Poetry
Poetry is taught in March. Children learn how to look at the world through different eyes. I introduce the unit with a lesson on visualization. Children then create water colored pictures to share what images they had in their own mind. We learn that because of our background knowledge what we all might infer is unique and different.
Our second and third lesson consist of making observations. We look at simple objects such as a shell, eraser and items in our desks. We look at these ordinary objects with new poet eyes.
Our second and third lesson consist of making observations. We look at simple objects such as a shell, eraser and items in our desks. We look at these ordinary objects with new poet eyes.
 Visualization |
 Visualization |
Keep a POEM in your POCKET
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Talking to your subject
Children experiment with talking to their subject. I start the initial lesson off having them close their eyes and visualize that they are sleeping in their cozy bed at home. Suddenly, the sun starts to come through the window and it starts to slowly shine on their bed. Partnerships develop poems to the sun. One poem from a child:
Sun, Sun, Why do you sparkle in my face? Why do your shiny beams glisten on my bed? I want to sleep One more hour. Oh Sun, Oh Sun. |
Visualize and Write
At the center, a dark star
wrapped in white When you bite, listen for the crunch of boots on snow, snow that has ripened. Over it stretches the red, starry sky. -Nan Fry What did you visualize? What title would you give this poem? Many children visualized the red, starry sky. Others focused on boots crunching the white snow. The title of this poem is Apple. Now do you see it? |
