Mod 6

Bibliography

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2010. Amazing Faces. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN: 978-1-60060-334-1

About the Poem Collection

This collection is written by various poets to celebrate life in America.  The poems focus on the uniqueness and diversity the communities in America have. The collection features Americans who live in both small towns and cities.  The poems include a Native American storyteller, a soldier returning home, a firefighter and a bustling street in Chinatown.  The poems focus on the faces and the emotions they reveal.  Wonderful poets such as Joseph Bruchac, Nikki Grimes, Pat Mora, and Jane Yolen contributed to the poetry collection.  The poems are beautifully highlighted with watercolor paintings that add to the diversity of the poems.

This collection is great for sharing at home or in the classroom.  Students will enjoy reading poems created by people they recognize and “know”.

One Poem

                             

A Young Soldier

By Prince Redcloud

A young soldier

returns home-

keeping

miles memories

sealed

within

one

heartbreaking

boyish

grin

Activities

*Find other poems or stories about community members and have students compare them.

*Have students complete a Lee Bennett Hopkins poetry study.

Bibliography

Janeczko, Paul B ed. Dirty Laundry Pile. 2001. ILL. Melissa Sweet USA: HarperCollins. ISBN: 0-688-16251-7.

About the Poem Collection

This unique collection of 27 poems is special because the poems have all been written in the voice of an object or an animal--a seashell, a cat, and a tree. The language is simple and rich in image and metaphor.  There's a great variety in poetic forms, couplets, haiku, and concrete poems all make an appearance in this collection.  Some of the poems may be a little hard to understand but if students may find it helpful to take on the voice of the object in the play to help with comprehension.  With the playful and kid-friendly elements this book is a must have for any elementary library.   Students will enjoy reading and laughing aloud to these wonderful creations.

One Poem

Old Elm Speaks

By Kristine O’Connell George

It is as I told you, Young Sapling

It will take

autumns of patience

before you snag

your

first

moon.

Activities

*Have students read aloud the poem

*After reading the collection students can use the poems as a guide to write their own poetry.

Bibliography

Nye, Naomi Shihab. Ill. By Ashley Bryan.  Salting the Ocean. Hong Kong:  Greenwillow Books. 2000.  ISBN 0-688-161936

About the Poem Collection

There are 100 poems in this book by 100 poets.   The poems were written by students in first through twelve grades.  These poems are divided into four topics: The Self and the Inner World, Where We Live, Anybody's Family, and the Wide Imagination.  They are about a variety of topics such as: treasured possessions, family arguments, Monday Night at Kwik-Wash, and the natural world.  The young poets demonstrate meter, shape, and rhythm throughout the collection.  The poems are varied in both sophistication and subject: some are for younger readers; others are for older readers.

This collection is truly an inspiration for anyone who might be tempted to write.  Famous poets do not write this collection, but regular students who attended the workshops provided by Nye were the authors of this collection. 

A Poem

 by Amy S Arnold

The sky looks like the ocean.

            The

flowers smell like perfume.

            But

nobody’s happy.

Activities

*After reading the collection have students write their own collection of poems.

*Have the students compare the different style or theme of the poem,

Mod. 5

Bibliography

Franco, Betsy. 2009. Messing Around on the Monkey Bars. Candlewick Press: Massachusetts. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3174-1.

About the Poem Collection

Throughout this collection of nineteen poems many words, pictures, and voices erupt and invite the reader to laughter filled ride around school. This collection of school poems is designed for the elementary aged but the colorful school references will appeal to students and teachers alike. Most of the poems contain dialogues between two individuals covering common school-day themes such as new friends, cafeteria lunch, and homework excuses.  The text's various typefaces identify suggestions for different voices and easily allow more than one reader to read aloud the poem.

One Poem

                             

I Can’t Wait

Today’s the day.

I can’t wait.

At recess time,

I won’t be late.

I’ll meet you by

the mulberry tree.

And then you’ll make the trade with me.

I’ll trade my little green iguana…

for my little sister Donna!

Activities

·      Have students partner up and pick a poem to perform for the class.

·      Have students read the poems that pertain to where they are going throughout the school day.  For example, before going to the library read “In the Library” or before going to recess read “Messing Around on the Monkey Bars”.

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2010. Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children: New York. ISBN 978-0-329-85965-7.

About the Poem Collection

In this collection of 19 poems that celebrate the wonder and danger of the night and describes the many things that hide in the dark Joyce Sidman combines lyrical poetry and compelling art with science concepts.  The poems highlight facts and tidbits of information that any child would find intriguing.  A glossary at the end of the book provides the reader with a great resource of science terms.  This collection is a great way to incorporate science and reading.

One Poem

Love Poem of the Primrose Moth

Evening unfolds like a primrose,

pale and scented.

The moon, a primrose:

two faces glowing.

Which is sweeter: night flight

or the nectar of a primrose?

I have only one true love:

it is the primrose.

At dawn, I fold my sherbet-colored wings

and become

                        a primrose.

Activities

*Read the poem about the Primrose Moth when studying the life cycle of butterflies as an introduction to the topic.

*Read “Welcome to The Night” and have students make a list of nocturnal animals.

*Use the poems as introduction to an animal study.

Bibliography

Wardlaw, Lee. 2011. Won Ton A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. Henry Holt and Company: New York. ISBN 978-0-8050-8995-0.

About the Poem Collection

This collection tells a great story of a cat's journey from a shelter to a home with a boy. The collection will delight children of all ages and animals lovers.  These series of senryu poems, similar to haiku, will serve as a great example of how poems do not have to rhyme while focusing on the nature of an animal.  Yelchin's graphite and gouache pictures match the poems' sensitivity as well as their humor.  This is the perfect companion to poetry month and multicultural literature.

A Poem

The Car Ride

Letmeoutletme

outletmeoutletmeout.

Wait-let me back in!

Activities

*Do a poetry study of other poets who have received the Lee Bennett Hopkins award.

*Find other poems about animals and have students read and discuss the poems.

Module 4

Bibliography

Nelson, Marilyn. 2001. Carver A Life in Poems. Asheville, North Carolina: Front Street. ISBN: 1-886910-53-7

About the Poem Collection

George Washington Carver comes alive in collection of poetry about his life. Most of the narrative poems are not simple verses but they give a great description of various points of Carver’s life.  The poems go beyond what the average person knows about Carver they discuss how he overcame poverty, racial boundaries and always pursuing knowledge. The poems are accompanied with photographs of Carver, his family and friends and gives brief descriptions of the important events in his life. The poems are told in such a way that the reader can identify easily with Carver. This book is a must for any library's poetry collection, regardless of whether the collection is for children, young adults or adults.

One Poem

                             

Drifter

Something says find out

why rain falls, what makes corn proud

and squash so humble, the questions

call like a train whistle so at fourteen,

fifteen, eighteen, nineteen still on half-fare,

over the receding landscapes the perceiving self

stares back from the darkening window.

Activities

*Research the life of George Washington Carver

*Create a timeline of his life.

*Do a compare contrast with this poetry book and a biography book about George Washington Carver.

Bibliography

Volavkova, Hana, ed. I never saw another butterfly: Children’s Drawings and Poems from Terezin Concentration Camp 1942-1944. 1993. New York: Schocken Books. ISBN: 0-8052-4115-9.

About the Poem Collection

Different children who lived in the ghetto of Terezin wrote this collection of poetry and artwork.  The poems and paintings depict the everyday life of these young children who were forced to live in this ghetto by the Nazi army.  The insight of the poems and pictures are heartbreaking but give a perspective of the war that many may not be familiar with, the perspective from these young children and teenagers.  Many of the poems read like a journal entry while others are more in the tradition poem format.

This collection would be a valuable tool for anyone who is studying WWII.  The poems are informative, filled with vocabulary and speak about the social movements that were happening during this time.

One Poem

Illness

Sadness, stillness in the room.

In the middle, a table and a bed.

In the bed, a feverish boy.

His mother sits next to him

with a little book.

She reads him his favorite story

and immediately, the fever subsides.

Franta Bass

Activities

*After students read this poetry collection they can try and research the poets and artist to find out what happened to them after WWII.

*The teacher can show pictures of the ghetto of Terezin and ask the students to write down their feelings or thoughts about what they see or how they would feel if they had to live there.

Bibliography

Elliot, David. Ill. By Holy Meade.  In the Wild. Margeret K McElderry Books. 2008.  ISBN 978-1-4169-1832-5

About the Poem Collection

In this thematic collection of animals David Elliot writes about a variety of wild beast.  These lyrical verses are entertaining to read a loud and silently.  The short poems provide descriptions and facts about the animals.  For example in the poem The Panda Elliot writes “You’re a bamboo bandit” and “you’re cookies and cream”.  The clarity of the descriptions will allow for great visualization to the reader. 

Many of the poems allow for deeper discussions and thoughts.  For example in the poem about a jaguar the poet states “Beware of jungle-raised bouquets. Beware these hidden thorns”, imagine the great discussions that can unfold from just simply asking the students “What does that mean?”  Another example can be found in The Polar Bear there is a message about the polar bear disappearing in the snow.  This could lead to discussion on the impact of Global Warming.  The precise use of language and the ease of the rhymes make this a great collection.

A Poem

The Giraffe

Stilt-walker!

Tree-topper!

Long-necked

show-stoper!

Activities

*Use this book to introduce the study of animals.

*Assign each student or group of students a different animal and have them compile a list of poems about their animal.

*Read part or all of the poems and have the students predict what animal the poem is about.

Mod 3 Poetry

Bibliography

Raczka, Bob. 2010. Guyku A Year of Haiku for Boys. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. New York: NY. ISBN: 978-0-547-24003-9.

About the Poem Collection

This book of Haikus does a great job of entertaining all children not just boys. These mathematical treasures take readers through the seasons and various activities that are enjoyed by young boys. 

These short poems are easy to read with a high interest level of any grade school student.  Each season is highlighted with six haiku poems that are great for reading aloud or silently.   The drawings are whimsical and highlight the circumstance of the poem.

One Poem

We follow deer tracks

in the mud, pretending that

we too are wild beasts

                             

Activities

*Read any of the haikus and have the students illustrate the poem how their mind imagined it.

*As a class work on different themed haikus; for girls, for teachers, for dogs, etc…

*After reading this collection of poems give students a scavenger hunt and have them explore http://www.GuykuHaiku.com.

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. 2008. Diamond Willow. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN: 978-0-374-31776-8.

About the Poem Collection

Helen Frost does a fantastic job of capturing the interest of older students in this novel in verse. For those readers who find reading in verse difficult, they will enjoy the story and appreciate the appealing presentation on each page as Frost highlights text in a diamond shape.

The language paints vivid pictures and the "hidden" message on each page adds to the theme of the plot.  This imagery is strong and the reader can easily identify and feel the pain the family is going through.

One Poem

Did

I see Roxy

open her left eye and

close it again? Zanna says

Roxy winked at her last night.

I don’t believe her, of course –

only a little kid would believe

that a dog can wink—but I

Wonder if Roxy is getting

better.  I see her pulling

at her bandage with

her paw when

she doesn’t

know I’m

looking.

Activities

*Have students create their own shape poems.

*Have students write down the “hidden messages” and discuss the meaning that Helen Frost is trying to get across.  Use the message to work on prediction.

Bibliography

Silverstein, Shel. 2011. Every Thing On It. Harper Collins. New York: NY.  ISBN 978-0-06-199817-1

About the Poem Collection

Shel Silverstein stays true to his beloved poetry that so many children have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy for many years to come.  The poems in Every Thing On It vary in theme and length.  Silverstein rhyming is classic and his knack for turning something simple into a laugh out loud delightful poem will delight readers of all ages. 

Many poetic elements are highlighted throughout this collection.  In the Genie in the Flask, Silverstein gives a creative onomatopoeia in his line “And zoof, up popped a genie”.  Students will also love the tongue twisting rhymes like “Said the spunky monkey to the funky donkey” and “Said the funky donkey to the spunky monkey”.  The overall appeal of this poetry collection will have students begging to read more.

A Poem

I never have nightmares,

I’m happy to say.

The Zoootch on my bed

Always scares’em away.

Activities

*Do an author study and feature all of Shel Silverstein’s work.

*Have students create a poetry element book and highlight various Shel Silverstein poems that highlight that certain element.  For example while studying alliteration have students find a poem that has an example of alliteration.

Mod 2 Poetry

Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 2010. Dizzy in Your Eyes Poems About Love. New York: Random House. ISBN: 978-0-375-84375-4

About the Poem Collection

In this lovely collection of 50 poems are told from the narrative view of different teenager.  The poems are on a variety of topics with one common theme—love. 

The layout is very reader-friendly and there are definitions of the type of poem represented to the left of the poem page.  Mora writes in free verse, as well as a wide variety of classic poetic forms—including haiku, sonnet and cinquain.

According to the author's note, Mora envisioned the flow of the poems as that of a symphony with four movements-an opening focus on love's initial rush, followed by a few bumps in the road, healing after loss of love, and finally the joy of finding new love. This cohesion is indeed delivered.  Teens will be able to identify with and many of the poems and will enjoy reading this collection.

One Poem

                             

Back Then

I’d jump on my bike

some afternoons and pedal

by Cecilia’s house

pedaling faster, faster into the wind,

seeing the ordinary house,

sneaking a look as I sailed by

and feeling excited

that she was inside,

not really hoping she’d look out,

just pedaling by, privately

happy that I was near her,

knowing tomorrow at school, she’d smile

at me, and I’d feel like I’d swallowed

a slice of sun.

Activities

Ask students to list everything that comes to their mind when they think of love.  Create a class-brainstorming web.

After reading this collection go back to the brainstorming list and highlight all the topics covered in the poems by Pat Mora.

Bibliography

Cullinan, Bernice, ed. A Jar of Tiny Stars Poems by NCTE Award-Winning Poets. 1996. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyd Mills Press Inc ISBN: 1-56397-087-2

About the Poem Collection

A Jar of Tiny Stars is a sampling of poetry from poets who have won the National Council of Teacher’s of English (NCTE) Award for Poetry Children. The actual poems are selected by children as their favorites.  The authors featured are: David McCord, Aileen Fisher, Karla Kuskin, Myra Chon Livingston, Eve Merriam, John Ciardi, Lilian Moore, Arnold Adoff, Valerie Worth and Barbra Esbensen. 

Each poem starts with a quote by the author on a variety of topics.  Many of the poems are narrative style poems, strong rhymes, humorous poems, and poems about animals which of course are usual favorites of young children. 

The back of the book has a brief biography of each poet, which makes it a very valuable assest to have in the elementary school library.

One Poem

dinosaurs

by Valerie Worth

Dinosaurs

Do not count,

Because

They are all

Dead:

None of us

Saw them, dogs

Do not even

Know that

They were there-

But the

Still walk

About heavily

In everybody’s

Head.

Activities

Before reading this collection of poems have students list their favorite poems or author of poems.  Then have each student read their favorite poem to another student and discuss why it is their favorite poem.

After read this collection of poems have students go back to the list of their favorite poems and pick five of their favorite.  Then have the students make their own favorite poem collection.  The poems could be bounded to make individual books for each of the students.

Bibliography

Florian, Douglas.  Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars. New York:  Harcourt, Inc. 2007.  ISBN 978-0-15-205372

About the Poem Collection

This collection of lyrical poems by Douglas Florian is a collection of twenty poems about space.  Everything is covered form the sun to the planets, this collection is a great resource for any elementary school.

The poems are short and playful, wrapping itself around astronomical facts with ease.  Readers will learn a variety of cool interesting facts about space.  Each poem receives a sort paragraph, offering additional facts or extending the information presented earlier.

The artwork is enhanced with special effects through di-cuts that lead into the next poem.  The artwork is like a beautiful collage with vibrant blues and oranges. 

A Poem

The earth

Two-thirds water.

One-third land.

Valleys deep.

Mountains grand.

Sky of blue.

Clouds of gray.

Life here, too-

Think I’ll stay

Activities

Have students make a KWL chart and list everything they know about the solar system and everything they want to know about the solar system.  After reading the book have the students fill out at least three things they learned from reading these poems.

This poetry collection can be incorporated into an interactive notebook on the solar system.  Poems can be copied and then students can write about the poem and what they learned after reading it.