MODULE 5—POETRY BREAK--POEM FROM A BOOK PUBLISHED IN 2008/2009

MODULE 5—POETRY BREAK--POEM FROM A BOOK PUBLISHED IN 2008/2009

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 2009. DINOTHESAURUS: PREHISTORIC POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Atheneum Books ISBN 9781416979784


INTRODUCTION
This book is a wonderful curriculum connection for a study done on dinosaurs or prehistoric times. Start by having the students theorize about possible reasons for the extinction of dinosaurs.



Seismosaurus
SIZE-mo-SAW-rus (earthshaking lizard)

Seismosaurus: tremendous in size.
Seismosaurus: stupendous lengthwise.
Seismosaurus: could make the earth shake.
Seismosaurus: as large as a lake.


EXTENSIONS

Have students figure out the dimensions of a lake in order to get a realistic picture of how humongous this creature really was. Florian has written many wonderful poetry books for children and among those are some of these selections that deal with animals:

BEAST FEAST: POEMS. 1998. New York: Voyager Books ISBN 0152017372
INSECTLOPEDIA. 2002. New York: Voyager Books ISBN 0152163352
IN THE SWIM. 2001. New York: Voyager Books ISBN 0152024379
LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS. 2005.
New York: Sandpiper ISBN 0152052488
MAMMALABILIA. 2004. New York: Voyager Books ISBN 0152050248

There have been many excellent poetry books published in 2008/2009. Here once again
is just a sampling. You may also check out Dr. Sylvia Vardell’s, professor in the
Library Science Department, at Texas Woman’s University, website at http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/ for a more exhaustive list of resources to use to share the joy of poetry with children.

Franco, Betsy. 2008. BEES, SNAILS, AND PEACOCK TAILS. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN 1416903860

Giovanni, Nikki, ed. HIP HOP SPEAKS TO CHILDREN: A CELEBRATION OF POETRY WITH A BEAT. Illustrated by Kristen Balouch, Michele Noiset, Jeremy Tugearu, Alicia Vergel de Dios, and Damian Ward.

Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks ISBN 1402210485
Martin, Bill Jr., ed. 2008. THE BILL MARTIN JR BIG BOOK OF POETRY.
New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 1416939717

Rex, Adam. 2008. FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE.
Orlando: Harcourt ISBN 9780152062354

MODULE 5—POETRY BREAK--REFRAIN—A POEM WITH A REFRAIN WITH REFRAIN NOTED

MODULE 5—POETRY BREAK--REFRAIN—A POEM WITH A REFRAIN WITH REFRAIN NOTED


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Prelutsky, Jack. 2008. BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE: AND OTHER POEMS. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. New York: Harper Collins
ISBN 9780061576539

INTRODUCTION
Have a lively discussion with the students about the “disgusting” things that the adult(s) at their homes have made them for lunch.


NOTE: The refrain for the following poem is Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch! Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch! One by one or by the bunch—Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch!


RAT FOR LUNCH!
Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch!
Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch!
One by one or by the bunch—
Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch!


Scrambled slug in salty slime
is our choice at breakfast time,
but for lunch, we say to you,
nothing but a rat will do.


Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch!
Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch!
One by one or by the bunch—
Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch!


For our snack each afternoon,
we chew bits of baked baboon,
curried squirrel, buttered bat,
but for lunch it must be rat.


Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch!
Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch!
One by one or by the bunch—
Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch!


In the evening we may dine
on fillet of porcupine,
buzzard gizzard, lizard chops,
but for lunch a rat is tops.


Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch!
Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch!
One by one or by the bunch—
Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch!


Rat, we love you steamed or stewed,
blackened, broiled, or barbecued.
Pickled, poached, or fried in fat,
there is nothing like a rat.


Rat for lunch! Rat for lunch!
Yum! Delicious! Munch munch munch!
One by one or by the bunch—
Rat, oh rat, oh rat for lunch


EXTENSIONS

Have the students create their own poems about the “disgusting” things that they have eaten in the past.

Read other poem books by Jack Prelutsky (a partial list only because he has written so many wonderful poetry books) but I have tried to include some of his newest releases
AWFUL OGRE RUNNING WILD. 2008. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0066238668
MY DOG MAY BE A GENIUS. 2008. Illustrated by James Stevenson.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0066238625
PIZZA, PIGS AND POETRY: HOW TO WRITE A POEM. 2008.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0061434485
READ A RHYME, WRITE A RHYME. 2009. Illustrated by Meilo So.
New York: Dragonfly Books ISBN 0385737270
THE SWAMPS OF SLEETHE: POEMS FROM BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
2009. Illustrated by Jimmy Pickering.
New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers ISBN 0375846743

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: A POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED SINCE 2005

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: A POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED SINCE 2005

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rowden, Justine. 2005. PAINT ME A POEM—POEMS INSPIRED BY MASTERPIECES OF ART.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press ISBN 1590782895

SUMMARY
This book contains fourteen poems written by Rowden that were inspired by paintings that she encountered while touring the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Each reproduction of a painting along with the accompanying poem is beautifully laid on a two-page spread.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

What an interesting way and pairing of two concepts that can at times be challenging for students to get a grasp of! Many students struggle with the intent and the message that an artist is trying to communicate through their paintings, especially paintings that predate the birth of the child. In addition, some students have a hard time grasping the meaning of a poem and often how to begin writing their own piece of poetry. Ms. Rowden has expertly shown children how to combine two forms of artistry-painting and poetry writing and turn them into something that a reader of any age can understand and draw their own conclusions from.

In the poem inspired by Andre Derain’s Flowers in a Vase Rowden penned this poem which describes a stem and the petals on a rose having an argument about sharing space but then start to notice the uniqueness of each other and finally coming to the conclusion that they make a great team when they realize that each one of them has something to offer to the relationship. What a great lead-in for a teacher and/or teacher librarian to use when he/she notices that some children in their respective classrooms/library are not getting along.

SO CLOSE

You seem to be awfully close;
Your stem is stepping on my toes.
I don’t think so.
Could you please tuck your leaves in a little bit?
There’s really no place to move.
At least, could you please try not to lean on me?
I don’t think I really am.
Your petals are in my face; they’re blocking my view.
That’s just the way I happen to blossom.
Could we try to get along?
You know, you are an incredible shade of pink.
Oh, you noticed!
I’m really glad you’re so close.



In a poem entitled It’s All Hidden Rowden describes how objects are not always how they first appear. A transfer of knowledge occurs when people realize that it is also true of human beings—once we get to someone on a personal level that what they look like on the outside does not matter. This particular poem was inspired by the painting done by Francisco de Goya entitled BARTOLOME SUREDA Y MISEROL.

BARTOLOME SUREDA Y MISEROL is a painting depicting a young distinguished, well-dressed gentleman posing for a portrait. In his hand he is holding a top hat with a red silk lining. The silk lining would be totally hidden from view if it were not for the fact that he is holding the hat instead of wearing it. What wonderful treasures human beings can find each other once the outer shell has been “stripped” away.

IT’S ALL HIDDEN

Sometimes a surprise
Is meant to be hidden,
Where no one suspects
What secrets are there—

Like a delicate green bud
Quietly sleeping,
Waiting for morning
To burst into purple.

Or a marshmallow-white egg
Hiding a golden yolk
Deep, deep inside
Its serene white oval.

And that black silk hat
Sitting tall on a head,
Laughing, for it knows
It is really red inside.

I found this picture of an unusual object that could be used to discuss with students how the object may have had one purpose at some point in time and now is used for a different purpose.




REVIEW EXCERPT
Booklist-“Teachers and children will find new ways to look at and respond to art in these open, freewheeling poems.”

CONNECTIONS
A couple other books where art inspired poets to create a piece of poetry:
Greenberg, Jan. 2001. HEART TO HEART: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICAN ART. New York: Abrams ISBN 0810943867

---, ed. 2008. SIDE BY SIDE: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY ART FROM AROUND THE WORLD. New York: Abrams ISBN 0810994712

Here are a few of many excellent poem books that have published since 2005:

Calmenson, Stephanie. 2005. KINDERGARTEN KIDS: RIDDLES, REBUSES, WIGGLES, GIGGLES, AND MORE. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0060007141
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. PLEASE BURY ME IN THE LIBRARY.
Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone. Orlando: Harcourt ISBN 0152163875
Kennedy, Caroline. 2005. A FAMILY OF POEMS: MY FAVORITE POETRY FOR CHILDREN. Illustrated by Jon J. Muth.
New York: Hyperion Books ISBN 0786851112
Sword, Elizabeth Hauge. 2006. A CHILD’S ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0880013788
Wilson, Dr. Edwin Graves. 2007. POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: MAYA ANGELOU. Illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue.
New York: Sterling ISBN 1402720238

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: CURRICULUM CONNECTION

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: CURRICULUM CONNECTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 1997. MARVELOUS MATH: A BOOK OF POEMS.
Illustrated by Karen Barbour. New York: Simon and Schuster.
ISBN 0689806582

SUMMARY
In this delightful Lee Bennett Hopkins has selected 16 poems, two of which are penned by him that relate to the topic of mathematics. The poems range from how math makes us feel to how numbers help us make sense of the world around us.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Hopkins has a natural knack for selecting poems for an anthology that will appeal to children. Most of the poems have a two-page spread and the ones that do not get their own two-page spread go so well together that the illustrations seem to have been meant for that poem even though there was no previous collaboration between each individual poet and the illustrator. For example, J. Thomas Sparough’s poem HOURGLASS is paired along side Ilo Orleans poem TIME PASSES. Since both poems deal with time it is natural to place these two together. What is interesting about pairing these two together is the fact that while Sparough’s poem is about time it is more about time over centuries and how weather over time has reshaped the earth while Orleans’ poem has more to do with time that children can physically see on a clock and get a sense of a twenty-four period.



In Rebecca Kai Dotlich’s poem MARVELOUS MATH she uses an abcb pattern to describe some of the purposes of mathematics. While students may not be wondering about these exact questions she illustrates in language that children will understand and that will spark their curiosity to learn the answers to her questions if they do not already know the answers. Her poem reads as follows:


MARVELOUS MATH
How fast does a New York taxi go?
What size is grandpa’s attic?
How old is the oldest dinosaur?
The answer’s in Mathematics!

How many seconds in an hour?
How many in a day?
What size are the planets in the sky?
How far is the Milky Way?

How fast does lightning travel?
How slow do feathers fall?
How many miles to Istanbul?
Mathematics knows it all!


Lillian M. Fisher’s poem TO BUILD A HOUSE provides a wonderful lead in for a unit on using all four math operations to complete a project in addition to learning some new vocabulary—in this case the construction of a model house. Many children may not be familiar with the word cupboard so will have to use another important skill-research-in order to learn what this word means and what a cupboard actually looks like.
The students will also have to figure out how to build a house to scale as well as researching the various types of materials that are used to build homes. This could also tie-in with a social studies and science unit on the types of materials found in various parts of the world and then each student or group of students could be responsible for building a home suitable for that part of the world.

Barbour has created delightful illustrations with her depiction of a house and a ruler running around the perimeter of the two-page spread. She uses bright bold colors that appeal to children of all ages. This illustration like all the others for this book are done by using gouache paint which is described as an opaque watercolor.

TO BUILD A HOUSE
Here on this plot
Our house will rise
Against the hill
Beneath blue skies

Ruler and tape
Measure the size
Of windows and cupboards
The floors inside

We add, subtract,
Multiply, divide
To build closets and stairs
The porch outside

Without numbers and measure
Would our house ever rise
Against the hill
Beneath blue skies?

Note: This is probably not the picture the poet had in mind but I was trying to find an interesting unusual house to show the variety in the types of homes.



This gem of a book will make a great addition to a teacher or librarian’s collection.


REVIEW EXCERPT
School Library Journal-“Barbour's lively illustrations dance and play around the poems... Children will enjoy studying the oddly colored animals, numbers, and stylized, arched-browed people.”

CONNECTIONS

Some other math related poetry books:
Franco, Betsy. 2006. MATH POETRY.
Tucson, AZ: Good Year Books. ISBN 1596470720
----. 2006. MATHEMATICKLES. Illustrated by Steven Salerno.
New York: Aladdin. ISBN 1416918612
Holub, Joan and Heather Boyd. 2003. RIDDLE-ICULOUS MATH.
Illustrated by Regan Dunnick.
Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company. ISBN 0807549967
Tang, Greg. 2003. MATH-TERPIECES. Illustrated by Greg Paprocki.
New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439443881

Some other curriculum connection poetry books:

Asch, Frank. 1996. SAWGRASS POEMS: A VIEW OF THE EVERGLADES.
Illustrated by Ted Levin. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt ISBN 0152001808
Fletcher, Ralph. 2005. A WRITING KIND OF DAY: POEMS FOR YOUNG POETS.
Illustrated by April Ward.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mill Press. ISBN 1590783530
Goldish, Meish. 1999. 101 SCIENCE POEMS & SONGS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590963694
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2002. SPECTACULAR SCIENCE: A BOOK OF POEMS. New York: Aladdin. ISBN 0689851200
Prelutsky, Jack. 1997. RIDE A PURPLE PELICAN.
New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0688156258
Scieszka, Jon. 2007. SCIENCE VERSE. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 0670062693

MODULE 4—POETRY BREAK—BIOGRAPHICAL POEM

MODULE 4—POETRY BREAK—BIOGRAPHICAL POEM

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 1999. LIVES—POEMS ABOUT FAMOUS AMERICANS. Illustrated by Leslie Staub. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 006027767X



NOTE: All but one of these sixteen poems is written by poets other than Hopkins. These poems have been selected by Hopkins to be included in this anthology.

INTRODUCTION
Discuss with the students why Dr. Martin Luther King was so important in America’s history. This poem would be especially appropriate on January 15, his birth date.





MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
X. J. Kennedy

Solemn bells in steeples sing:

Doctor
Martin
Luther
King.


He lived his life
He dreamed his dream:
The worst-off people
To redeem,

He dreamed a world
Where people stood
Not separate, but
In brotherhood.

Now ten-ton bells together swing:

Remember
Martin
Luther
King.


EXTENSIONS

Discuss and perhaps even have the children locate information on other important African-American people in United States history.

Other books that would help expand the topic on America’s history and important people in history are:

Katz, Bobbi. 2000. WE THE PEOPLE: POEMS. Illustrated by Nina Crews.
New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0688165311

Meltzer, Milton, Ed. 2003. HOUR OF FREEDOM: AMERICAN HISTORY IN POETRY. Illustrated by Marc Nadel.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 1590780213

Lewis, J. Patrick and Jim Cooke. HEROES AND SHE-ROES: POEMS OF AMAZING AND EVERYDAY HEROES. 2005.
New York: Random House. ISBN 0803729251

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, Complier. HAND IN HAND: AN AMERICAN HISTORY THROUGH POETRY. Illustrated by Peter M. Fiore. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 067173315X

MODULE 4—POETRY BREAK—SPRING-A POEM ABOUT THE SEASON OF SPRING

MODULE 4—POETRY BREAK—SPRING-A POEM ABOUT THE SEASON OF SPRING


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fletcher, Ralph. 1997. ORDINARY THINGS—POEMS FROM A WALK IN EARLY SPRING. Drawings by Walter Lyon Krudop.
New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689810350


INTRODUCTION
If at all possible read this poem outside so that the students can observe Mother Nature while listening and enjoying this poem.





birds’ nest (Note: The title is written as Fletcher has done)


You see birds’ nests
like unpicked fruit
in branches bare
of any leaves.

When I was small
Grandma cut my hair
and tossed the clumps
onto our lawn.

“Birds will use it
to line their nests
and keep the eggs
safe and warm.”

An amazing thing:
my ordinary hair
woven into a bird’s
wild tapestry.



EXTENSIONS

While outside after reading the poem look for birds’ nests and observe what the birds have used for building material(s)


Read other books by Fletcher which include but are not limited to:

POETRY MATTERS: WRITING A POEM FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 2002.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0380797038

TWILIGHT COMES TWICE. 1997. New York: Clarion ISBN 0395848261

HELLO, HARVEST MOON. 2003. New York: Clarion ISBN 0618164510

MODULE 3—POETRY BREAK--A POEM THAT DOES NOT RHYME

MODULE 3—POETRY BREAK--A POEM THAT DOES NOT RHYME


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Soto, Gary. 1995. CANTO FAMILIAR. Illustrated by Annika Nelson.
New York: Harcourt Brace. ISBN 0152000674


INTRODUCTION
Look at a map of the world and discuss the physical features of each continent and/or country.






TORTILLAS LIKE AFRICA
When Isaac and me squeezed dough over a
Mixing bowl,
When we dusted the cutting board with flour,
When we spanked and palmed our balls of dough,
When we said, “Here goes,”
And began rolling out tortillas,
We giggled because ours came out not round,
Like Mama’s,
But in the shape of faraway lands.

Here was Africa, here was Colombia, and Greenland.
Here was Italy, the boot country,
And here was Mexico, our homeland to the south.

Here was Chile, thin as tie.
Here was France, square as a hat.
Here was Australia, with patches of jumping kangaroos.

We rolled out our tortillas on the board
And laughed when we threw them on the comal,
These tortillas that were not round as a pocked moon,
But the twist and stretch of the earth taking shape.






EXTENSIONS

Have the students “perform” the actions in the poem by providing dough and letting them create the world. This is a great follow-up to a Social Studies unit on the continents/countries of the world.




Read other poetry books by Gary Soto including but not limited to:
GARY SOTO; NEW AND SELECTED POEMS. 1995. New York: Chronicle. ISBN 0811807584
PARTLY CLOUDY: POEMS OF LOVE AND LONGING. 2009.
New York: Harcourt. ISBN 0152063013
NEIGHBORHOOD ODES. 2005. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 015205364
A FIRE IN MY HANDS: A BOOK OF POEMS. 1992.
New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590445790


Try these poetry books:
Nye, Naomi Shihab. 1998. THE TREE IS OLDER THAN YOU ARE: A BILINGUUAL GATHERING OF PEOMS & STORIES FROM MEXICO New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689820879
Myers, Walter Dean. 1996. BROWN ANGELS: AN ALBUM OF PICTURES AND VERSE. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0064434559
Grimes, Nikki. IS IT FAR TO ZANZIBAR: POEMS ABOUT TANZANIA.
New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0688131573