.
Bridget Magee, our Poetry Friday hostess, just released an anthology around the number 10. I ordered it from Amazon and received it yesterday. I jumped right in and read poems from many of my Poetry Friday friends. Here is what Bridget wrote about her motivation for curating and publishing this anthology:
As the TENTH child born into a family of TEN children in the TENTH month, I am fascinated by the number ten. Add TENACITY to that fascination and the idea to create this anthology was conceived.
Bridget Magee, introduction to 10 x 10 Poetry Anthology
Every week I post a photo that begs to be a poem here on Reflections on the Teche as well as on my classroom Fanschool space. This week I was particularly struck by how the photo of a close-up of dragonfly wings inspired metaphors. Stained glass, mosaic art, prehistoric maps are a few that appeared in the small poems in the comments.
I was able to grab the student’s own writing to teach and reinforce the concept. Children can use figurative language long before they have a name for it.
Avalyn wrote “like a chandelier” in her notebook, and I took the opportunity to teach her about what she had just done. She had created a “simile.” I told her she could use the colored markers to underline it in her notebook and write the word simile in the margins. Her next line was “a clear shower curtain and the outline of your window.” I directed her to choose another color to mark the metaphor. Then I read her my poem and allowed her to mark my poem with the same colors. I was almost giddy with delight to be able to notice and note a gem in my second grade student’s writing.
This experience makes me wonder about photography and writing. Did the writing change if I told the children the photo was dragonfly wings? I told Jaden what the image was before he wrote, so he decided to google “dragonflies” and included a science fact in his poem.
Wings
by Jaden, 6th grade
like glass designs
shedding light
zipping through the sky
30 wing beats every second
bzz-bzz the dragon fly
slips by.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about retirement. I envy my poet-teacher-friend Mary Lee Hahn who has a poem about retirement today. But moments like these in my classroom writing alongside such gifted and talented writers inspires me and makes me a better person. I think I’ll stick with it a little longer.
Reflections on the Teche 
Thanks for sharing the student poems, and the wonderful moments of teaching and discovery. The dragonfly wings photo is so evocative.
Margaret, you seem to me to be a very thoughtful teacher and I am sure you have been working very hard during these last two difficult years. Jaden’s poem is wonderful mixing art (like glass designs) with a fact (thirty beats/minute). I hope he enjoyed writing this.
These moments with our students are everything. Your students are lucky to have you just as you are cherishing your time being able to share your wisdom. I love both Avalyn and Jaden’s poetic take on this photograph.
Jaden’s poem is gorgeous! I can tell you are an amazing teacher. Your students are so fortunate to have you. Deciding when to retire is so hard, but I think you’ll know when it’s time. xo
When I first saw the photos I thought they were of old wood. I couldn’t figure it out…which I loved. But, I’m happy–HAPPY finding out more information through research. I’m so lucky to live in the time of internet! Jaden, your poem is wonderful. I love your science fact.
Oh the gifts we get from students. All of your examples are spot on and I can see why they make you smile at their journey. I love how Jaden elevated his poem by checking on dragonflies. Still creating a wonderful poem.
It’s hard losing these muses……though you can find others. I miss the classroom but not the “extra” stuff.
What beautiful inspiration, and what wonderful poems your students have created in response. They are lucky indeed to have a teacher who is opening up the world of words to them.
These moments of magic are worth treasuring! It’s fun to see your process of nurturing writing talent starting over again with Avalyn. You are so lucky to have a multi-age teaching gig that allows you to learn alongside your students!
I do miss moments like these, Margaret, & love that you share about them. My time with the granddaughters helps, but it is not really the same. I am now having fun connecting with former students who are grown, some marrying, some having children. I bet you’ll know when the time is right. I love Jaden’s poem, a gift from him because of you!
Margaret, I love the metaphors your students came up with, and your enthusiasm for teaching them, drawing out these gems. Beautiful images. I love the clear shower curtain. Indeed.
Beautiful work from the students. Thank you for sharing them with us.