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poetryaction for Caminar
I don’t usually remember specific plot points of books. Instead, I tend to remember flashes of small moments, images that, if a book is really powerful, come back to mind at seemingly random times. Caminar, which I just read, and Red Midnight, which I read quite a few years ago, both have scenes that
poetryaction to Sometimes You Barf
Happy Poetry Friday! Maybe you overindulged yesterday and can relate to this book. I personally have a brickle hangover. And Captain Jack got sick yesterday and guess who was on clean-up duty. Yup, me. Ugh. Anyway… We’ve all been the kid or sat next to the kid or been teaching the kid who barfed
Tights [15 words or less poems] and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas if you celebrate Christmas. And whether you do or don’t, I’m glad you’re here! Our day has turned a little topsy-turvy, and I don’t know whether I’ll be able to stop back in later or not, but I’ll try. I hope you have a joyful time, whatever your day holds! And if you
poetryaction for Circle, Square, Moose
They’re back! I loved Zebra and Moose in Z Is for Moose, and now they’re back in another 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
poetryaction and bookalikes for Big Bug
I love books that give me a new perspective, that help me see the bigger picture–and both Big Bug and Me and My Place in Space (an older favorite of mine) do that! —————————————————————————————————————————– Poetryaction: After reading a picture book, sometimes I jot down a quick poem based on something in the book. It
Happy Holidays and poetryaction to Camp Rex
Good morning, my wonderful kidlit community. I feel like we are a beautiful forest, stronger because we grow together. Thank you for being part of my kidlit world:>) And now, for today’s Kidlit Combos: I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo! is a wonderful rhyming picture book. So much fun! And a great pairing with Camp
poetryactions for Moonlight and It Is Night
Happy Poetry Friday! I’ve been to DC for NCTE and to Florida to visit family in the past month, which makes me feel a little discombobulated. The art in these picture books makes me feel like I’m home and all is right with the world. Here I am reading this poetryaction: [soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/182100168” params=“color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=“100%”
Charmed [15 words or less poems]
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)! Look at the beautiful bracelet Heidi Mordhorst gave me at NCTE. Aren’t totally unexpected gifts just the best. I don’t have the packaging with me as I write this, but it’s an Alex and Ani bracelet that I think means passion, leadership,
poetryaction for The Baby Tree
The Baby Tree is a funny and clever picture book, but somehow when I wrote my poetryaction, my first draft (and, for these poetryactions, I usually only do one draft, or maybe a quick second one) came out kind of creepy. I felt like a cannibal describing a crop of babies. So I had to
Lionesses: Girrrrrrrrl Power! A Need to Feed Poem
Hi teachers! Here’s one more poem from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, A Need to Feed: Poems of Predators and Prey. This is the last one I’m sharing–at least for now. I hope you’ve enjoyed them! Note: Lionesses do most of the hunting for a pride of lions. They usually hunt in groups
Hickory Dickory Dance: A Need to Feed Poem
Hi teachers! Here’s another poem from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, A Need to Feed: Poems of Predators and Prey. Note: Chimpanzees like to poke anthills and termite mounds with a stick (from an arrowwood plant, not a hickory tree!). Ants run up the stick, and the chimpanzees slurp them right off! A
Wolf: Death Dance [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! I’m in Florida visiting family for a few days, and I’m a bit out of the loop–but I’m glad you’re here! Here’s another poem from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, A Need to Feed: Poems of Predators and Prey. Note: In the Arctic tundra, wolves chase huge caribou herds across
Crabby [15 words or less poems]
Wake up your poetry brains with 15 Words or Less (guidelines here)! Saw this display while grocery shopping (OK, it was really just a donut run) earlier this week. This image makes me think of: 1) crabgrass–hahaha! 2) barbed wire 3) coat of armor And here’s my?first draft. I did a cinquain this week.
Reading=Victory! Actors and Athletes Aren’t the Only Stars
I wish our culture celebrated reading and book-makers in the same way that it does sports and movies. So, I decided to celebrate us myself! At NCTE, I took some pictures of folks mimicking the poses of sports stars and award-winning actors. Some were enthusiastic–thank you, Leslie Bulion for being my first guinea pig and
Brotherly Love: A Need to Feed Poem
I’m going to share a few poems this week and next from my new 30 Painless Classroom Poems book, A Need to Feed: Poems of Predators and Prey. They may be a little too bloodthirsty for some of you, especially in this lovely holiday season. :>) But for the rest of you, I hope you
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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