Thank you poet, author Laura Purdie-Salas for hosting this week's round-up at her blog, Writing the World for Kids. She's celebrating the publication of her newest book, Meet My Family which I reviewed with a meet my family story of my own a couple weeks ago.
My Library Partner and I and our assistant, have been having fun with the eighth graders at our school. Found poetry is our game and its word play with no complicated rules to follow. It's been so fun that we've set out a box of old book pages with markers, crayons and colored pencils for our student poets that return to write more. It's a poetry maker-station!
It's fun sincerely complementing students on their imagination and creativity. They love making something meaningful that isn't producing a grade or score. The photo below includes three young people that are a little nearer and dearer to my heart because of our shared experience.
Freddie
Found
a
Poem
He was late—as usual
No-pencil-Freddie, carried on
all through the lesson.
His elbow partner
giggled at all his jokes
burps and farts.
The teacher
passed out pages
ripped out of old books and--
invited students
to circle a favorite word
on their page….any word
that could be an anchor
passed out pages
ripped out of old books and--
invited students
to circle a favorite word
on their page….any word
that could be an anchor
for the boat of an idea.
Borrowed pencil in hand
Freddie bent over his page
and circled...thoughtful,quiet, still
an artist at work.
By the time the teacher
guided the class through
circling more words--
other boats to tie-up
to their anchors,
Freddie had found
a flotilla.
an artist at work.
By the time the teacher
guided the class through
circling more words--
other boats to tie-up
to their anchors,
Freddie had found
a flotilla.
(c) Linda Mitchell
 |
| Student X March '18 |
The student poems are terrific, Linda, and your ending is such a fun surprise. How great that you introduced this found poetry exercise. I love doing it, too.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit your library. I can hear the soft buzz of their work on found poems.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem! Thanks for sharing this found poetry exercise.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your poem is awesome! And I love the student poems/artwork you shared. Pinning this to my board of Poetry Writing Exercises. I've seen/done this before, but love your examples and post, too:>)
ReplyDeleteYay for Freddie! And for the universe sticking out its tongue. Wonderful! xo
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you to see Freddie (and other students) in this different light, and also to witness the act of discovering being its own reward! You rock, Linda. :)
ReplyDeleteI really want to do more poetry workshops with my students, and I've been thinking of doing found poetry sometime - you've really convinced me to just do it! It looks so fun and inspiring!!
ReplyDelete"Freddie Found a Poem" is excellent! I love finding poems. It is a great way for students to experience rich vocabulary and turns of phrases and dive into multiple meanings.
ReplyDeleteA poetry-maker station is a fantastic idea, and I love the idea of seeking "any word/that could be an anchor/for the boat of an idea."
ReplyDeleteI love the poetry station. Kids should be encouraged to create.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I have to share this with our librarian, who is currently in the process of culling the collection. I love your poem, Linda, and that Freddie "found a flotilla" of words!
ReplyDeleteYea for letting teens express themselves without worrying about a grade! I kinda like that Freddie who found a poem!
ReplyDeleteLove your "Freddie Found a Poem" Linda and the peace-filled waters that he sailed into with words! Great art-found-poem display too.
ReplyDelete