Poetry Friday round-up is with Carol at Beyond Literacy Link.
I love to celebrate birthdays in my classroom. Last week I asked Dawson what he wanted for his birthday celebration, expecting an answer like cupcakes, and he said, “Chalkabration!” Dawson’s only experienced one chalkabration, but he loved it.
In order to have a chalkabration, we have to write small poems. I put 5 different form choices on the board: haiku, 15 words or less, zeno, cinquain, diamante, and acrostic. The topic, of course, was ice and snow since we returned this week from a week hiatus due to an ice storm. More than ever before, my students had the experience needed to write about this topic.
Sometimes, my kids blow me away with their poetry. Austin was not willing to share in the classroom, but he did chalk his poem. Austin’s been reading books by Jason Reynolds. I feel like he channeled Jason in his poem.
In every person, their wounds may be bad.
Cold and solid, you can
Either sit and freeze or wake up and melt.Austin, 6th grade
Cold winter nights Old melting ice Long icicles hanging from rooftops Dangling from trees are the frozen leaves. by Faith
This is my zeno poem. Zeno is a form invented by J Patrick Lewis with a syllable count of 8,4,2,1,4,2,1,4,2,1. Each one syllable rhymes.
Conditions in the clouds above
temperatures of
cold air
low
condensed to form
flutter
flow
tiny icy
crystals
snow–Margaret Simon
Reflections on the Teche 
A very “cool” thing to pick for his birthday! I like the artistry combined with poetry. “Either sit and freeze or wake up and melt” is wonderful!
I remember when you and Betsy would do chalkabration every month. I loved reading those and watching students create masterpieces. What a lovely birthday request!
It is such a simple way to make poetry fun!
Wake up and melt. GO, AUSTIN! I love that line, that advice, and the whole chalkabration. Wonderful! xo
Yes, go Austin! I love the pix and the poems. There is something moving in ephemeral art. I like your poem, too, icing on the cake.
What a terrific activity. This is something I should try. Wake up and melt is spot on, Austin!
Wow! What a wonderful activity!
Some very astute, insightful students you have there – these are great!
I”m in agreement that Austin is AMAZING in his insight and courage. Such a great activity. I hope you let your students know how much good cheer they are sharing with us in so many far-flung places.
These are wonderful and your students are lucky to have such a passionate engaging teacher! What fun!!! This seems to be the PF for me to write down all sorts of new ideas for poetry prompts or structures. A Zeno poem is going on that list right now. Love yours!
Wonderful welcome back to school! That birthday wish would warm any icy heart! Austin’s insights made me melt.
And thank-you for the introduction to the Zeno. You make it look effortless.
What a fun way to celebrate a birthday!!
There is something so special with acrostic poetry – I find it so cleverly done! Welcome back to school. 🙂
Amen, Austin. Amen.
O.M.G. Can I be in your class? PleasePleasePLEASE??? As always, your students blow me away, and you, Mrs. Simon, write one heck of a frozentastic zeno!
Ice storm in Louisiana! I never think of the south as having winter elements but the weather conditions are change a g all over so anything is possible. It is fun to read your students’ responses. I am hoping you and the children give me permission to create a collage of their work for my winter gallery. If yes, I need the name of the boy who is in the photo under Erin. Thanks, Margaret. Have a great day.
What a wonderful idea! I love your students’ poems. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Oh my. I didn’t know about Zenos. How cool! And the Chalkabration. What a fabulous idea. And the fact that he chose it out of other options is just, well, amazing. Hurrah!
Wow! I want to take part in a chalkabration, too! These are amazing.
Another “wow” from me! For Austin, for all of your fine students, and you, too. Such a terrific way to celebrate – anything!
I love how the “restriction” of a small poem makes the ideas shine and shimmer. Love your zeno! Everyone here seemed in a daze during the snow week, and then last week was “hair on fire.”
Oh, what a fun post Margaret! Love your kids “Chalkabration” poems. Aren’t they lucky to have you. I like your snowy weather Zeno too, thanks!
So inspirational! I can’t wait until spring arrives in MT when I can take my kinders outside for our own chalk-a-bration!
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