I mentioned in the previous post that 1st graders are learning about shape poetry. While it can take many different forms, shape poetry is poetry that takes the shape of it's subject. To show students an example of words in the shape of an object, I used a website called Tagxedo: With Tagxedo, all you do is input the words and the shape you want, push a button, and voila! Instant art. While this isn't exactly a poem (or is it?), it gave students an example of what form their poems should take. I also showed 1st graders this example that I made with words that describe a cat: Here are their final shape poems about lizards, birds, dogs, and cats:
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Here at WTN, we're up to our eyeballs in poetry! Here's a glimpse into what we're doing at the moment...
In PreK we're reading oodles of Dr. Seuss stories like Horton Hears a Who and The Sneetches. We also have discussions about whether or not it's fair that the Sneetches with "starts upon thars" deserve to get special treatment. In Kindergarten we're preparing to write "5 sense poems", so last week we spent some time imagining we were on the beach (complete with the soothing sounds of the tide!). In 1st grade we're focusing on creating shape poems about animals. First we read poems about pets (our favorites were the poems in Who Swallowed Harold by Susan Pearson and David Slonim). Then we practiced describing different animals and putting our words into the shape of that animal (it's harder than it sounds!) In 2nd grade we became traveling poets when we visited various classrooms and recited poetry about snakes, turtles, and breakfast. It was good to perform our poetry for captive audiences! In 3rd and 4th grade, students are keeping poems in their pockets in the hope of being "caught" and winning a special prize. (National Poem in Your Pocket Day is April 26th, so we're getting an early start). In 5th grade, we are creating "found poetry" from novels and picture books. First we go on a word "treasure hunt" and pull words from our books (for example, the 5th word on page 1 or 3 nouns from page 23). We compile these words and attempt to create poetry from these words (this is also much harder than it sounds!) What are you doing to celebrate Poetry Month? Leave me a comment to let me know! Not only is it National Poetry Month, this week is also National Library Week (seriously, April could not get any better!). Head to your local or school library this week to celebrate, and check out a book while you are there. Today on the announcements, this poem by librarian Julia Donaldson was read by 5th grader Quinn Alexander. He was nice enough to share it with me afterwards:
Everyone is welcome to walk through the door. It really doesn't matter if you're rich or poor. There are books in boxes and books on shelves. They're free for you to borrow, so help yourselves. The librarian's a friend who loves to lend, So see if there's a book that she can recommend. Read that book, and if you're bitten You can borrow all the other ones the author's written. Over in the corner there's a table with seating. So come along and join in the Book Club meeting. Yes, come to the library! Browse and borrow, And help make sure it'll still be here tomorrow. April is National Poetry Month, and here at WTN we're shining our cinquains and polishing our limericks in order to celebrate! Have a poem you want to share? Post it in the comment section, and stay tuned for more poetry updates (click on the pictures to enlarge and see comments).
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