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Enclosure [15 words or less poems]
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)! It’s another pic from the Walker Art Center’s Outdoor Sculpture Garden. This image makes me think of: 1) a gigantic spiderweb 2) a gerbil in a gerbil ball 3) an alligator caught in a fishing net And here’s my?first draft. Wrapped mutant
Solid Gold Sounds, by Laura Purdie Salas
Today’s poem from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, Fairy Tale Garage Sale, comes from the Ogre’s wife. They have a very traditional marriage, and she’s the one who has to do all the grocery shopping:>) Note from the Poet: When poets work on meter, we use symbols like this: -/–/–/–/ Each
Fee-Fie-Foe-Fairian: Surprise! I’m Vegetarian!, by Laura Purdie Salas
Today’s poem from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, Fairy Tale Garage Sale, comes from the Giant. Note from the Poet: Sometimes, I just have a gross sense of humor, and that’s what I’m showcasing in this poem. Can you imagine if a vicious giant had to stop eating meat? I love
Jack and the Beanstalk poem, by Laura Purdie Salas
Hi, teachers! This week, I’m sharing poems from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, Fairy Tale Garage Sale. The book includes 7 fairy tales, each with an introductory poem and three poems from characters selling junk they don’t want/need anymore. I’m going to share the Jack and the Beanstalk set this week. Note
poetryaction to Winter Bees
Happy Poetry Friday! Don’t miss Joyce Sidman’s wonderful new collection! For ?more poetry fun, visit the Poetry Friday Roundup at Diane’s Random Noodling!
Leaping Hare [15 words or less poems]
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)! I took this pic at the Walker Art Center’s Outdoor Sculpture Garden on my birthday. It’s been years since I’ve been there! This image makes me think of: 1) a classic “Once upon a time” story 2) rabbits that do agility courses
poetryaction to Number One Sam
—————————————————————————————————————————– Poetryaction: After reading a picture book, sometimes I jot down a quick poem based on something in the book. It could be inspired by the entire book, the setting, a character, or even just a tiny detail in a picture or a single phrase from the text. I’m using picture books as
poetryaction to Peggy: A Brave Chicken on a Big Adventure
—————————————————————————————————————————– Poetryaction: After reading a picture book, sometimes I jot down a quick poem based on something in the book. It could be inspired by the entire book, the setting, a character, or even just a tiny detail in a picture or a single phrase from the text. I’m using picture books as a
poetryaction to Dinosaur vs. School, by Bob Shea
I’ve been around those kids who take over a room with explosive voices and actions, and so I was totally sympathizing with the nervous classmates in Dinosaur vs. School, by Bob Shea. —————————————————————————————————————————– I’ve been doing something new. After reading a picture book, sometimes I jot down a quick poem based on something
My Little Free Library
I wanted to share some pictures from the process of my family putting together my Little Free Library birthday present:>) It’s one of the best presents I’ve ever gotten! Thank you to my thoughtful and talented family:>)
Scary Hands [15 words or less poems]
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)! Usually, I post my own pics, but it’s almost Halloween, and I like this kinda creepy hand picture. This image makes me think of: 1) a scary funhouse 2) a cross between a demon and a bull 3) shadow puppets And here’s
A scary poem video for K‑4
I love scary books and poems (and movies, even though I cover my eyes a lot during them). Here’s a cheesy video of me reading my poem “Midnight,” from a jack-o-lantern’s point of view. Midnight See my spooky, blank eyes staring? Like the crooked teeth I’m baring? Feel my wicked candle flaring? Am I smiling?
poetryaction to The Flat Rabbit, by Bardur Oskarsson
To say that The Flat Rabbit, by?Bardur Oskarsson, is an odd picture book is an understatement, since it’s about a rabbit that is…roadkill. Ugh. But, somehow, this ends up being a kind of sad, beautiful statement on life and what we do for each other, even those we don’t know that well.?Here’s my poetryaction for
School Library Journal Summit
I had a great time at the School Library Journal Summit in St. Paul, MN yesterday. Thought I would share just a few highlights. Click on any of the photos above to see my photo album of 15 pictures on Facebook (you don’t have to have a FB account to view). A few highlights: My
poetryaction to Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep
Happy Poetry Friday! I’m sharing another poetryaction today. I sometimes have trouble sleeping. Lately, my back has been aching–I don’t know why. Long car trips to blame? Anyway, I felt bad for Barney Saltzberg’s Chengdu and wrote this cinquain in his honor. Here I am reading my poem: [soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/173369541” params=“color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /]
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Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms