Sleeping in a Tent
by Amy LV
Students - Yesterday I had a conversation with my friend Jackie about spending lots of time outside. I didn't realize how deeply the talk had settled into my bones, but it had. For last night when I sat to write, this is what came out. We are going camping soon too, in a cabin, and I can't wait to just spend time by the fire, under the stars with my family.
To write today's poem, I just followed my mind. I allowed the poem to come to me instead of going off searching for the poem. Sometimes just settling down and listening to yourself is the best way to begin writing. Maybe that's the always the best thing to do. Before writing, take a few good breaths and just listen to you.
You'll notice that each stanza of today's poem begins with the same first two lines. And the ending, well...that is my favorite part. I had played with a few different endings: endings about peeper sounds, endings about cozy toes and campfire-smoky hair, but those endings just did not feel right. Then I realized how much I love sleeping outside. And I asked myself why. See, whenever I sleep outside in a tent, I want to ALWAYS sleep in a tent. There is something magical about that feeling, being so close to nature, just a fabric wall away. The ending, like the subject, approached me. And I let it stay.
To write today's poem, I just followed my mind. I allowed the poem to come to me instead of going off searching for the poem. Sometimes just settling down and listening to yourself is the best way to begin writing. Maybe that's the always the best thing to do. Before writing, take a few good breaths and just listen to you.
You'll notice that each stanza of today's poem begins with the same first two lines. And the ending, well...that is my favorite part. I had played with a few different endings: endings about peeper sounds, endings about cozy toes and campfire-smoky hair, but those endings just did not feel right. Then I realized how much I love sleeping outside. And I asked myself why. See, whenever I sleep outside in a tent, I want to ALWAYS sleep in a tent. There is something magical about that feeling, being so close to nature, just a fabric wall away. The ending, like the subject, approached me. And I let it stay.
And now, it's time for a...
Poetry Art Calendars
Klem South Elementary, Webster, NY
by Third Grade Teacher Rosanne Kulikowski
Today I am so happy to welcome third grade teacher Rosanne Kulikowski and her students from Klem South Elementary. I have had the privilege of learning about writing with Rosanne for the past few years, and it is great fun for me to be able to share her class's project here.
In room 205 at Klem South Elementary, we love poetry! Last December we immersed ourselves in it. The children loved Amy’s poems and enjoyed The Poem Farm. We always had to read about what inspired her to write each particular one. Each of Amy’s poems in turn inspired students to reflect and connect poetry to their own lives.
With all of the enthusiasm around these poems, I decided we would make special holiday calendars for parents, each with a child’s reflection and illustration for one of Amy’s poems every month. I was especially touched by how each poem brought out a personal meaning to every student. Their illustrations were like small snapshots of their imaginations. Below each poem/illustration/reflection was the calendar grid with holidays and family birthdays filled in. The students not only loved reading and writing poetry, but were so proud of their gifts!
Click to enlarge these calendar pages by Sara and Isabella.
Art & Response by Sara
Art & Response by Isabella
Art & Response by Isabella
Art & Response by Sara
Thank you to Sara and Isabella and to their teacher Rosanne Kulikowski for sharing these calendar pages and this neat idea here today.
Today I am tickled to announce that Shane Couch, self-professed notebook addict, is sharing his addiction with us at my other blog, Sharing Our Notebooks. Visit, read Shane's inspiring post, and perhaps win a new notebook for yourself! If you are interested in sharing your own notebooks at Sharing Our Notebooks, please just contact me here.
Diane is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup this week. Stroll on over to Random Noodling to find an always-rich assortment of poetic goodies for the days ahead.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
