Wednesday, August 25, 2010

My Poem Writing Year #147 - Ready


First Day 2007
Photo by Amy LV


This week's Monday Poetry Stretch over at Tricia's The Miss Rumphius Effect challenges us to write about returning to school.  You can read the poems as they roll in at her post here.

Today's poem, Ready, is a companion to the poem I wrote for the last day of school in June, Last Day of School.  You can read and remember that "beginning of summer feeling" here

One of the most interesting things about keeping up with a daily poem is finding out which topics surface and resurface.  So far I've noticed my own interest in: fireflies, punctuation, school, nature, and the inner feelings of inanimate objects.

After mentioning that I might write a collection of punctuation poems about different characters, I found a book series online that makes punctuation marks into characters.  The series is called MEET THE PUNCS, and I have yet to read one.  Does anyone out there know these books?  I would love to hear what you think of them before I order one.

I did reformat yesterday's poem, on wind, and now it is a concrete poem.  You can click on the title above and check it out if you're interested in seeing its new look.  Throughout the week, I hope to reformat poems that were originally typed into my tiny phone!

As this school year begins, I highly recommend reading a poem each day.  Here are two sources to get you started.  J. Patrick Lewis has a new collection of original poems titled COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER for elementary students.  For middle school students, I recommend NAMING THE WORLD collected and with lessons by Nancie Atwell.



Here in New York State, we do not begin school until after Labor Day, but some schools are already back or just returning.  To all teachers and students:  many good wishes and blessings for a beautiful year!  Today my own children received letters from their teachers, and they look forward to a whole new year of adventure.

Do not miss Elaine Magliaro's 2010 list of Back to School books and resources.  You can find this wonderful resource here at her blog, Wild Rose Reader.  Thank you, Elaine!

(Please click on COMMENTS below to share a thought.)

5 comments:

  1. Amy,

    That's a great end-of-summer/back-to-school poem!

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  2. Amy, I think this might be the perfect poem for me to make into a poster for my room this year! You rock!

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  3. Thank you, Elaine and Becky! I love Tricia's challenges...

    Elaine - After coming back from out-of-town, I just found (and linked to!) your incredible list. Thank you.

    Becky - I would love to see your poster if you make one. I'm smiling.

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  4. Amy, my first time on your blog---I'm excited! I love it and am so excited to reference it often over the coming school year!!

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  5. Karen, Thank you! I'm so glad you came by. Please know that on Fridays during the school year I highlight a classroom or student or teacher's idea or lesson or chart, whenever someone is willing to share. So please, as the year goes on, I'd love to have you! Happy start to your year.
    A.

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