This week was my second week of teaching this school year. We are settling into the routine. My classroom door revolves all day long with incoming and outgoing students. Nevertheless, I am establishing some routines. One of the expectations each week is “This Photo Wants to be a Poem.” On Wednesdays I post a photo here on my blog, but I also post it on our Fanschool site.
My friend Dani Burtsfield is a teacher in Kallispell, Montana. Last week she hosted poet Allan Wolf for her annual reading conference. She took Allan on a hike that she had taken me on a few years ago, so she sent pictures of them. I was wishing I could teleport and be with them, especially since our temperatures are well into the 90’s these days. If you know Allan and his poetry presentations, you know how he creates fun wherever he goes. Dani sent me some pictures.
On my students’ blog, I post my own poem as a model, and each student writes their own poem in response. One of my new students is a second grader. I taught her how to write a haiku. First we collected words. Then she spoke lines using the words. We counted syllables. I think she was pleased with her poem.
Crystal clear water
you can see mountains through it
beautiful blue lakeby Danielle, 2nd grade
Avalyn, now in 5th grade, wrote similes and used repetition. It amazes me how seemingly simple poetic elements can work together to become a beautiful poem.
Like an oversized crystal
it falls
Like the morning mist
it falls
Like a Maiden priestess
it falls
Like an opal river
it falls
by Avalyn , 5th grade
The final example I want to share made me laugh. Kailyn wrote from the perspective of the waterfall itself.
I love spitting on people,
it’s just the way I flow.
Paparazzi all around me,
trees for hair.
My life has been a sequel,
the water in me loves to go, go, go!
I can just relax and be lazy.
If you visit me, you might want to watch what you wear..
by Kailyn, 6th grade
Reflections on the Teche 
Second week of school and they’re already knocking it out of the ballpark, either because they’ve already learned to live the poet’s life with you, or because you know exactly how to meet a new poet right where she’s at and help her make magic with words! Way to go Danielle, Avalyn, and Kailyn!
Your students all have captured the magic of water in such different and artistic ways!
Margaret, I am always astounded by your students’ writing abilities. The three students offered different experiences on water and all are wonderful. The opening of Kailyn’s poem made me smile. Please compliment the children. I look forward to more poetic works by them this year.
The photo of Allan is humorous. How lucky Dani is spending time with Allan.
Love all of this, Margaret. Love how your students see the world! Lucky them.
Love the waterfall poem – perfect! Fun to be back with your student writers! Enjoy their step into the life of a poet!
I always look forward to your students’ work, Margaret – each poem here is inspiring and a reminder of the point of view of children who feel free to share themselves. How amazing and wonderful that you enable them to do this!
Your students are wonderful poets, Margaret, and I appreciate your sharing their poems with us. This is wonderful evidence how poetry can bring people of all ages together, and we can learn about poetry together.
You have coaxed magic from inside these children, Margaret! I need to connect my 4th grade-teaching niece to you to learn how to do this in her class!
Oh, Margaret, those sweet poems of your students. Kailyn’s made me laugh too. And Avalyn’s wow! You are right, such a simple form she created, and it works beautifully. Your new student, Danielle. What a joy I sense through her words. You are a blessed teacher! I missed Wednesday, so it was fun to revisit the waterfall here today.
Your new 2nd grader is on her way, Margaret. What joy I imagine you have already brought to her! And Kailyn’s waterfall perspective is wonderfully fun and funny!
I find it so rewarding to talk to students about writing. Danielle simply said a sentence out loud and we counted the syllables. Her mind is already set to make beautiful language.
Love seeing your students’ work, Margaret. I feel like I have watched Avalyn grow each year. They are all well on their way to a fabulous year of writing.
Oh, my goodness…what refreshing and lovely poems from these students! A+ to all. I love the repetition and mask poems. And, 2nd grade haiku? Yes, please!
Danielle is a breath of fresh air. She is so full of wonder and excitement about everything. She is Adelyn’s sister. I have two sets of siblings this year.
Wow! Each of these poems is simply wonderful, Margaret. I think Mary Lee put it so well in her comment. You truly are doing amazing work with these students. I love seeing the variety of poems born from the same prompt–Each remarkable and unique to its creator. Looks like you’re on track to have an amazing year, and so are your students!
Thanks. I think the weekly practice keeps their poetry muscles supple. And they are not afraid of it.
Reading your post makes me miss the classroom and sharing poetry with students. Your students are fortunate to have you coaching and coaxing these beautiful poems out of them.
I’m a bit jealous that Dani got to host Allan. I love his book Immersed in Verse and couldn’t part with it when I moved and got rid of so many books. The Blood-Hungry Spleen and Other Poems About Our Parts was a favorite of my students.
Have a delightful year!
I was truly envious of Dani’s time with Allan, but she told me he is coming my direction sometime soon. I still have both of the books you mentioned and also his garden poem book and the universe exploded. As I get nearer to retirement, I am trying to soak up all the poetry love of my students.
That waterfall poem is so great!
Margaret, I love all the student poems, but especially that waterfall poem. Oh, I do miss students, dearly. Thanks for sharing their wonderful work!