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.

Poetry Friday -- Young Poets

Answer: Over 650 Question: How many poems were submitted to Word Up! – Howard County Library’s youth poetry competition? Wow! Poetry is alive and well in our central Maryland schools and homes. Last week, I spoke at the Word Up! celebration. About a dozen of the winning poets (grade six through age 21), read their poetry. (I did the math -- over 80 entries per grade level.)

The readers were great, performing their poems about nature, relationships, politics, pizza and coping with a bright red stain on a white blouse.

One of the winning poets is Isaiah Du Pree, a 9th grader at one of our public high schools. (In the photo above, he's the one in the suit seated in the front row. That's me at the podium.)

I met Isaiah when I visited his middle school G/T Writers Guild last year. He’s got great stage presence and his poem, “Declaration,” lends itself to performance. Declaration Maybe if we didn’t send such degradation Our world would not suffer all this humiliation We wouldn’t have blacks in trials and tribulations America would try to handle current situations This is our world it’s not an animation It won’t disappear with some prestidigitation Because in this world there is no sanctification What we need is more renunciation Surrender ourselves would be some configuration American is dying we need emancipation Lift ourselves up and gather determination There would be no more. No more limitations No more examinations and weak investigations No more lies. No more false education You were meant to be you are a creation Anyone who told you different used manipulation If we keep this up there will be extermination We must find a way to prevent annihilation This is what I speak this is my citation This is my demand this is my declaration

For more Poetry Friday posts, visit ... http://mayaganesan.blogspot.com/

Yahoo for onomatopoeia!

Onomatopoeia -- what a delicious word.

I love hearing a classroom full of elementary schoolers say it. They relish the sound, "Onomatopoeia!"

Today, I started my annual poetry residency at Northfield Elementary School near my home in Howard County, MD. The residency is courtesy of Northfield's PTA and a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

You can read a previous post with detail on my onomatopoeia lesson. If you try it with your students, let me know how it goes.

The third grade teachers are almost as enthusiastic about poetry as I am. We have a great time together. Here is the group onomatopoeia poem, written by Ms. Hilliard's class today:

Cafeteria

I hear screaming.

Ms. Poe says, "Five inch voices."

My friend is crunching on Doritos.

Someone clattering their coins for snack.

People are whispering,

talking, laughing.

"First call for clean up."

"Final call!"

I hear footsteps tapping.

Time for recess!

Don't you just love "clattering their coins?"

More onomatopoeia poems to come...