Join the roundup with Cathy at Merely Day by Day
This was a week all about magic. We started the week with a visit from Magic Mike, not the one you are thinking of, but a magician from New Orleans. I knew him when he was a teenager performing at birthday parties, and now he is on his way to an international magician competition this summer. One of my students is obsessed passionate about magic. It was amazing to watch the two of them go back and forth showing tricks and slights of hand.
Then on Wonder Wednesday, we looked at optical illusions on Wonderopolis. So today when we used an image writing prompt, the National Geographic image of two penguins in Antarctica, our minds were on illusion.
Jacob is a first grade gifted student fairly new to my class. He often needs more prodding and questioning during writing time so that I have to give up my own writing to help him. Not so today. At the end of our quick write, he announced that he had a poem to share. Five minutes or so earlier he didn’t even have a word written for the word list pre-writing activity. I gave permission for him to “steal” any of the words other writers had shared. I was moved to tears when I heard his poem because I knew it signified a turning point. Jacob is now a writer!
Two Penguins
Two penguins walking in fields of popcorn.
Their love is black and white.
Sliding their bellies on the icy snow.
–Jacob, 1st grade
My poem reflects the mood of the class, magic, illusions, and a little bit of Valentine’s Day love. Matthew created a card trick to go with my poem. He turned an ace of spades into an ace of hearts.
Spade to Hearts: A Magic Trick or Illusion?
I see a black spade
on Antarctic ice.
Mountains majestic, jagged, and tall
protect this frigid land
where two penguins
frozen in time
become a symbol
of love.
–Margaret Simon
“Walking in fields of popcorn”–it made my morning–thanks, Jacob!
“Their love is black and white.” Oh, if only it were always so simple. Welcome to the world of writers, Jacob.
Cathy
Big Antarctic welcome to Jacob! Their love is black and white indeed… I love the National Geographic prompt, esp. as I have just seen the first art for WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON ANTARCTICA, one of my 2016 books… a piece that features a pair of Chinstrap penguins and their fluffy chick. 🙂 Yay for penguins! And Margaret, I really like the black spade. Nice! (My sister was a magician for many years!) xo
So many connections. Excited to see your new book. Is it poetry? Please let me know if you are ever in the New Orleans area. I’d love to get together.
Way to write, Jacob! Awesome post today!
Wow-wonderful from that young “wordy” first grader. You’re giving those students wonders indeed, Margaret. Love your play on words too, penguins and cards-just fine!
There’s lots of magic in these poems, Margaret! Love them both, and the photo that inspired them.
[…] For a poetry writing exercise, I led my students to write about a National Geographic image. Â On Poetry Friday, I didn’t post the image with the poems. Â I posted a link to […]
Jacob’s poem = magic, indeed!
It does look like a field of popcorn! What a sweet couple. Nice job to both of you, and to Matthew for his magic trick accompaniment!