Thanks to Robyn Hood Black for hosting Poetry Friday today.
Prepositions were on parade in my class this week. We brainstormed a list of prepositions. The list grew to 50 words. Wow! Who knew there were so many?
Students wrote poems in which each line began with a preposition. To help our readers along, we decided the title should give a clue to the theme. Students experienced through practice how to use prepositions, and it was fun.
Mother Nature
From the high branch
of that cypress tree
beyond the flowing bayou
near a wading heron
through the slightest breeze
toward my longing heart
upon this lonely landscape
for eternity.
—Margaret Simon, all rights reserved.My Rainbow
under the setting sun
across the ocean
with rays of light
through the oak trees
over the valleys
to the depths of the bayou
through my heart.
—Emily, 2nd gradeLouisiana
Through the tallest sugarcane
on the fastest feet
over the wettest mud
with the newest creatures
until I am at home
—Brooklyn, 5th gradeThe Innocent Mouse
in the classroom
nearby kids on top of their desks
inside the cabinet, scratching
out he comes
across the room
beyond the bathroom
under the desks
as the kids try to escape
from the tragedy
except he only wanted paper
—Keana, 6th grade
Reflections on the Teche 
Wow, these are wonderful – I love the expansiveness of your own poem, Margaret. And I love rainbows and Emily captures their essence beautifully. I love the compact-ness of Brooklyn’s, and the use of the superlatives throughout. And Keana’s poem is a delight, with it’s twist at the end. Who knew an exercise in prepositions could be a source of such wonderful creativity! Thank you.
Thanks. I’ll pass along your great comments to my students.
Wow, so fun! Thanks for sharing these!
Your poem is lovely, Margaret – and kudos to these young poets for their creative writing! They must have been paying attention to your modeling, and then they ran off in these wonderful directions. I love reading students’ poems. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by and for hosting today. I am enjoying this new community of writers and teachers I’ve joined.
I’ll be borrowing this poetry-writing/word study idea! Thank you!!