and retain the structure, rhyme and rhythm of the originals. Each poem presents children with at least one math problem to solve, and many of them require several steps to get to the final answer. The level of difficulty varies as much as the poems themselves. Teachers will appreciate the wide array of mathematics required to solve the puzzles. In addition to the four basic operations, the challenges test knowledge of fractions, percentages, decimals, area, perimeter and money.

 Poetry Friday round up is at A Teaching Life.  Thanks Tara for hosting, and I hope you enjoy your conference today. Can't wait to learn more from you!

Poetry Friday - - Mentor Texts

 I am at the All Write Conference in Warsaw, IN totally overwhelmed with amazing and inspirational ideas about literacy. I started my morning listening to Ralph Fletcher. His topic was about mentor texts. He asked us to write a poem lifting the first and last line from his poem that he shared. Thanks Mary Lee at A Year of Reading for our conversations the past few days and your encouragement with poetry.

GOOD OLD DAYS

Sometimes I remember the good old days 

sitting on the bleachers watching the game.

Listening to the blue say strike two 

watching with anticipation that strike three would be next. 

Bases loaded sixth inning two outs 

the pitch comes in crack of the bat. 

I stare at right field as the ball is caught

he comes off the mound with a smile on his face. 

I still can't imagine anything better than that.

Amy at The Poetry Farm has the Poetry Friday roundup this week.  

Poetry Friday: Magic!

Poetry Friday this year was magic! The students looked forward to celebrating poetry. We started every Friday with a poem and this message on the board:
-Read around the poem
-Think around the poem
-Share a poem & Love a poem
The students learned through constant modeling first trimester what those 4 phrases meant.  What 5th grader doesn't love breaking the rules of grammar which is what poetry can be about?  What 5th grader doesn't love reading the poem "Boogers" and laughing hysterically?  We built our community of poets and finally by winter we had a few students writing original poems and sharing them each week. We responded with all of us clicking our fingers loudly. The class actually decided original poems clicking and poems shared from books clapping. 

We celebrated poetry third trimester with students writing their first poem of the year with teacher directions. My all time favorite poetry book is When Riddles Come Rumbling Poems to Ponder. A perfect subtitle for this book. The word ponder allows students time to think. I used the book as a mentor text all year. I first introduced it to my class with context clues. Next I used it for strong description (adjectives). Then I used it in our Earth and Space science class. We used it for defining the word: attributes before we started discussing characterization in reading. Finally I had the students write their own poems and that is when Love a poem came alive this year!  Poetry Friday is magic!

Our celebration of class poems for graduation to share with parents.

Hidden title:  Apples

Thank you Linda for hosting Poetry Friday at TeacherDance 

Slice of Life & OLW = Reflection

My last few days before Spring break were not what I expected, and I have to admit that the unexpected surprises made me stop to reflect. Have you ever watched the show Blues Clues? I always loved the part where they sang, "We just got a letter, we just got a letter, we just got a letter, I wonder where it's from?" Starting after Spring break, we will be singing, when my students get their mail. I always have my students write a business letter to request information for their report. I met with my students for writing conferences, and I did a wide variety of mini lessons that were a great review of skills. To be honest most of the review skills, I would have anticipated my students already knew them. I am thankful that I took the time for those conferences. I just mailed their letters this morning, and I was excited to see the wide range of addresses that the letters were mailed too. In addition, I got to teach a “life lesson” that if you mail a letter to London, England it costs a little bit more for postage.  Another fun surprise was on Poetry Friday when Harshitha told me that she wrote a poem with her younger sister at home.  I told her how excited I was that she was working on poetry at home and more importantly working with her sister. But then she asked me if she could go get her first grade sister because they wanted to read it together for our class.  After walking downstairs to get her sister, they shared a special poem: "The Ride on the Bus." 

What a special memory! 

Have You Ever Considered Poetry Friday?

I have to tell you there have been many times in my teaching career that I have been surprised but most of my surprises come from Poetry Friday.  No matter what and I mean no matter what I commit to at least 30 minutes every Friday for students to share poetry.  I start in the beginning of the year just singing poems along with my class and then sharing some fun poems that I tab to allow my students learn about our different poetry books in our classroom. We just enjoy poetry.  Once we have established that Poetry can be fun-which is sometimes hard to prove to 5th graders.  We then begin to have mini focus lessons on Poetry Friday.

*What is Poetry?
*Sounds of  Poetry
*Forms of Poetry

When I first started Poetry Friday, I was really unsure about how to make the shift in my teaching.  I heard of an amazing book by Georgia Heard:  Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School.  The ideas for the classroom really changed my teaching especially the heart mapping activity (p. 108).  I typically do that the first three weeks of school, and I leave my heart map up as a model for the class for quite a while. We have had some great conversations from my heart map.  We use these heart maps all year not only in Poetry Friday but also writing workshop. If you haven't read this book I would suggest you move it to your To Be Read pile..my favorite chapter is Making a Poetry Environment.  Poetry Friday round up is at A Year of Reading-thanks Mary Lee.

Poetry Friday: State Testing & Idioms

In my school district, we start our state testing next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I have blogged and voiced my concerns about the state tests.  I was thinking about state testing and for some reason idioms came to mind.  My apologies for not a typical poem but thought it might be fun to share.


I throw my hat into the wind as testing starts next week.
I had a major chip on my shoulder however I know this test is a drop in the bucket when I reflect on my students' learning this year.
My hope would be that my parent community realizes a picture paints a thousand words and their child's picture has been a work of art since September and will continue to be painted through the end of May. 
I hope my students hit the hay early and don't get up on the wrong side of the bed the morning of the tests.
I predict  my students will  break a leg and go the extra mile on their 2 and 4 pt. responses. They need to go for broke as well and use their loaf. 
By the way I will enjoy testing when pigs fly! 


Best of luck to all students who are taking states tests next week and congratulations to all the teachers who have gone above and beyond in preparing their classes!!


Check out Poetry Friday @ The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks for hosting Tabatha.

Expanding Poetry Friday!

I decided long ago that Poetry Friday was going to be a celebration of poetry as much as enjoyment of poetry.  We accomplished one of the main goals of focusing on fluency. One way to have fun practicing fluency is through the book Runny Babbit which plays on switching initial consonant of two words.  In addition, some students chose to make their poem interactive as well as help the audience with understanding the poem especially  from one of the class favorites:  Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein. 

Sharing the xeroxed poem as well as helping the audience see
the play on words with the sentence strips.

Here is a video to help you enjoy Runny on Rount Mushmore.