Today was the first Poetry Friday of the new school year. Prompted by Kim Johnson who is writing daily to Dictionary for a Better World, I decided to begin at the beginning with the word Acceptance. Irene Latham wrote the model poem we read today. I have to admit starting with such a metaphor-driven poem was challenging. “I am a word with teeth– a crocodile” At first my students thought the poem was all about a crocodile. We had to work hard to make the connection between the title and the illustration.
When it came time to write, I suggested using Irene’s form for an opening line. I am a word with ______. Adelyn chose the word Art. I adore what she wrote for her first poem of 4th grade gifted class.
ART
I am a word with imagination
A rainbow over my head
Some understand me, some don’t
Yet I don’t wait for supplies I improvise
I rest in a messy room
Full of markers, crayons and sketch books
As I dream of a
peacock flying overhead
by Adelyn, 4th grade
I am happy to be writing poems with kids again!
Here is my poem after Irene on the word Gracious:
Gracious
I am a word with wings–
a butterfly
landing on a red blossom.Some want to catch me.
Others let me be.Yet I do not waste time (as you do)
in the muddy banks
between despairand hope.
I rest in freedom–
air, wind–
lightly liftingas nectar fills my soul
Margaret Simon, draft, after Irene Latham
with sweet gratitude.
Consider joining me with my friends over at Ethical ELA for this weekend’s Open Write starting tomorrow through Wednesday.
Reflections on the Teche 