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Laura’s e-letter for educators

Tip #8: Connect With the Poem & Poetry Friday Roundup!

Happy Poetry Friday!

I’m so pleased to be hosting Poetry Friday today, and thank you for dropping in!

First, I’m going to continue my month-long series of Poetry Tips for Teachers.

Tip #8: Connect With the Poem

Annabelle with pastaHelp kids connect before reading the poem. Let’s take this poem from Lee Bennett Hopkins’ charming new board book poetry anthology, Lullaby and Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love with Your Baby. I am so excited to have a poem in this book that might be the cutest poetry book I’ve ever seen, with so many poets I like and respect! It’s a great choice for introducing babies and toddlers to poetry. I know I’ll be giving it as a baby shower gift often.? OK, sorry–I digress.

Anyway, before I read “Spaghetti” to kids, I’m going to ask them a few questions to help them to connect with this poem. “Do you like spaghetti? What color shirt do you think I should wear when I eat spaghetti? Do you have a little brother or sister who eats spaghetti? What happens then?” And, if I should happen to have it with me, I will show them this picture of my daughter Annabelle eating spaghetti when she was a toddler–teehee!? By talking to kids about your own life and their lives–around a poem–you help them connect to poems.

spaghetti

As an added bonus, you can hear poet Irene Latham beautifully read several poems, including “Spaghetti,” from this adorable book here.

And now it’s time for the Roundup! Don’t forget to leave your link in Mister Linky below! And click through to find everyone else’s links to go check out.

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120 Responses

  1. Thanks for hosting today, Laura! I honestly didn’t know who was hosting when I decided to feature our Wacky, Wild, and Wonderful: 50 State Poems inspired doors for Poetry Friday this week. I’m thrilled with them, and hope you enjoy them, too. We’re all looking forward to seeing you on Skype in a few weeks!

    1. Those doors are simply amazing. I am truly in awe at the concerted effort that went into this schoolwide project. And the joy and creativity of everyone! I wish I was there in person to visit every single door.

  2. Thanks for hosting today, Laura! I honestly didn’t know who was hosting when I decided to feature our Wacky, Wild, and Wonderful: 50 State Poems inspired doors for Poetry Friday this week. I’m thrilled with them, and hope you enjoy them, too. We’re all looking forward to seeing you on Skype in a few weeks!

    1. Those doors are simply amazing. I am truly in awe at the concerted effort that went into this schoolwide project. And the joy and creativity of everyone! I wish I was there in person to visit every single door.

  3. Thanks so much for sharing your poem, Laura! It was delicious 🙂 I’m so looking forward to reading Lullaby and Sweet Kisses. The picture of Annabelle is adorable?a really perfect spaghetti photo!

    Landon and I have a new episode today in our A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt series.

  4. Thanks so much for sharing your poem, Laura! It was delicious 🙂 I’m so looking forward to reading Lullaby and Sweet Kisses. The picture of Annabelle is adorable?a really perfect spaghetti photo!

    Landon and I have a new episode today in our A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt series.

  5. I love your slurpy spaghetti poem and its perfect toddler finale! Lullaby and Kisses Sweet looks like a treasure. Thanks for hosting today.

    2. Hi Buffy–I feel stupid, but I wasn’t sure what was expected at your line, since your description was to annotate your poem, but I didn’t see any other sort of notes on it… Anyway, I’m going to respond here instead–hope that’s ok! I love your gargoyle poem. Haunting and heartfelt. “from deep in her stone-hearted chest.” Sigh. So lovely! Have you read Dav Pilkey’s GOD BLESS THE GARGOYLES? It’s one of my all-time favorite picture books, and this pairs with that so beautifully. And congratulations! You are the ultimate authlete:>)

      1. Now I’m feeling a little clueless! I saw that Ed posted an annotated version of the last round of March Madness because he was trying out some kind of annotation software–is that what you meant? Anyway, thank you for your kind words about my gargoyle poem. I did not know about Dav Pilkey’s book, but will look for it! A few people have suggested that I try to expand that poem into a picture book. My initial attempt didn’t work–I’m not sure the poem wants to be any longer–but maybe I’ll try again.

        1. I just meant that your Mr. Linky description was “Experiment: Annotate the #MMPoetry Finals Poems,” so I thought you were inviting us to do some kind of annotating on your poem. But when I followed the link, there was nothing about annotating–it was just the two final poems. So I thought maybe I was missing something. :>) I hope you like the Pilkey book. It’s gorgeous and haunting. I adore it.

          1. I think Mr. Linky has a mind of his own. The only place I saw the stuff about experiment/annotate was on Facebook–and I didn’t reply/reblog/post it anywhere! Sorry if I inadvertently caused confusion. I just read the preview of the Pilkey gargoyle book on amazon. Will have to find it at the library!

          2. No problem! Mr. Linky just picks up the post’s metadata, I guess, and if you don’t notice/edit it, it might no longer be accurate:>)

  6. I love your slurpy spaghetti poem and its perfect toddler finale! Lullaby and Kisses Sweet looks like a treasure. Thanks for hosting today.

    2. Hi Buffy–I feel stupid, but I wasn’t sure what was expected at your line, since your description was to annotate your poem, but I didn’t see any other sort of notes on it… Anyway, I’m going to respond here instead–hope that’s ok! I love your gargoyle poem. Haunting and heartfelt. “from deep in her stone-hearted chest.” Sigh. So lovely! Have you read Dav Pilkey’s GOD BLESS THE GARGOYLES? It’s one of my all-time favorite picture books, and this pairs with that so beautifully. And congratulations! You are the ultimate authlete:>)

      1. Now I’m feeling a little clueless! I saw that Ed posted an annotated version of the last round of March Madness because he was trying out some kind of annotation software–is that what you meant? Anyway, thank you for your kind words about my gargoyle poem. I did not know about Dav Pilkey’s book, but will look for it! A few people have suggested that I try to expand that poem into a picture book. My initial attempt didn’t work–I’m not sure the poem wants to be any longer–but maybe I’ll try again.

        1. I just meant that your Mr. Linky description was “Experiment: Annotate the #MMPoetry Finals Poems,” so I thought you were inviting us to do some kind of annotating on your poem. But when I followed the link, there was nothing about annotating–it was just the two final poems. So I thought maybe I was missing something. :>) I hope you like the Pilkey book. It’s gorgeous and haunting. I adore it.

          1. I think Mr. Linky has a mind of his own. The only place I saw the stuff about experiment/annotate was on Facebook–and I didn’t reply/reblog/post it anywhere! Sorry if I inadvertently caused confusion. I just read the preview of the Pilkey gargoyle book on amazon. Will have to find it at the library!

          2. No problem! Mr. Linky just picks up the post’s metadata, I guess, and if you don’t notice/edit it, it might no longer be accurate:>)

  7. Your poem is from my favorite section of the book (which is adorable through and through). 🙂

    At Alphabet Soup I have a review and author chat with Deborah Ruddell (The Popcorn Astronauts). My link goes live Friday at 6 a.m.

    Thanks for hosting this week!

  8. Your poem is from my favorite section of the book (which is adorable through and through). 🙂

    At Alphabet Soup I have a review and author chat with Deborah Ruddell (The Popcorn Astronauts). My link goes live Friday at 6 a.m.

    Thanks for hosting this week!

  9. Hi Laura,

    Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday during National Poetry Month. Great job on your Spaghetti poem! I love it and the photo of your adorable daughter. You?re so right about sharing life experiences to connect children with poems.

    This week I?m sharing a quick review and poem in two voices from the verse novel BLUE BIRDS by Caroline Starr Rose and also am giving away my ARC of this terrific book to one lucky US winner.

    Thanks again!

    Tamera

  10. Hi Laura,

    Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday during National Poetry Month. Great job on your Spaghetti poem! I love it and the photo of your adorable daughter. You?re so right about sharing life experiences to connect children with poems.

    This week I?m sharing a quick review and poem in two voices from the verse novel BLUE BIRDS by Caroline Starr Rose and also am giving away my ARC of this terrific book to one lucky US winner.

    Thanks again!

    Tamera

  13. Thanks for hosting roundup, Laura! I think what you’re doing for teachers, offering these simple yet effective tips, is so valuable. You do such a good job of taking away the “scary factor” for teachers and making poetry accessible. And you write one heck of a little spaghetti ditty too! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate that. I know some poetry-loving teachers are WAY beyond my little tips, but I meet quite a few who feel inadequate reading poetry aloud. So…these tips.

  14. Thanks for hosting roundup, Laura! I think what you’re doing for teachers, offering these simple yet effective tips, is so valuable. You do such a good job of taking away the “scary factor” for teachers and making poetry accessible. And you write one heck of a little spaghetti ditty too! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate that. I know some poetry-loving teachers are WAY beyond my little tips, but I meet quite a few who feel inadequate reading poetry aloud. So…these tips.

    1. It doesn’t give me an option to do that, April:>( (Which actually makes me nervous, as anybody could post a link to anything…) Does it not show you an X or something when you’re logged in so you can delete it?

    1. It doesn’t give me an option to do that, April:>( (Which actually makes me nervous, as anybody could post a link to anything…) Does it not show you an X or something when you’re logged in so you can delete it?

  19. Thank you for hosting, Laura, and for being the crazy-generous poet/writer/speaker that you are. I was showing LULLABY to someone a week or so ago and they honed in on your poem, which they loved, commenting, “Everyone has a picture of their toddler eating spaghetti like that, right?” Thanks for sharing the photo, too — what a fun mess! (PS — I’ve already given a hefty handful of these books as baby gifts…) ;0)

    1. I JUST got my author copies due to a shipping snafu. My husband was eying them for little nieces and nephews, but we’re going to have to order new copies for them:>) I love your heartfelt Milk poem!

  20. Thank you for hosting, Laura, and for being the crazy-generous poet/writer/speaker that you are. I was showing LULLABY to someone a week or so ago and they honed in on your poem, which they loved, commenting, “Everyone has a picture of their toddler eating spaghetti like that, right?” Thanks for sharing the photo, too — what a fun mess! (PS — I’ve already given a hefty handful of these books as baby gifts…) ;0)

    1. I JUST got my author copies due to a shipping snafu. My husband was eying them for little nieces and nephews, but we’re going to have to order new copies for them:>) I love your heartfelt Milk poem!

  21. Since my granddaughters and I have spaghetti nearly every time they stay with me I think I’d better read them this poem, Laura. I do have two copies of the book & am embarrassed to say I haven’t read it all yet, but bought them for babies on their way. I’ll look for your poem immediately! Thanks for hosting, and for all the tips this month!

    1. Don’t feel bad, Linda. I have several poetry collections/anthologies lying around that I KNOW are fantastic, but I haven’t had the right moment, in the right frame of mind, to get to them yet. So many wonderful books! Happy Poetry Friday!

  22. Since my granddaughters and I have spaghetti nearly every time they stay with me I think I’d better read them this poem, Laura. I do have two copies of the book & am embarrassed to say I haven’t read it all yet, but bought them for babies on their way. I’ll look for your poem immediately! Thanks for hosting, and for all the tips this month!

    1. Don’t feel bad, Linda. I have several poetry collections/anthologies lying around that I KNOW are fantastic, but I haven’t had the right moment, in the right frame of mind, to get to them yet. So many wonderful books! Happy Poetry Friday!

  25. Thanks for hosting, Laura! I’ve been enjoying your tips, although I haven’t had a chance to leave many comments. And your poem is one of the most playful in the book!

    Today I set aside children’s poetry in favor of a senryu, my latest. Have a great Friday!

    1. Thanks, Matt. Looking forward to your senryu as I visit links:>) Your First Tooth poem is so fun. I love that last line! Thanks for your rock adjectives, too!

  26. Thanks for hosting, Laura! I’ve been enjoying your tips, although I haven’t had a chance to leave many comments. And your poem is one of the most playful in the book!

    Today I set aside children’s poetry in favor of a senryu, my latest. Have a great Friday!

    1. Thanks, Matt. Looking forward to your senryu as I visit links:>) Your First Tooth poem is so fun. I love that last line! Thanks for your rock adjectives, too!

  27. Laura, I, too, love this squishy huggable book, and your poem is adorable and full of truth! Thank you for sharing your great tips all month — it’s such a helpful series. Happy Poetry Friday! xo, a.

  28. Laura, I, too, love this squishy huggable book, and your poem is adorable and full of truth! Thank you for sharing your great tips all month — it’s such a helpful series. Happy Poetry Friday! xo, a.

  29. Hi Laura, great poem about that pesky pasta we all love that reduces us to children. Today, I have a little ditty about spring on offer. Hope you have a great week! Warmly, Brenda

  30. Hi Laura, great poem about that pesky pasta we all love that reduces us to children. Today, I have a little ditty about spring on offer. Hope you have a great week! Warmly, Brenda

  33. Thanks for hosting, Laura. I love your teacher tip series — so important for taking the scary out of sharing poetry! Your spaghetti poem is … bravissimo!

    Today I have an interview and poetry video with the inimitable Nikki Grimes!

    1. Thanks, Renee–yeah, I’m aiming these at the non-performers like me. Have you done a set of advanced tips for more theatrical readers?

  34. Thanks for hosting, Laura. I love your teacher tip series — so important for taking the scary out of sharing poetry! Your spaghetti poem is … bravissimo!

    Today I have an interview and poetry video with the inimitable Nikki Grimes!

    1. Thanks, Renee–yeah, I’m aiming these at the non-performers like me. Have you done a set of advanced tips for more theatrical readers?

  35. Laura,
    The spaghetti poem is such a fun view of the way babies and toddlers eat. It brings back wonderful memories and will be a great starting point for a classroom or family conversation on childhood. Your tip is a non-threatening entry for teachers interested in exploring the art. My hope was to have Winter Whispering Gallery up and running today but the stomach bug still has me under the weather and slow going. The family is wanting a day trip so my Poetry Friday offering will be delayed. Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday today.

  36. Laura,
    The spaghetti poem is such a fun view of the way babies and toddlers eat. It brings back wonderful memories and will be a great starting point for a classroom or family conversation on childhood. Your tip is a non-threatening entry for teachers interested in exploring the art. My hope was to have Winter Whispering Gallery up and running today but the stomach bug still has me under the weather and slow going. The family is wanting a day trip so my Poetry Friday offering will be delayed. Thank you for hosting Poetry Friday today.

  37. Thank you for hosting today! I’m on the road, but sharing a poem by D.H. Lawrence on the subject of spring, something that hasn’t appeared in this part of NY yet. My mother is hopeful and so I am I. Luckily, Virginia began to bloom on Easter weekend.

    I haven’t picked up this latest anthology, and now that I’ve seen your fun poem, I can’t wait to read it!

    1. Thanks, Tricia–and we just had snow this morning here. Though the sun has briefly come out, and I see it melted away while I was in the shower. Safe travels!

  38. Thank you for hosting today! I’m on the road, but sharing a poem by D.H. Lawrence on the subject of spring, something that hasn’t appeared in this part of NY yet. My mother is hopeful and so I am I. Luckily, Virginia began to bloom on Easter weekend.

    I haven’t picked up this latest anthology, and now that I’ve seen your fun poem, I can’t wait to read it!

    1. Thanks, Tricia–and we just had snow this morning here. Though the sun has briefly come out, and I see it melted away while I was in the shower. Safe travels!

    1. Thanks, JoAnn. And fun! I haven’t had a chance to read through my copy yet–must go look for my TA friends’ poems!

    1. Thanks, JoAnn. And fun! I haven’t had a chance to read through my copy yet–must go look for my TA friends’ poems!

  41. I think there are now enough spaghetti poems to make a spaghetti poem anthology for 0–99! We needed this one for toddlers, for sure. Thanks for hosting, Laura–I’ll look forward to reaching for all the scooting poetry noodles!

  42. I think there are now enough spaghetti poems to make a spaghetti poem anthology for 0–99! We needed this one for toddlers, for sure. Thanks for hosting, Laura–I’ll look forward to reaching for all the scooting poetry noodles!

  43. Hi, Laura, thanks for hosting and for all your teaching tips– I love this series. Love your Spaghetti poem for LULLABIES too– such a delightful book. Hope April is not making you too crazy!
    Sylvia

  44. Hi, Laura, thanks for hosting and for all your teaching tips– I love this series. Love your Spaghetti poem for LULLABIES too– such a delightful book. Hope April is not making you too crazy!
    Sylvia

  45. Laura, I love your spaghetti poem and that book does indeed look ultra-cute!

    And I love your real-life stories and ways of helping kids connect to poetry. Your ideas complement my poem today, which was inspired by Michael Rosen’s recent piece in The Guardian, “Dear Ms. Morgan: Your guidance is a mini-syllabus on how to wreck poetry.”

    Thanks for hosting!

  46. Laura, I love your spaghetti poem and that book does indeed look ultra-cute!

    And I love your real-life stories and ways of helping kids connect to poetry. Your ideas complement my poem today, which was inspired by Michael Rosen’s recent piece in The Guardian, “Dear Ms. Morgan: Your guidance is a mini-syllabus on how to wreck poetry.”

    Thanks for hosting!

  47. I’m in love with Lullaby and Kisses Sweet! It’s such a nice idea, reading poetry to babies! I’m happy to say that this is my first Poetry Friday Roundup and wish I’d found you all sooner! Apparently I don’t get out much!

  48. I’m in love with Lullaby and Kisses Sweet! It’s such a nice idea, reading poetry to babies! I’m happy to say that this is my first Poetry Friday Roundup and wish I’d found you all sooner! Apparently I don’t get out much!

  49. Thanks for hosting this week, Laura. I love your series of tips for teachers and finally got to see Lullaby and Sweet Kisses last week. I’m in late with a sorry excuse for why I didn’t write my Poetry Friday Post, but I couldn’t help it. I was bewitched by poetry books, and their call was stronger than the call to write.

  50. Thanks for hosting this week, Laura. I love your series of tips for teachers and finally got to see Lullaby and Sweet Kisses last week. I’m in late with a sorry excuse for why I didn’t write my Poetry Friday Post, but I couldn’t help it. I was bewitched by poetry books, and their call was stronger than the call to write.

  51. Laura,
    Such a fun poem to read — and to see. Something about all of those o’s reminds me of spaghetti noodles. You definitely have captured the challenge of spaghetti here!

    Thanks for hosting.
    Cathy

  52. Laura,
    Such a fun poem to read — and to see. Something about all of those o’s reminds me of spaghetti noodles. You definitely have captured the challenge of spaghetti here!

    Thanks for hosting.
    Cathy

    1. Thanks, Jan–that pic does bring back fun memories! Robyn Hood Black had the April 17 Roundup, so that’s where you’d want to change your oopsy-doop link:>)

    1. Thanks, Jan–that pic does bring back fun memories! Robyn Hood Black had the April 17 Roundup, so that’s where you’d want to change your oopsy-doop link:>)

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