Driver, Haleigh. Original Poem (used with parent’s permission), 2007.
Fletcher, Ralph, Poetry Matters. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.
Florian, Douglas. Handsprings. U.S.A.: Greenwillow, 2006.
George, Kristine O’Connell. Swimming Upstream Middle School Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 2002.
George, Kristine O’Connell. Toasting Marshmallows Camping Poems. New York: Clarion, 2001.
Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic, 1997.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Marvelous Math: A Book of Poems. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2001.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. My America: a poetry atlas of the United States. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2000.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Wonderful Words Poems About Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
Janeczko, Paul B. That Sweet Diamond. New York: Atheneum, 1998.
Prelutsky, Jack. A Pizza the Size of the Sun. New York: Greenwillow, 1996.
Wong, Janet. Night Garden, Poems from the World of Dreams. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
THAT SWEET DIAMOND - Compilation by Paul Janeczko
THAT SWEET DIAMOND
By: Paul Janeczko
Bibliography: Janeczko, Paul B. Ill. Katchen, Carole. 1998. THAT SWEET DIAMOND. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 068980735X
This is a collection of nineteen topical poems on the sport of baseball. The complete collection is written by Paul Janeczko. He has written poems about a variety of positions on the field as well as umpires and coaches, vendors and fans. The collection takes you into the game of baseball.
BEFORE THE GAME, FOUL BALL, THINGS TO DO DURING A RAIN DELAY, SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 2, NUNS and AFTER THE GAME connect the fans to the excitement of the game as well as the enthusiasm of the die-hard fan.
Particularly touching was the poem SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 3 which identifies an old woman who is such a fan she measures her life through the years of her favorite baseball team; the year of her marriage, the year her son was born, the year her husband died.
A couple of the poems stand out as specifically important to those young boys who dream of making the major leagues. The poem NICKNAMES (what young man does not want to have that “special” nickname?) and the poem HOW TO SPIT – practice makes perfect – check the wind, develop your style, concentrate, and don’t dribble.
The art work is Carole Katchen’s first for a children’s book. The poems and illustrations make a double page spread for each poem. The illustrations are rendered in pastels with most facial expressions and details limited for the reader to imagine it could be him! The most notable contrast to this observation is the player illustrated for HOW TO SPIT.
REVIEWS:
School Library Journal: The sights, sounds, and emotions of a baseball game leap from Janeczko's poetry and Katchen's colorful pastel illustrations. Just about everything associated with the great American pastime is scrutinized, from the refreshments to pointers on how to spit, from fans to field positions and foul balls. The rhythm of the poetry parallels the rhythm of the players' movements.
Kirkus Review: An extremely appealing suite of poems that illuminate the plays and dramatis personae from before the game to after the last out.
CONNECTIONS:
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME by Jack Norworth and Jim Burke – This book has the complete lyrics of the classic baseball song. Sing with the kids the part of the song that they know (probably very little) and then read the book. Ask your music teacher to sing the song to the students and help them to learn it or find it on a CD.
Have students find stats on their favorite ballplayer.
Write a poem about the position they play on the field, or as a fan, or maybe their favorite snack.
By: Paul Janeczko
Bibliography: Janeczko, Paul B. Ill. Katchen, Carole. 1998. THAT SWEET DIAMOND. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 068980735X
This is a collection of nineteen topical poems on the sport of baseball. The complete collection is written by Paul Janeczko. He has written poems about a variety of positions on the field as well as umpires and coaches, vendors and fans. The collection takes you into the game of baseball.
BEFORE THE GAME, FOUL BALL, THINGS TO DO DURING A RAIN DELAY, SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 2, NUNS and AFTER THE GAME connect the fans to the excitement of the game as well as the enthusiasm of the die-hard fan.
Particularly touching was the poem SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 3 which identifies an old woman who is such a fan she measures her life through the years of her favorite baseball team; the year of her marriage, the year her son was born, the year her husband died.
A couple of the poems stand out as specifically important to those young boys who dream of making the major leagues. The poem NICKNAMES (what young man does not want to have that “special” nickname?) and the poem HOW TO SPIT – practice makes perfect – check the wind, develop your style, concentrate, and don’t dribble.
The art work is Carole Katchen’s first for a children’s book. The poems and illustrations make a double page spread for each poem. The illustrations are rendered in pastels with most facial expressions and details limited for the reader to imagine it could be him! The most notable contrast to this observation is the player illustrated for HOW TO SPIT.
REVIEWS:
School Library Journal: The sights, sounds, and emotions of a baseball game leap from Janeczko's poetry and Katchen's colorful pastel illustrations. Just about everything associated with the great American pastime is scrutinized, from the refreshments to pointers on how to spit, from fans to field positions and foul balls. The rhythm of the poetry parallels the rhythm of the players' movements.
Kirkus Review: An extremely appealing suite of poems that illuminate the plays and dramatis personae from before the game to after the last out.
CONNECTIONS:
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME by Jack Norworth and Jim Burke – This book has the complete lyrics of the classic baseball song. Sing with the kids the part of the song that they know (probably very little) and then read the book. Ask your music teacher to sing the song to the students and help them to learn it or find it on a CD.
Have students find stats on their favorite ballplayer.
Write a poem about the position they play on the field, or as a fan, or maybe their favorite snack.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Serious Poem difficult/sensitive subject for child or teen
Introduction: This is an unpublished poem written by my niece. She is a sixth grader and enjoys poetry. Her father is career military, so the war is a very personal subject for her. Her comment follows:
"Another about war. Heh. This one is one of my longest, I'm quite proud of it. Tell me what you think. :)"
THE SHADOWED WAVE OF WAR
By: Haleigh Driver
(age 12)
It hit us like a wave;
One that swept across the nation,
and made people's faces grave.
Of course there were protestors, fighting their own battle in desperation.
There were others who did agree, and some who just didn't mind.
They said it was right. We should have expected it.
And the protestors roared, shrieking that war was unkind!
But yet either way, whether you agree or not, we've been forced into a deep pit.
The war goes on and on,
soldiers deploying one after the other in great waves.
Their cries echo through the land,
Of two breeds, one murderous and lethal, the other distressed and pained.
There is a price to pay for this life we lead,
those who cannot pay it are kicked to the curb.
And then what? They are replaced by another unfortunate soul.
Doomed we all are!
For war is ageless, and will go on forever!
Always ageless war! No matter how hard we fight!
For fighting is not the answer.
No, not until we can see the light, and then take the step to meet it.
Until we can set aside all differences, and become united,
join hands as one in this wide world,
There will be war, creeping after us like shadows.
Not until we can understand,
will this war end.
copyright 2007
Used with Haleigh & her parents' permission
Extensions:
Write letters (with parent permission to servicemen and women)
If a student has military personnel serving overseas gather a care package to send.
Older students: Essay or debate pro/con war
Write original poem about a difficult or serious subject. I actually had my class try this and many of them wrote about the loss of a loved one.
"Another about war. Heh. This one is one of my longest, I'm quite proud of it. Tell me what you think. :)"
THE SHADOWED WAVE OF WAR
By: Haleigh Driver
(age 12)
It hit us like a wave;
One that swept across the nation,
and made people's faces grave.
Of course there were protestors, fighting their own battle in desperation.
There were others who did agree, and some who just didn't mind.
They said it was right. We should have expected it.
And the protestors roared, shrieking that war was unkind!
But yet either way, whether you agree or not, we've been forced into a deep pit.
The war goes on and on,
soldiers deploying one after the other in great waves.
Their cries echo through the land,
Of two breeds, one murderous and lethal, the other distressed and pained.
There is a price to pay for this life we lead,
those who cannot pay it are kicked to the curb.
And then what? They are replaced by another unfortunate soul.
Doomed we all are!
For war is ageless, and will go on forever!
Always ageless war! No matter how hard we fight!
For fighting is not the answer.
No, not until we can see the light, and then take the step to meet it.
Until we can set aside all differences, and become united,
join hands as one in this wide world,
There will be war, creeping after us like shadows.
Not until we can understand,
will this war end.
copyright 2007
Used with Haleigh & her parents' permission
Extensions:
Write letters (with parent permission to servicemen and women)
If a student has military personnel serving overseas gather a care package to send.
Older students: Essay or debate pro/con war
Write original poem about a difficult or serious subject. I actually had my class try this and many of them wrote about the loss of a loved one.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Poem Book for Children/Teens Published after 2000 - SWIMMING UPSTREAM MIDDLE SCHOOL POEMS
Bibliography: George, Kristine O’Connell. Ill. Tilley, Debbie. 2002. SWIMMING UPSTREAM MIDDLE SCHOOL POEMS. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618152504
SUMMARY
This is compilation of poems by Kristine George that deal with the changes that take place as a student enters middle school. The book takes you from the first day of school with “Wake-up Call” to the last day with the “Last Day of School”. The poems cover a variety of experiences that students just entering middle school deal with. These include such things as: 1) moving from class to class as in “Changing Classes” and “Each Class” with each teacher having a different expectation 2) new friends and fitting in with poems such as “Networking”, “S N O B” and “Group” 3) learning to play an instrument in “Band” “New Flute” and “Flute Practice” and 4) discovering the opposite sex in a silly romantic way with the poems “School Dance” and “Does He or Doesn’t He?”.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I had to look back over my list of previous work for this semester as I was certain I must have used this book already. It is one of my favorite poetry books that I have read this semester. I think that is true because I teach fifth graders and have for a number of years. Each of these poems is so poignant and stirs my heart strings for all of the emotional feelings that I know the kids will be dealing with next year. It also brings memories of my own children’s middle school years. The poems are in a variety of forms from haiku to free verse. The title of the book itself SWIMMING UPSTREAM identifies with the often overwhelming changes taking place within the middle school student emotionally, physically and socially. It is a struggle for many just as swimming upstream is a struggle for those fish that must make their way upstream to complete their journey through life. It is not only a struggle for the students, but for the parents and teachers that deal with all of these changes. This book is just as meaningful to those working with the students as it is to the students themselves. There are four double page black and white illustrations by Debbie Tilley that complement the text with band practice, gossiping and class activities. Each page also has a somewhat abstract pencil drawing of lines and circles. I imagine these would represent the streams and the students swimming up that stream. There is no table of contents for this book. I think it would be helpful to have a table to refer more quickly to a poem that you might want to share. I would recommend this book of poetry to any one that is associated with middle school age children as well as the sharing of the book with the students as well.
REVIEWS
Booklist: These tiny poems--rhymed, free verse, haiku, even an acrostic--cover the first year of junior high--sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. The unnamed female narrator sees the first "jigsaw year" as refitting and recombining old friends and new, old ideas and new.
School Library Journal: Middle school, with all its trials, tribulations, and triumphs, is portrayed humorously and poignantly through the eyes of one girl. Some of the more mundane topics include a locker that won't open, being late to homeroom, carrying around a large piece of wood as a hall pass, and deciding where to sit in the lunchroom. The book also delves into significant issues, from making new friends and a first crush to teasing, gossip, and a bully who may not be so tough after all. The selections are short, mostly filling less than a page, and get to the heart of the matter quickly. The emotions range from confusion, loneliness, and fear to being nervous and tongue-tied.
CONNECTIONS
Band Director: Read each of the poems that deal with playing the flute. Use these as an introduction into the emotions a student trying a new instrument feels. You might want to read these as you progress through the year rather than all at once, or do both. (Another personal heart string for me – as my daughter played the flute in school). Poems include: “Band”, “New Flute”, “Flute Practice”, “More Flute Practice”, “Band Practice”, “Much More Flute Practice”, and “Band Concert”.
Home Room Teacher: Use poems to review middle school rules regarding lockers, hall passes, lunch and other relevant first day overviews. “Locker”, “My Locker”, “Late”, “Homeroom”, “Changing Classes”, “Which Lunch Table?”, “School I.D. Card”, “Each Class”, “Hall Pass”, and “Due Date”,
As the teacher of the students leaving elementary and heading toward middle school have the students brainstorm their feelings and emotions about the changes about to take place. Then have them write a poem about these feelings. It would be wonderful to work with the teacher in the next grade and have them to assign a similar assignment at the end of the next year and then the students can see how their attitudes, emotions and feelings have changed. They will see they made the transfer!
SUMMARY
This is compilation of poems by Kristine George that deal with the changes that take place as a student enters middle school. The book takes you from the first day of school with “Wake-up Call” to the last day with the “Last Day of School”. The poems cover a variety of experiences that students just entering middle school deal with. These include such things as: 1) moving from class to class as in “Changing Classes” and “Each Class” with each teacher having a different expectation 2) new friends and fitting in with poems such as “Networking”, “S N O B” and “Group” 3) learning to play an instrument in “Band” “New Flute” and “Flute Practice” and 4) discovering the opposite sex in a silly romantic way with the poems “School Dance” and “Does He or Doesn’t He?”.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I had to look back over my list of previous work for this semester as I was certain I must have used this book already. It is one of my favorite poetry books that I have read this semester. I think that is true because I teach fifth graders and have for a number of years. Each of these poems is so poignant and stirs my heart strings for all of the emotional feelings that I know the kids will be dealing with next year. It also brings memories of my own children’s middle school years. The poems are in a variety of forms from haiku to free verse. The title of the book itself SWIMMING UPSTREAM identifies with the often overwhelming changes taking place within the middle school student emotionally, physically and socially. It is a struggle for many just as swimming upstream is a struggle for those fish that must make their way upstream to complete their journey through life. It is not only a struggle for the students, but for the parents and teachers that deal with all of these changes. This book is just as meaningful to those working with the students as it is to the students themselves. There are four double page black and white illustrations by Debbie Tilley that complement the text with band practice, gossiping and class activities. Each page also has a somewhat abstract pencil drawing of lines and circles. I imagine these would represent the streams and the students swimming up that stream. There is no table of contents for this book. I think it would be helpful to have a table to refer more quickly to a poem that you might want to share. I would recommend this book of poetry to any one that is associated with middle school age children as well as the sharing of the book with the students as well.
REVIEWS
Booklist: These tiny poems--rhymed, free verse, haiku, even an acrostic--cover the first year of junior high--sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. The unnamed female narrator sees the first "jigsaw year" as refitting and recombining old friends and new, old ideas and new.
School Library Journal: Middle school, with all its trials, tribulations, and triumphs, is portrayed humorously and poignantly through the eyes of one girl. Some of the more mundane topics include a locker that won't open, being late to homeroom, carrying around a large piece of wood as a hall pass, and deciding where to sit in the lunchroom. The book also delves into significant issues, from making new friends and a first crush to teasing, gossip, and a bully who may not be so tough after all. The selections are short, mostly filling less than a page, and get to the heart of the matter quickly. The emotions range from confusion, loneliness, and fear to being nervous and tongue-tied.
CONNECTIONS
Band Director: Read each of the poems that deal with playing the flute. Use these as an introduction into the emotions a student trying a new instrument feels. You might want to read these as you progress through the year rather than all at once, or do both. (Another personal heart string for me – as my daughter played the flute in school). Poems include: “Band”, “New Flute”, “Flute Practice”, “More Flute Practice”, “Band Practice”, “Much More Flute Practice”, and “Band Concert”.
Home Room Teacher: Use poems to review middle school rules regarding lockers, hall passes, lunch and other relevant first day overviews. “Locker”, “My Locker”, “Late”, “Homeroom”, “Changing Classes”, “Which Lunch Table?”, “School I.D. Card”, “Each Class”, “Hall Pass”, and “Due Date”,
As the teacher of the students leaving elementary and heading toward middle school have the students brainstorm their feelings and emotions about the changes about to take place. Then have them write a poem about these feelings. It would be wonderful to work with the teacher in the next grade and have them to assign a similar assignment at the end of the next year and then the students can see how their attitudes, emotions and feelings have changed. They will see they made the transfer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)