What a wonderful first week of NWP’s Write Out! On Tuesday, our schools were on fall break, but two other teachers and I decided to create a Write Out Field Trip. Twenty-seven kids attended from K-8th grade. Our local Bayou Teche Museum graciously opened its doors for us. We wrote at 4 different places, the museum, a sculpture garden, Bayou Teche kayak dock, and Church Alley.
Because he was on fall break, too, my grandson Leo joined us. He is at the earliest stages of reading and writing. He loves to draw, but by our third stop, he wanted to be a writer.
I breathe fire.
I am a poisonous dragon.
by Leo, Kindergarten
A proud Mamére moment!
My colleague Beth’s granddaughter, 4th grade, wanted to read all her poems at the read around. Here’s her notebook with a poem about a museum exhibit of a shipwreck.
The Sea at Night
After the storm, the ship debris
sunk and broke shells, rocks, and bones.
They littered the ocean
one piece at a time, broken glass
ship parts and harbor bells.
Yet at night there’s still life–
the movement of the water, giant but
yet still. All the light is gone
but the sea lights it up.
Nothing as beautiful as
the sea at night.
by Annie, 4th grade
You can participate in Write Out by joining here.
Much appreciation for the Bayou Teche Museum and ADK Sorority Classroom Grant.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, this is fabulous! I’ve never heard of a field trip during a break. You truly love what you do, and it shows!
[…] Reflections on the Teche, Margaret Simon features a couple of student poems inspired during her class’ National […]
This would’ve been my kinda field trip as a student! Thanks for sharing, Margaret!
Oh Grandmere! Leo IS a brave dragon. “By our third stop he wanted to be a writer” “is pretty much the best sentence ever! And Annie has made the shipwreck marvelous…I totally want to do a Write Out in my county! xo
What a fun field trip! Enjoyed Leo’s and Annie’s poems and all the pics. Can I be in your class? 🙂
Margaret, you are a wonderful Grandmere so I am sure Leo turning into a reader and writer come from your mentoring and Leo’s parents. The writing samples from both Leo and Annie are special. Have a great weekend.
Of course Leo decided to be a writer–what wonderful role models from the other writing kids and from you. (And I am so impressed that you organized this during fall break–how terrific that you and your fellow teachers share that enthusiasm with your students.)
Leo is on his way as a poet, Mamere! Bravo! I’m participating in WRITE OUT!, too. Someday I would love to actually BE WITH students like Annie.
The best part was that most of the kids who came Wanted to be there.
What a wonderful adventure you organized for everyone! Thanks for sharing.
So many students joined you, a compliment to you, Margaret! And with Leo along, it was all ages showing they wanted to write! It sounds like a trip that was special for inspiration. Good for you for taking the time to put it together!
Wow! Your writing field trip sounds wonderful–and it pairs so well with Amy LV’s firewood poem that I just came from. I’m so glad you got to spend time with Leo and other kids his age. We need those budding writers to bloom and they are with mamere!
Annie’s poem! WOW! And Leo’s poem! WOW-WOW! You do such good work in the world. Don’t you ever doubt or forget that!
Thanks, Mary Lee. I needed to hear that.
I am soooo late to comment but didn’t want to miss my chance–this EXTRA thing you did with your colleagues, this special opportunity for kids with their grandmothers, for kids outside, at a local museum, writing together, reading around–Teaching Writer genius! And you know I’m partial to that beginner’s genius…go Leo! “G-ragon” 🙂 /dr/ is tricky!
Yay, Leo! I love both Leo and Annie’s poems. What a grand and fun field trip everyone had. You are a wonderful teacher.