Inspired by Violet Nesdoly’s blog post Welcome Spring, my students and I wrote a collaborative poem about spring.
At first, I talked about the spring equinox and how it’s related to the rotation of the earth (to get in a little science content). Then I opened a blank document on the screen. Jayden said, “I hope we are going to write a poem. I love when we write poems.” My heart swelled.
We read it aloud to hear the beat. We rearranged stanzas. Landon suggested that we end the poem at night with fireflies.
First Day of Spring
by Jasmine, Kaia, Landon, Jayden
(edited by Mrs. Simon)
Happiness everywhere.
Let’s go to the Spring fair.Easter is near.
Wind tickles my ear.Green grass growing.
Dad lawn mowing.Mom is cleaning.
I am dreaming.Cherry blossoms blooming.
Sun’s light booming.Bees buzz.
Dandelion fuzz.When daylight ends,
fireflies descend.
On Sunday, our choir held an Evensong service. My fellow choir member and friend, Brenda, recorded the service. There were only 9 of us, but we made a joyful noise. Here, she put one of our hymns on YouTube. Enjoy Benedictus, one of my favorites. I sing alto. Listen for me.
I love that spring is in the air somewhere! It will take its own sweet time to reach us here in Maine-so I’ll experience vicariously with all you southern slicers!
Margaret,
The Lily are just what I needed this morning. The poem, beautiful pictures and the Benedictus 🙂
Welcome Spring.
I like how your student says, “Mom is cleaning, I am dreaming”.
Hasanna. 🙂
Purviben
@Trivediziemba
This is lovely! Such joy, exuberance and hope. I can especially relate to “Mom is cleaning / I am dreaming.” Happy Spring to Mrs. Simon’s class!!
Spring has been a very long time coming here in MT. Your post and the poem from your students promises all the things I love about spring! Except we don’t have fireflies. The slideshow with your ensemble’s song was beautiful! I love the glimpse into the landscape of Louisiana. My favorite is the last one; is that your church? I can’t get over that huge tree in front!!
“Benedictus” is lovely, and so is your honeyed alto voice, Margaret!
So much joy in backstory, in the poem, in music. I’m so glad I came by your space today. When I read your last sentence: “Listen for me.” I immediately thought of one of my favorite poems by that title — “Listen for Me” by Joyce Sidman. It’s a spring poem about peepers and their song. Are you familiar with it?
Thanks. I found the poem and a children’s choral arrangement. A nice treat!
Benedictus is lovely! I’m so glad you shared it. I’m always wowed by the power of choral music. I also so enjoyed the poem your class wrote, but the thing that most warmed my heart was the comment from Jayden, “I hope we are going to write a poem. I love when we write poems.” Priceless!
Thank you for sharing spring, Margaret! Everything here is covered with a fresh layer of snow. I’m longing for “green grass growing” and “cherry blossoms blooming” Your choir’s rendition of Benedictus is so lovely!
What Catherine said! Winter hasn’t gotten the message about spring up here, and it’s snowing as I type. Love thinking about spring in other places, though. Thank you for that.