For the Christmas season, I have decorated my classroom doors (I service 2 schools) with a Christmas tree, but they’re not typical Christmas trees. They’re Grati-ku Poet-trees. Each day since Thanksgiving break, my students and I write a gratitude poem on a paper ornament.
We are reading daily Santa Clauses (a book of haiku written by the man himself) by Bob Raczka. These poems are inspirational to us and help us see the different ways to create a haiku poem. A complete sentence, a metaphor, a moment in time.
Japanese poems
by Avalyn, 3rd grade
Santa Claus inspiration
I write haiku, too.
Avalyn wanted to invite some teachers to write poems, too, so she asked the speech therapist whose classroom is adjacent to ours to play along. (She calls it a “haiku party”.) Kim wrote:
A burnt string of lights
By Kim Degeyter
one bulb out, they all go out.
To the store I go!
School spirit is everywhere this season as students and teachers participate in dress-up days. I wrote a grati-ku about this:
Reindeer headbands on
Margaret Simon
little girls’ heads bouncing down
Holiday hallway
You should join the fun. Write a grati-ku holiday inspired poem in the comments. I’d love to share them with my students.
Reflections on the Teche 
This is the dearest, sweetest, most fun activity! I especially love how the students see or find themselves in haiku. I live in the northern plains, and we had a big snowfall last night, so here’s my haiku:
Big, fluffy snowflakes
whirl and cover everything
Will Santa find us?
We do not get snow. In fact we are having days above 80 degrees, so I am drawn to images of snow. Thanks for playing along.
What a wonderful idea, Margaret. Here’s mine:
Season of Love
grateful for warm gloves
and smiles from strangers on this
chilly shopping day.
Nice, Rose!
Thanks for being a warm glove every day.
SAME DAY THIS YEAR!
Eight bright candles glow
along with Christmas tree lights:
together we shine!
Love the unity idea here, Carol
I, too, love how you expressed unity.
What a joyful thing, Margaret! I love the examples you shared, and the spirit behind this project!
Beauty of two worlds–
snow-tipped evergreens outside,
cozy fireplace in
Oh, how nice to have both, Laura!
Ah, those snow-tipped evergreens, a beautiful image.
long post office line
love hides inside brown boxes
like songs in your heart
Beautiful, Tabatha!
The line up of the l’s on the right resemble the line. I love how you made a tedious task into something beautiful in just a few words.
These haiku are delightful. The last one reminded me of watching a 6th grader run down the hall with a tinsel-wire Christmas tree bobbling on their head. I could only think, RUN Santa, RUN! Although I probably should have reminded Santa to walk.
What a lovely way to encourage your school communities to create poetry together!
so much glitter
so much shine
brightening dark days
I love the spirit of your classroom, Margaret, all the words make bright days! Merry Christmas!
Joy in seeking words
for the most wonderful
time of the year
Margaret, I pulled out my Santa Clauses book yesterday. I just love the December 1st poem. I thought I would write my PF post about this but went a different route. I have the book ready for the grands’ read aloud. Having a grati-ku tree is a great idea for your talented group. Their work is always something to admire.
What fun! Happy holidays to all. I love the work that you share here.
A haiku party
Invites us all to write poems
Opens the door so wide
What a fun idea! Love the idea of Grati-ku!
Margaret this whole poetree is layered with joy – from the gratitude to the writing to the sharing to the learning! I will definitely pass this along to my teacher-sisters!
Love it! Keep the gratitude flowing! And the poetry!!
It seems just like yesterday that you shared your school Poet-tree… Thanks for sharing all these lovely poems Margaret!
friend-poems share
treasure-word wonders!
share them far and wide
It was such a great success last year that I brought it out again. Thanks for writing a response poem for my students. Love “treasure-word”.
Grati-ku! Wonderful, Margaret! Love this. ❤️
Kim’s poem made me smile! What a fun project to help celebrate the season.