A Read Aloud for Earth
by Amy LV
Students - I believe in science, and today's poem was inspired by the activism of so many young people raising their voices for our planet and today, speaking out and striking in over 1500 events across the world. Sixteen-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg is in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize for her climate change activism, and Poetry Friday host Heidi teaches us all about this issue today at her blog my juicy little universe.
From Twitter
Sometimes writing grows from a belief held by a writer. I hold the belief that we ought to care for this beautiful blue and green ball, and I am grateful for those who help us learn how to take care of it. To write this poem, I did a little bit of research at NASA's Climate Kids and at the David Suzuki Foundation.
What do you believe is important? What are you willing to stand up for? These thoughts are always excellent writing wells from which to draw. Small can be strong. Never forget this.
Many of these displayed poems were written by Michelle Layer's fifth grade class, and they kindly put them together for me to share with you here. Note how these writers experimented with different writing styles, even finding the idea to craft like/dislike poems when they read my likes and dislikes. These poets, their teacher, and I had a little chat at the end of the day and, too, a glorious group hug. Thank you to each one, and thank you to their wise, caring teacher, Michelle Layer, for sharing their words with me...and with all of us.
Please feel free to enlarge these Slides presentations if you wish to see the poems - and graphics - larger.
Again, many thank yous to these generous (and so sweet!) poets.
It is a pleasure to host teacher and writer Brett Vogelsinger over at my other blog, Sharing Our Notebooks, this month. Please drop by to read his post about notebook poetry drafting...and to be entered into a cool notebook giveaway as well.
Again, thank you to Heidi who is hosting today's Poetry Friday #youthclimatestrike roundup over at my juicy little universe, a post full of truth, wisdom, inspiration, and action. Please know that the Poetry Friday community shares poems and poemlove each week, and everyone is invited to visit, comment, and post. And if you have a blog, we welcome you to link right in with us.
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