Today’s Poetry Friday Roundup is with Carol at Beyond Literacy Link
I have to admit I wasn’t prepared for my lesson on Friday. I really don’t have a good excuse. It just happened, so I opened my desk drawer and pulled out metaphor dice. I wasn’t really sure how this writing tool would work with my young students. This year my gifted classes include third and fourth graders. Do they even know what a metaphor is?
The beauty of Taylor Mali’s Metaphor Dice is their adaptability across every grade level and writing ability. In fact, they can be the just right teaching tool or game you need on a Friday when you don’t have a poem in your pocket.
After a few rounds of metaphor dice writing, my 4th grade student Adelyn said, “Do you ever get so involved in writing that you forget to breathe?” I think that sums up a successful writing session.
Today I am sharing one of my metaphor dice poems.
My birth is a bright songbird
singing a morning lullaby.Each new day is a birth–
a chance to discover joy,
to hear the bright song
of the cardinal or chickadee.Wake up!
Margaret Simon, draft
Every day is a birth day!
Reflections on the Teche 
I still don’t have the metaphor dice, probably time to get them! I think you’re right about the good lesson & Adelyn’s comment proves it! Have a great weekend!
Oh, how much I’d love to write alongside your students. There’s no better way to learn metaphor than by rolling the dice! What a sweet and joyful draft you have written. I look forward to working with metaphor and students this year too.
Wow! A successful lesson and a successful and beautiful poem.
This is swoon worthy: Do you ever get so involved in writing that you forget to breathe?”
I think the lesson was a success!
I’m looking forward to more Adelyn wisdom throughout this year (and beyond!). I think I need to keep my metaphor dice in my tutoring trundle for just such occasions when I have a few minutes of unplanned time.
Metaphor dice! I love this. I love that every day is a birth day!
“Every day is a birth day!” — beautiful. Yay for lessons that make you forget about everything else!
Margaret, I read your poem yesterday morning but did not get a chance to respond. The second stanza of your poem is filled with inspiration. Adelyn’s question was so probing and reflective. You must have been so proud of her. Taylor Mali’s metaphor dice are so magical as is your poem that flew across your desk. Have a wonderful week of inspiring lessons.
Thanks for singing this songbird song, beautiful imagery Margaret! And kudos for the metaphor writing prompt leaving your class breathless!
Oh, my goodness, I adore Adelyn’s insightful and relatable words! 😀
Love those Metaphor Dice. So full of inspiration, just like the lines they inspired for you (and others … ❤️) Thanks for sharing, Margaret!