poetry Archives - Page 274 of 287

April 25, 2016

Finding the Rhyme in a Poem

Finding the Rhyme in a Poem (Write Me a Poem)
by Valerie Bodden (Author)

An elementary exploration of rhyme and rhythm in poetry, introducing syllables, rhyme schemes, and sonnets as well as poets such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Includes a writing exercise.

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

The second spread in the Beat and Rhythm chapter says:

POEMS are a lot like music. When you read a poem, you can hear its rhythm (RIH-thum). In music, instruments or voices make the rhythm and keep the beat. But in poetry, rhythm is made by the words.

The paragraph begins with a comparison:

POEMS are a lot like music.

Then the new term is introduced. A phonetic spelling is included:

When you read a poem, you can hear its rhythm (RIH-thum).

The comparison is expanded:

In music, instruments or voices make the rhythm and keep the beat.

The paragraph ends with more information about the new idea:

But in poetry, rhythm is made by the words.

The simplest way to explain something new is to compare it to something that the readers already know.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

April 21, 2016

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
by Laura Shovan (Author)

Booktalk: The BIG Picture

Eighteen kids,
one year of poems,
one school set to close.
Two yellow bulldozers
crouched outside,
ready to eat the building
in one greedy gulp.

But look out, bulldozers.
Ms. Hill’s fifth-grade class
has plans for you.
They’re going to speak up
and work together
to save their school.

#kidlit Writing Lesson: the small details

The poem for April 21 (today!) begins:

April 21
STAND UP, SIT DOWN
Hannah Wiles

The phone rings.
I can hardly believe what I see.
Shoshanna’s number on the ID.
She says George is planning a protest
for our school to stay open.
She wants me to come.

The poem begins with an action:

The phone rings.

That action leads to a reaction that rhymes:

I can hardly believe what I see.
Shoshanna’s number on the ID.

What Shoshanna says on the phone comes next. The information is first:

She says George is planning a protest
for our school to stay open.

Then Shoshanna makes a request:

She wants me to come.

Not a word is wasted as the story in the poem moves forward line by line with actions and reactions.