Amok in Unusual Topics for Poetry

Writing onomatopoeia poems with elementary schoolers is a blast!

The first poem we wrote at Northfield Elementary was a sound riddle using onomatopoeia words. The class had to guess where the poet was, or what activity s/he was doing. (Find the lesson description here.)

They've got some out-of-the-box thinkers -- take a look at these poems by third graders.

Poet: Joshua G.

I would never have thought of this place for a poem, but it's perfect for onomatopoeia. Can you guess where Joshua is? I hear air nozzles buzzing. I feel the padded chair. I see pairs of pliers. I smell molding goop. I feel slimy spit on my chest, hands twisting wires in my mouth. I see a person in a lab coat. I hear, “Brush your teeth

after every meal.” I hear kids crying. I smell toothpaste. I hear, “You can leave.”

Poet: Alexandra P. Alexandra's class loved hearing her read this poem.

I hear a splash of water as I play with glee,

as I hear bubbles popping,

as a rubber duck sails by,

as I unplug the drain,

as I hear water

slushing around.

I get out

as I chatter my teeth

as I get a towel to get warm.

Sometimes, it's our own poet's voice that makes a poem original. Tomorrow -- two Northfield poets write very different poems on the same topic.