Friday, May 6, 2022

A Spring Welcome to Young Poets

Leaf Lullaby - May 5, 2022
Photo by Amy LV



Students - As I was driving down the road to my home the other day, I noticed that the hill was once again whispering green. And the words a lullaby of leaves came into my head. I have been happily carrying that phrase in the palm of my hand all week long, and today it lives in this tiny poem. 

Pay good attention to the words and phrases that come to you as flashes. These are like shooting stars, meant just for you. You can sew stories and poems together with such bits and pieces.


Today I am so lucky to welcome some great fourth grade poets and artists from Liberty, Missouri. They are fine poets and poem-celebrators, popcorn eaters, and thoughtful creators. Their teacher - author Emily Callahan - and I have shared many poem joys back and forth through the years, and the work of these students has touched me deeply.

Click through the slides below (enlarge the show if you wish) to see proverb poems, prequel poems, artwork, poem thoughts, animal poems, and color poems. Notice the students' writing moves and their thoughtfulness. Enjoy every moment, just as I did and will each time I visit their work.

Thank you so much, young poets. You make the world a richer, kinder place with your words.

Slideshow is Here 


I would like to give a copy of Emily Callahan's wise, beautiful, and  brand new book with Debbie Miller -  I'M THE KIND OF KID WHO: INVITATIONS THAT SUPPORT LEARNER IDENTITY AND AGENCY - to a teacher who comments on these students' poems. The book can also go to someone who is not a teacher...but who will give it to a teacher. Please simply comment on this post, about these students poems, before next Thursday, May 12 at 11:59pm.

Giveaway Book!
Comment by Thursday, May 12 at 11:59pm

Jama is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at Jama's Alphabet Soup with an exquisite tribute to mothers and Mother's Day in both poetry, family photographs, memories, and art. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.

May the hushes and swishes of the changing seasons bring you peace this week.

xo,

Amy

Please share a comment below if you wish. 
If you are under 13 years old, please only comment with a parent
or as part of a group with your teacher and class.

19 comments:

  1. What an amazing class full of poets! I was particularly touched by the way Ava and Matt interpreted your "Clay Voices," and those prequel poems were all kinds of fun...plus the fact that the class "...kind of went "prequel crazy."" A book about learner identity and agency -- SO important and so needed. In Michelle Kogan's post this week, we see how Maya Angelou's mother's words "gave her a sense of her future." We just never know how we'll change lives with the words we choose to name the work we see a child (or anyone!) doing.

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  2. Wow Mrs. Callahan's class! These are so great! What wonderful writers you have become this school year.

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  3. Great Job 4th Grade Sharks! We are so proud of your hard work all year long!

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  4. Great job Sharks! We are so proud of you!!

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  5. Fabulous slideshow. Kudos to all the 4th grade poets! "Spring sings" is so lovely too!

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  6. We may still have winter up for a day but it is very drowsy at the moment! Welcome spring. I love the poems from Emily's class, know Liberty, MO from when I lived in the KC area. How wonderful to read those words, creating heads for remembering, writing in the worm's POV. I was so happy that granddaughter Imogene's class just created their own anthology of poems. She has fallen in love with Jabberwocky. : ) Thanks, Amy. Don't put me in the drawing, give to a teacher!

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  7. Great job Sharks! Your poems are great!

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  8. We have a blanket of green here, too - from lovely summery rains. But winter is surely weaving a quilt of frosted browns to stretch across the flats in coming weeks and months.

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  9. Great job guys on your poetry and slideshow! I love how creative you were with words! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  10. What incredible work these students have done! Here's hoping winter is truly asleep!

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  11. Hooray for Ms. Callahan and the kids! It is very clear that your deep dive into Amy's poetry and lots of other books has produced a whole culture of poetry sensitivity and production (fueled by popcorn). My favorite part is how collaborative this all feels--even when some of you were pursuing your own projects, you were doing it as a group. When I was a 4th grade poet, I felt rather alone. Amy, I like how your lullaby of leaves is like a prequel to all those fall leaf poems we'll come to later. I'd love to read more about learner identity and agency!

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  12. Although we are wrapped in green, winter keeps threatening to get out of bed! Mrs. Callahan's poets are impressive and inspiring! Thank you for sharing their poems.

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  13. I'm late to this post, but so glad I came. What a wealth of poetry from Ms. Callahan's class! I want to share with my own students to inspire them. Poetry that keeps on giving.

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  14. Thanks for sharing the 4th graders poems, Amy! It is heartwarming to see such enthusiasm for poetry. Your "Lullaby of Leaves" offers a whole new perspective on winter. It seems we are always so ready for it to be over, we forget that it might also want a gentle good-bye.

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  15. I simply love your poetry. The end. You inspire me all the time.

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  16. The 4th-grade poets in Room 232 send their best to the amazing poets in Family 4. Thank you for sharing your fantastic poems. We all enjoyed reading them!

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  17. I loved reading all of these poems!!! I was so impressed with each and every one of you!! Great job!! You all are amazing! :)

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  18. shannon mahoney-grayMay 10, 2022 at 9:06 PM

    All of these poems are so wonderful!! What a talented group you all are! I loved reading each and every one of them!!!

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  19. These student’s poem creations are marvelous Amy, thanks to you and their teacher, Emily Callahan for sharing the prompt challenges and all here, they are sparkling 💎's!!! Love 💗 your green lullaby poem too!

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