The Poem Farm: Coral Poems

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Welcome! My name is Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, and I have been blogging in this (ad and AI free) space since 2010 and now post on many Fridays and every day of April (National Poetry Month). I welcome you to poke around! xo, a.

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Book Peek

This is a student poem from POEMS ARE TEACHERS: HOW STUDYING POETRY STRENGTHENS WRITING IN ALL GENRES, 2017. This book is full of most of what I know about writing and teaching poetry, and it includes poems by 50 contemporary poets and 100 children along with many many clear and simple lessons. You can learn more and download a chapter by clicking the image above.

Time Travel

The Poem Farm is 16 years old and filled with hundreds of poems. Here is one from the past....2012!

Now Making...

I was given a large bag of quince this week...and I will soon be making something (Jam? Compote?) with them. I can't say I'm not intimidated and welcome your quince suggestions. xo, a.

School Visits

I am now scheduling assemblies, writing workshops, and teacher staff development for 2026 - 2027. Please contact Allyson Hickey through Booked Authors by clicking the image above. - xo, Amy

Grateful News

Caption from Buffalo NY's Sisters of Charity Hospital's social media post two weeks ago: "Thank you to Dee Romito for coming to read her book 'Kisses Are Invisible' and to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater for introducing our Very Hungry Caterpillars to 'The Sound of Kindness.' Both Dee and Amy left behind signed, personalized copies of their books for the babies they read to - what a meaningful keepsake for their families, and a beautiful way to end the week." It was an honor. xo, a.

Sing along with THE SOUND OF KINDNESS!

My talented friend Barry Lane set THE SOUND OF KINDNESS to music and sings and strums it here. Click the image above to sing with Barry, and please let me know if you do! xo, a.

New Thoughts

I welcome you to read my post at the Colorado Reading Association blog: "Writing Ideas: Keeping it Real." Find the post by clicking the link above. xo, a.

Podcast

It is a delight to visit with Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk at their wise and hopeful podcast STICKY HOPE. In this episode, we talk about kindness in the classroom and my Magination Press book, THE SOUND OF KINDNESS. Click the image to listen.

Podcast

It is an honor to visit The Two Writing Teachers podcast where I speak with Stacey Shubitz about "Igniting a Passion for Poetry." I have been teaching poetry for about 25 years now, and there will always be so much for me to learn. Click the image to listen.

For Teachers

This is my poetry book for teachers. Filled with over 50 poems by contemporary poets and over 100 poems by young people, this practical book is teeming with lessons and writing ideas. Click the image above to listen to the podcast in which I speak about this book.

Social Media

Teacher Friends, If you happened to follow me on Twitter or Instagram, I am no longer on any Meta platforms. You may find me at bluesky at amylvpoemfarm. xo, Amy

Poetry Videos!

I created 10 short videos in 2024, each one about a different aspect of writing poetry, and each about 10 minutes long. These are for young writers...and old writers! Find them all at the tab atop this blog - COAXING POEMS. xo, a.

Newest Book!

My newest book, THE SOUND OF KINDNESS, is linked at the image above, where you can hear me read it and find an educator guide sharing all kinds of ways to celebrate kindness in the classroom and in life. xo, a.

Spring 2021

January 2021

THAT MISSING FEELING, illustrated by Morena Forza and published by Magination Press, is a picture book I wrote about the feeling of missing something...and how writing can help us through these times. It is not a story, not a poem book, and it has many ideas for notebookers in the back.

Writing Chats

Friends, My 72 free and ad-free notebooking videos are still available.

March 2020

IIf you'd like to make a butterfly pencil yourself, Ryan made a template which you can find at bit.ly/ButterflyPencil. xo, Amy

Song with Barry Lane

Sometimes, my good friend Barry and I collaborate on a song. We did so one summer, with this poem I wrote in 2016. It is wonderful to have a friend with whom you can share words and music... Click the poem to be taken to the song.

Spring 2018

A Podcast!

I am so happy to be part of this podcast with the wonderful authors of SHARING BOOKS, TALKING SCIENCE, Valerie Bang-Jensen and Mark Lubkowitz. We had a blast! Click the image to hear it.

Bookmark

Please print if you wish! There are 4 bookmarks per page, and each has room at the top for a hole and yarn. x

Commenting

If you are under 13 years old, please comment only with a parent or as part of a group with your teacher and class, not with your full name.

Nonfiction

Orchard/Scholastic, 2016

First Book

Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013

Need a Poem?

If you are new here, I welcome you! If you seek a poem, click the "Find a Poem" tab above, and it will take you to a page where you can select poems by topic (dogs) or technique (alliteration). This resource is intended for personal or classroom use, and I welcome teachers and students to use these poems in lessons and as mentors. - Amy

My Other Blog

Click the chatting birds to peek into others' notebooks and to find zillions of ideas for your own notebook keeping life.

Click me to use today's poem!

Listen & Watch

This is a song I wrote with Barry Lane about something parents and teachers know. A child is so much more than a score.

Join Us!

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PF Schedule

October
2 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche
9 Jama at Jama's Alphabet Soup
16 Rose at Imagine the Possibilities
23 Tracey at Tangles and Tails
30 Jone at Jone Rush MacCulloch

November
6 Joyce at Joyce Uglow Author
13 Carol at The Apples in My Orchard
20 Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge
27 Jane at Rain City Librarian

December
4 Irene at Live Your Poem
11 Karen at Karen Edmisten*
18 Linda at Another Word Edgewise
25 Amy at The Poem Farm

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