Last Friday was World Smile Day. There are so many fun holidays on a calendar. Do you know any? I don’t usually keep up with them, but Kelly reminded me on Kelly Bennett’s Fishbowl newsletter. Today I am wearing my smiley face sweater. It just makes me happy.
Poetry makes me happy, too. Here’s Kailyn’s smile poem using Kelly’s form based on the number of teeth adults have. (8-4-8-8-4)
In July we found three young kittens in my mother-in-law’s yard. With my friend Corrine’s help, we trapped them and she willingly fostered them. Last week I gave the yellow cat “Carson” to a brother and sister that I teach. This week when we wrote poems of apology after William Carlos Williams, Marifaye wrote this poem. (I texted it to Corrine.)
The National Writing Project’s #WriteOut begins on October 13th. Next Tuesday we will be on Fall Break, so I am leading a group of kids on a Write Out writing marathon in our downtown. NWP has many resources and prompts on their site. Join in the fun!
Reflections on the Teche 
Hello Margaret, who is a sitting Smiley in that super sweater. Marifaye’s WCW-idea poem is purr-fect & I smile to know of a cat-rescuer-for-life, in the making. Brava to you & her. Fall School Break is a new one on me. But creative dynamo You will inspire students in that park. There’s lots to tickle into place, an upside-down frown, here in this post. Appreciations.
This post has me smiling top to bottom! Kailyn’s smile form is sparkling! And plese tell Marifaye her poem IS a cat party! Have you ever tried smiling while you WRITE? It really makes a difference! xo
What a delightful post, Margaret! Poetry does bring smiles and brings all ages together. Wonderful work by your students.
I love your smiles, Margaret, the sweater, the kittens finding new homes, “teeth in sight” & “cat parties”, all a happiness post! Wishing you a ‘smiley’ weekend!
Thanks for the happy post. Love your smiley sweater and the student poems. Hooray for Carson!
Margaret, this post made me smile from start to finish. I love your sweater, that you collected and fostered cats, that you found them homes, and that you shared your students’ poetry. This is Just to Say is wonderful and the response haiku is adorable!
oh my goodness— you are so cute in your smiley sweater. What a fun poem from Marifaye. Smiles have a lot of power that can be used for good! I’m delighted to learn that there’s a day in honor of smiles.
I’m feeling smiley now, Margaret. 😀
What a smiley good day it is when you wear a special sweater, children engage in writing poems, and kittens find a home! Have fun with the Write Out program/marathon.
Oh gosh how sweet is Marifaye’s poem! Love that she wickedly stole your kittycat! That made me smile –along with your adorable sweater. I’ll be participating in NWP, too. Here’s to writing outdoors!
A great poem conversation! Yay for Carson, and yay for World Smile Day and your smiley sweater 🙂 🙂
Your sweater is adorable! I loved Marifaye’s poem. Happy Smiel Day.
Love these smile and kitten-inspired poems.