I am a teacher who writes alongside my students. I show them my draft, the messy one in the notebook. We are writers together. This is my teaching philosophy and has been for years. Because it works for us all! I get time to write, and my students see themselves as part of a writing community.
I’ve been working my way through Ethical ELA’s new book 90 Ways of Community. Many of the prompts are tried and true. “How to Be” was posted by Sheri Vasinda. Her directions originated with Barry Lane’s Reviser’s Toolbox. I found the exercise to be similar to the “Things to Do” poem form. The prompt started us off making a list of 6-10 facts.
This way into a poem encourages us to think about and research the ways a chosen animal lives in the world. I asked myself and my students to push beyond just a list of facts, but to see how they could figuratively be applied to humans. How can you be like the animal?
I was reminded of my poem “Things to Do if You’re a Snapping Turtle” from my book Bayou Song. The poem and the prompt can be found here.
Yesterday I was thinking about owls. Owls are common here on the bayou. A friendly neighborhood one starts hooting before the sun goes down.
How to be an Owl
Lift your beak to the world
Whhhooot in the dimming light of winter
This is your time to fly–quiet and with intention
Sharpen your sight
Swallow whole
Spit out what you don’t need
Be a goddess of reason
Make wisdom your homeby Margaret Simon, draft
This was a fun prompt to start off our last week before the holiday break. Kailyn took her poem to a hilarious place. Here’s to a funny poem!
How to be a Capybara
Gain 150 pounds
Be the largest living rodent.
Be present in social gatherings.
Become committed to eating your droppings.
Have a jolly 10 years of living.
When swimming, look very pleasant.
Stick with the diet of plants.
When you see a Guinea Pig,
Give them a hug because you are family.
When you are a Capybara,
Don’t end up in a chimichanga.
by Kailyn, 6th grade (To leave comments for Kailyn, click here.)
Reflections on the Teche 
Well, done! I love the 6th graders poem. Very cute! Oh and I like yours as well! I like this idea! It makes me wish I had a class to use it with. Thanks for sharing!
Bravo to Kailyn too! Such a fun and informative poem.
I found out that the owl symbolizes the goddess Athena. Thanks for reading.
Margaret, I like both your snapping turtle poem and your owl poem. I love hearing and seeing owls. I like how you challenged your students to think beyond the basic facts of an animal and how they could apply the facts to humans. You always have great ideas to use with your students. They are fortunate to have you as a caring and loving teacher. Your first line grabbed me, and I thought if I was an owl I would want to lift my beak to the world. I especially love these lines:
“This is your time to fly-quiet and with intention”….
“Spit out what you don’t need.” (Seems like great advise.)
“Be a goddess of reason
Make wisdom your home”
I hope my comment reached Kailyn’s post. Thank you for sharing this idea, which I think I will try. I love hearing about your inspiration for your students. 🙂
2nd attempt
Margaret, I enjoy hearing about your teaching methods and how your students inspire you. Your students are fortunate to have such a caring, creative, and supportive teacher as you. I liked reading both of your poems. I have always been fascinated with owls. Your first line hooked me, and I thought if I was an owl how I would want to lift my beak to the world. I especially loved these lines:
“This is your time to fly-quiet and with intention…
Be a goddess of reason
Make wisdom your home”
Thank you for sharing. I think I will give this a try. 🙂
[…] month we are going to be basing our poem (“How to be…”) on this post from Margaret Simon, who was inspired by Sheri Vasinda, who was inspired by Barry Lane. Often this […]
[…] month we are going to be basing our poem (“How to be…”) on this post from Margaret Simon, who was inspired by Sheri Vasinda, who was inspired by Barry Lane. Often this […]
[…] are going to be basing our poem (“How to be…”) on this post from Margaret Simon, who was inspired by Sheri Vasinda, who was inspired by Barry Lane. Often this is very true in […]