Poets' Tea Friday

I've been out of the loop for a few weeks. It seriously has been a frenzy of teaching, editing and parenting. Plus, it's Shovan birthday season (4 birthdays, 5 weeks, 109 candles -- not counting ones to grow on).

I haven't seen my friends at Lisbon Elementary School in almost a month. The fifth graders have had time to polish their poems, practice their public speaking skills, and get ready for the big day ... today's Poets' Tea.

Parents and administrators will stop by to hear the poets read their work. We'll have some treats to celebrate the end of the residency and all of their hard work.

Here is a sampling of poems I hope to hear this afternoon. This group is from a simile lesson, "Animals are like Feelings." You can find the lesson posted here (please excuse the squished formatting -- Blogger ate my spacing).

When I Feel Mad

by Josh G.

When I feel mad,

I am like a red and

angry bull, throwing people

off that want to ride me, looking

mad and fierce. I run

in a ring chasing a

person.

I know we can all relate to that feeling. Other people's problems and emotions weigh us down. It's safe to write about wanting to explode and rant in a poem. This writing prompt can help kids put a little distance between themselves and out of control feelings.

Hyperness

by Gloria M.

When I feel hyper,

I am like a white mouse.

My tail is wriggling around

With a mind of its own.

I look around eager to bat

Something side to side, then smash it.

I jump from table to dresser,

To desk.

Flailing around like there

Is a cat behind me.

My tail whacks a vase off

A table.

It makes a bang when it

Hits the floor.

The two-leggeds yell at me.

I don’t care, I flail, and

Whack and run and smash

And feel happy.

The response from her peers was great when Gloria read this poem. They loved the image of a mouse bouncing from one piece of furniture to the other. I like how Gloria's mouse is aware that it's acting hyper, but chooses not to stop itself.

Our next animal is also hyper, but for a reason. Logan's little squirrel is so busy preparing for winter, he can't focus on simple things. I know I've felt that way before.

Busy

by Logan G.

When I feel busy, I am like

A squirrel. I rush place to

Place trying to find food

Before my hibernation. I can’t

Think and I forget things

Like where I’m going. I just

Want to get home and rest

For hibernation.

I like the specific animal that Caitlyn chose for her poem. Manatees move more slowly than whales and dolphins -- a good choice for "relaxed."

When I Feel Relaxed

by Caitlyn K.

When I feel relaxed

I feel like a blue manatee.

I gracefully swim around

The calming ocean.

I slowly eat away at my

Sea grass.

I follow my mom around

As she swims through

The blue, calm water

That flow around me.

Thanks again for the staff, administrators, and families of Lisbon Elementary for supporting the arts through our residency. Also, for giving me permission to share the students' amazing poems.

This week's Poetry Friday host is Carol at Rasco from RIF. She has a fascinating post about poet Phyllis Wheatley -- the first African American to have a book published. Stop by and take a read.