I introduced the concept of a golden shovel poem to my students as we discussed On Friendship by Kahlil Gibran.
Because friendship is such a universal topic, most young students have experience with it, so the tough puzzle of a golden shovel was eased somewhat. I’m sharing a few results today.
To write a Golden Shovel, borrow a line or phrase by someone else, and use each of their words as the final word of each line in your new poem. You must keep the original order of the words intact, and you must credit the author of the original line or phrase. Peter Kahn
Friendship
When you need help, and when
you are in trouble, he
will be the one who is
going to help you. And when you are silent,
he will know that your
mind and heart
are in trouble. He ceases not
to understand your emotions. He loves to listen
to what you have to
say. His
love for you is as big as your heart.
by Daniel, 6th grade
Friends are there for
Margaret Simon, draft
you in
sprinkles and the
storm. They are the dew
that softens hardness of
the darkness, like a little
sunshine when things
get tough. The
best friends know your heart.
The true friend finds
a way to reach you even when its
a dark time, offering morning
to your night, and
assuring you all is
refreshed.
