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.