Occasion Poems: Back to School

 

Mr. Chomper the Pencil Sharpener

Photo by Amy LV

Students - This week I went back to school again, having been out of the classroom and working as an author and writing teacher for the past 22 years. A former fifth grade teacher, now I am a happy fourth grade teacher!

Students and teachers alike have been nervous about returning, and yet, the wonderfulness of children made everything good. I am thankful for my students and new colleagues.

 

Sometimes life offers a change or an occasion such as back to school time. Maybe you get a new pet or move from your old house. One person learns to ride a tricycle and another graduates from trike to bike. Changes are occasions...and we can write poems for them. What changes or occasions are you seeing in your life and in the lives of those you care about these days? Consider a poem as a gift…for your future self or for someone you love.

Kiesha is hosting this week's Poetry Friday party over at Whispers from the Ridge with the roundup and some poems by one of her favorite poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar. All are welcome each Friday as we share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship. Check out my left sidebar to learn where to find this poetry goodness each week of the year.

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or as part of a group with your teacher and class.

Last Day of School - MyPoWriYe #84

Here in New York State, many schools end their 2009-2010 year today.  This poem is for you - students, teachers, and parents too.

For me, a new school year always meant fresh new school supplies.  By June, those supplies were tattered and pretty-near used up.  But my mind was one year shinier and smarter, even though the paper was gone and my metal lunchbox was dented.

Students - this is a list poem.  It's almost a check-off list of what's happened to what during the year.  This is an interesting way to organize a poem, by a list.  Just choose a topic and think of lists you might make around that topic.  Then...play!

Summer is here, but The Poem Farm will continue to grow.  Please know, students, that I welcome you to stop by during the summer.  And here's a fun reading project for you (and your teachers).  My daughter Georgia and I would like to recommend Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook, by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter.  Georgia's ten, and this is her favorite book about writing.  For two great reviews, read what Stacey has to say at Two Writing Teachers and Kate's words at Book Aunt.

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You can visit the authors' blogs (chock full of ideas and tips) at Anne's Journal and Ellen's Journal.  These two authors even have a website for the book.  Check it out here.

Partway through reading Spilling Ink, Georgia stopped to write this poem.  She didn't revise a word, and I just typed it when she came to me with her spiral.  A poetry book review was born...

Who Would Write?

Who would write

Instead of read?

The writers have written for you.
They've got all the ideas.

They've got all the plots.
They have all the stuff

that I haven't got.

But why would I read?

Why couldn't I write

my own?

They don't have to write for me.

I've got ideas too.

I also have plots.

So why write?

Why not?

Georgia VanDerwater

Happy summer to you all!  If you're down under, a happy winter to you!  I hope that wherever you are, you keep visiting throughout the next few months.  I do so like having you here.

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