SOL #6
Join the roundup with Robyn Campbell.
World Read Aloud Day was March 4, 2015. Sponsored by LitWorld.
On Facebook my poet/friend Amy Ludwig VanDerwater posted that she had some slots left for World Read Aloud Day Skype visits. I responded, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Not long before an email came. I will not go into all that it took me logistically and technically to make this happen, but on March 4th after a few test runs, Amy called my classroom. Squeals!
Amy was incredible. She even made a snowman for us. We are in South Louisiana, and we never have snow. At first we thought it was made with cotton balls like the ones we make. No, this one was real snow complete with a mini-carrot for a nose. Amy read a snowman poem to go with her snowman gift.
My students had prepared what they wanted to share with Amy–their own poems and poetry forms. Erin shared her staircase poetry form. Here are the rules:
1. Each line has to be longer than the other.
2. Make it as long as you want.
3. Make it unique.
4. Just have fun!
Reed and Nigel shared their PsyKu form. They challenged Amy to take the plunge and write one. The rules are here, and if you follow the link, be sure to read all the poetic contributions in the comments. Some crazy Psyku going on. The phenomenon spreads.
And Emily read some of her poems aloud. Amy invited her to send some poems for her to post in her Spotlight on a Student section of her blog, The Poem Farm. (Note: Amy’s site is a wonderful resource for poetry in the classroom.)
Kielan didn’t want to talk, but immediately after the visit, she created a PowerPoint tribute to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater.
Skype with Mrs. Amy Vanderwater!!
And Reed wrote this post including his favorite contributions to the PsyKu collection.
Many thanks to Amy and her snowman friend for spreading poetry love on World Read Aloud Day!
Reflections on the Teche 
How fortunate for your students. Amy is a marvel.
It was an honor to visit your class on World Read Aloud Day, Margaret! Where would I rather be? Thank you to you and to your students for making this happen and for sharing so much delicious poetry and excitement with me. And thank you to Kielan – this Powerpoint was a lovely way to start my day just as I head out into the land of crunchy Olaf-snow! Warm wishes and Happy Poetry Friday to all…xo, a.
Oh, that’s so wonderful! Amy must have been so impressed with your young poets! I love that she had a snowman sitting beside her. 😉 I was so sorry to miss celebrating WRAD. I’ve always celebrated with a Skpye visit. This year we were testing. 😦
What a treat! That’s Amy for you, like maple syrup on snow. How wonderful for your students to be able to share their work as well!
Lucky you, Margaret, and lucky for Amy too to have a poetry session with your poetry-loving students. Wonderful to hear all the celebration of poetry!
This sounds like so much fun! We were fortunate to have Tara Lazar Skype with us for World Read Aloud Day, and the kids had a blast. Such a memorable experience!
What a wonderful time was had by all, Margaret. I loved reading the interactions between Amy and your kids – so joyful and rich!
Sounds like a wonderful experience for all! Lucky, lucky kids.
How lucky your students are! When I was a kid I had no idea that writers were living, breathing people!
Wow! What an amazing celebration. It sounds like you did it right. I love the snowman and how the poem brought him (her?) to life.
Margaret, it definitely sounds like a great experience! Thanks for sharing such a great resource and for sharing the story. I love that Amy made the snowman! (We don’t get much snow in the SC Lowcountry, either…)
I love the way you tell your stories– I can “hear” you through what you write.
Have a great weekend!
I’m so happy I made it over here this morning, Margaret. Amy’s poem is wonderful, and these lines will “She understood/that books turn loneliness to good” are the absolute truth. So glad you and your students had such a great visit with Amy!
Sounds like you had a fabulous visit! How FUN that she made you a snowman!
What a great event! Sounds like everyone was inspired all around. What could be better?