Module 6: Poetry Break: Serious Poem

Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 0-8050-7127-X.






This collection of poems by Terri Fields takes on the serious issue of suicide. She provides many different poetic reactions/responses to the news of Anna Gonzales' suicide. An especially complex poem in this collection is written through the eyes of fellow student, Lauren Reynolds:

Lauren Reynolds
by Terry Fields

Since September,
I sat one seat behind Anna in algebra.
Passed papers to her every day.
Studied for tons of tests together.

Though it often seemed impossible,
Eventually,
We always found the unknown for X.

But not this time.
This equation
Bounces against my brain.
And sneers at all attempted answers.

I know I'll re-examine the variables,
And reanalyze the unknowns, maybe forever.
But
It won't matter.

Because, Anna-
I know I'll never figure out Y.

Y you didn't want to live-
And Y I never noticed.

This poem generates a feeling of heart-breaking confusion, especially with the math parallel. Anna Gonzales could have been nothing more than an equation that could not be solved.

Extension:

Encourage students to make a list of 'positives'; for example, a list of positive words/adjectives that make them feel good or a list of people who make them feel good about themselves etc. Allow students to share their lists with eachother in small groups.

Suggest to students that they keep a journal to write down their feelings (bad and good) instead of trying to hold their feelings in.

Module 5: Poetry Choice: Newer Book

Ruddell, Deborah. 2009. A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. Illus Joan Rankin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4169-4211-5.





Lively font and luminous watercolors help deliver the clever poetry of Deborah Ruddell found in A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. One can almost smell the forest described in Eau De Forest: A Woodsy Cologne.

EAU DE FOREST:
A WOODSY COLOGNE
Deborah Ruddell

It's spiderwebs
and dogwood trees,
a muddy trail,
a blue-green breeze.

A nest, a leaf,
a sycamore trunk.
A whiff of pine,
a hint of skunk.

Ruddell's imagery-laden poem provides an original interpretation of the scents waiting to be discovered within the depths of a bustling forest.

Extension

Have children create a list of the scents found in their classroom, library or home and then describe them through a poem or piece of art. Allow them to share their poems/art work with eachother.

Module 5: Poetry Review: New Book

Thomas, Joyce Carol. 2008. The Blacker the Berry. Illus Floyd Cooper. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-025376-9.








Thomas's poems spotlight the abundantly distinctive shades of black, metaphorically incorporating various berries to punctuate her point. Children ages 9-12 will find beauty and inspiration in Thomas's poetic free verse. An example of the power her poetry exudes can be found in Snowberries.

Snowberries
Joyce Carol Thomas

I look white
I am as light
as snowberries in fall

"I walk that walk
I talk that talk"

Yet
Still some say
"You're not really Black!"

The words cut deep down
Beyond the bone
Beneath my snowy skin
Deep down where no one can see
I bleed the "one drop of blood"
That makes Black me

And I want to be as black
as midnight
and moonless water
So no words can wound me

Still I'm thankful
For all the blood drops I got
In my mind
Even one drop's a lot

Further enhancing Thomas's elegant, artistic poetry are the full-page illustrations by Floyd Cooper. He captures the spirit of each poem, bringing the narrators to life. This 2009 recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award will speak volumes to those children lucky enough to read it.

Module 5: Poetry Break: Refrain

Martin Jr., Bill and Michael Sampson. 2008. The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. ISBN 978-1-4169-3971-9.








Bill Martin Jr. is best known for his timeless light-hearted and rhythmic picture books. Even since his death in 2004, he is still cherished by children and adults. One cannot help but think of Martin's ability to write/tell a story when reading his poem, Once Upon a Time, found in the Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry (p. 80).

Once Upon a Time
Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson

The Storyteller came to town
To share his gifts sublime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Doors flew open to him,
Kings begged him not depart,
And children tucked his stories In the pockets of their heart,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again,

He told of scary ghosts
And of witches who became toast,
Of knights of old And outlaws bold.
Oh

Onceupona
Onceupona
Onceuponatime,

Tell it again, Storyteller,
Tell it again.

The art of storytelling is appreciated by anyone who has the chance to experience a great story. The refrain (...Tell it again, Storyteller, Tell it again, Onceupona Onceupona Onceuponatime...) gives Martin's poem about a storyteller a song-like quality. It expertly captures the desire of a captive audience who show good stories never die.

Extension

Share poetic picture books written by Bill Martin, Jr. (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?)

Encourage children to write down, share or act out a story they have never forgotten; for those wanting more of a challenge, have them write a poem based on their favorite story or author.

Module 4: Poetry Choice: Biographical Poetry

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. 2003. Paul Revere's Ride. Illus Monica Vachula. Pennsylvania: Boyds Mill Press, Inc. ISBN 1563977990.







Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic biographical poem from 1861 is given new purpose in this children's book with the help of Monica Vachula's artistic talent. Children ages seven to ten will find themselves admiring Paul Revere and his belief in liberty. Vachula's oil paintings act as photographs, giving the impression of being present during this historic time period.

The final stanza of Longfellow's poem conveys the overall spirit of Paul Revere and his memorable ride:

Excerpt from Paul Revere's Ride
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm-
A cry of defiance and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo forevermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Also included at the end is a historical note by Jayne E. Triber, Ph.D. which clarifies some of the events during and leading up to Revere's historic ride.

The combined efforts of Vachula and Triber pay special tribute to both Paul Revere and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Module 4: Poetry Review: Curriculum Connection

Katz, Bobbi. 2007. Trailblazers: Poems of Exploration. Illus Carin Berger. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0688165338.




Bobbi Katz's collection of poems captures adventurers, explorers, dreamers and conquerors ranging from Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, Jr. to Vikings. Katz's anthology comes complete with a table of contents, author's note, brief paragraph about each explorer, a bibliography, an index of titles and an index of first lines.

Trailblazers is the ideal addition to every Social Studies classroom in order to help get children nine and older excited about explorers and true historical adventures.

In the following poem by John Coleman, he parallels the dreams of Amelia Earhart with those of his lesser-known sister, who dreamt of starting a flying school for girls of color.

My Kid Sister, Bessie
John Coleman

Turn on your radio.
You'll hear about Amelia sure enough,
how she set off to fly around the world
in a Lockheed Electra,
the latest thing with wings.
The whole country knows Amelia:
that blond girl, slim, smiling, sure of herself.
"Amelia Earhart Disappears..."
"Lady Lindy Lost..."
The newspapers are full of Amelia.
But as for me,
I am full of memories,
memories of a colored girl
every bit as brave as Amelia.
A sweet, sassy colored girl.
A smart girl,
pretty...
and talk about stubborn!
Nobody and no thing
could turn our Bessie round.
She wasn't out to set world records.
Her dream: to start a school,
a flying school for girls of color,
so they could learn to fly
the way Amelia Earhart learned,
right here in America.

This magnificent poem acknowledges the greatness of one person, while also recognizing equally great qualities in another, relatively unkown person. It's the perfect way to demonstrate that you do not have to be 'famous' to be successful. This would be an excellent way to educate and inspire children (and adults).

Also worth mentioning is the simple black & white art by Carin Berger. The art work is subtle and does not distract from the poetry; it almost acts as punctuation.

Module 4: Poetry Break: Spring

In honor of the first day of Spring, enjoy the following poem from Lee Bennett Hopkins' anthology, Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More.



Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2004. Days to Celebrate A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. Illus Stephen Alcorn. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0060007652.




Spring by Prince Redcloud cleverly sums up my exact sentiments at winter's end:

Spring
Prince Redcloud

How pleasing---
not
to
be
freezing.

Prince Redcloud's poem is short and to the point, which makes it easy to remember and, therefore, easy to recite throughout these last days of winter.

Extension

Have the children write down/decorate words that describe spring and then display them in the classroom or library. Encourage them to create a poem using the various words and put them all together into a book to commemorate Spring.