Even More Reasons to Write a Poem

April 7, 2015 by margaretsmn

Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for Tuesdays Slice of Life Challenge.

Use this button created by Leigh Anne Eck to post your Digital Poetry this month.

My writing critique partner and blogging friend, Catherine Flynn, wrote her own version of Some Reasons to Write a Poem by Bob Raczka from the newly released Poetry Friday Anthology of Celebrations. I commented that her poem would make a great mentor text for student writers. Then, of course, I had to try it myself. And with images. I’ve combined my words and images in two videos. One I made with my new favorite toy, Nutshell. The other I used an old favorite app, Animoto. Animoto gave me more flexibility in using my images. But I like the quick creativity of the Nutshell. Whatever video application you use, try out making a poem movie. And share on Twitter using #digipoetry.

Posted in Poetry, Slice of Life | Tagged anaphora, Bob Raczka, Catherine Flynn, list poem, poetry | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on April 7, 2015 at 10:43 am | Reply sallydonnelly11

LOVE this poetry idea!! Thanks for sharing. Words should be enough but more and more, I realize I can comprehend deeply when images are also provided. I still make the movie in my mind but I find with the provided images, I am comparing more and enjoying more. And I want to try out nutshell! Enjoy this POETRY month! Thanks for helping me enjoy it, too!
on April 7, 2015 at 11:22 am | Reply Irene Latham

Dear Margaret, I love the video treatment! Poems in the backyard. Poems everywhere! So many reasons to write a poem. Thank you!
on April 7, 2015 at 11:22 am | Reply Ramona

Loved stopping by, your poem makes me want Messner’s new book. I may have to put it on my Mother’s Day wish list. Springtime is so photo and poem worthy! Happy spring!
on April 7, 2015 at 1:11 pm | Reply jarhartz

Thank you for hightlighting this. (I missed Catherine’s post.) We are off for a three day field trip will take a role in the classroom when we return. Thank you so much for being a mentor for me and my students this month!
on April 7, 2015 at 5:17 pm | Reply Holly Mueller

I liked seeing the differences the two tools created. I enjoyed your happy poem!
on April 7, 2015 at 11:46 pm | Reply readingtothecore

Love your videos, Margaret! I think I like the Animoto version better because of the music and the sound of your wind chimes.
on April 8, 2015 at 1:43 am | Reply debbussewitz

Great videos, Margaret. Your work in digital literacy has been inspirational to watch unfold!
on April 8, 2015 at 4:25 am | Reply Linda Baie

Late to this word party, Margaret, but I’m so glad to arrive. Both are wonderful, but I like the music & sound of the 2nd one, best. The images are wonderful, especially that cat centerpiece! I need to find the time to play with these!
on April 8, 2015 at 6:11 pm | Reply Stacey Shubitz

“Because the Tuxedo Cat completes the centerpiece.” Yes, that is a great reason.

You know I’m going to spend hours playing with Nutshell now, right?
on April 13, 2015 at 3:33 pm | Reply A Few More Reasons to Write a Poem | Raising a Literate Human

[…] was inspired to create my own poem after reading Catherine & Margaret‘s blog poems (inspired by Bob Raczka‘s “Some Reasons to Write a Poem”) last […]
on April 14, 2015 at 10:33 am | Reply More Reasons to Write a Poem | Reflections on the Teche

[…] I love this poetry exercise inspired by Bob Raczka “Some Reasons to Write a Poem.” Stacey Shubitz of the Two Writing Teachers wrote one here that is personal to her mothering a four-year-old girl. Catherine Flynn’s version is here. My digital version here. […]