NOTE: This Friday (Apr. 16) morning, Irene Latham and Vikram Madan and I will be presenting about poetry at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival! Virtual event all week–tix free. More info at https://www.usm.edu/childrens-book-festival/index.php
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
For National Poetry Month 2021, I’m posting an equation poem each day. Maybe with an image, maybe without. I needed something very accessible and doable this year! Maybe you feel the same way? I’d love for you to join me, and here are several options for sharing your own or your students’ equation poems:
- in the comments below
- on social media with #EquationPoem–and be sure to tag me, please! (@LauraPSalas on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook)
- on the Padlet on my bookpage here
Here’s today’s equation poem. My “wonder boards” beside my treadmill desk usually feature a little collection of images I like and perhaps a few poems or photos. Right now, though, I have a delightful collection of poetry postcards, origami hearts, letters on leaves, paper collages, a poetry calendar, and other treasures sent by friends. What a delight and a comfort to go to the mailbox and find love outnumbering bills, ads, and junk mail. Thank you, friends, some of whom are in the Poetry Friday community and might read this post!
And if you love equation poems, check out my Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations, published by Charlesbridge and with gorgeous art by Micha Archer.
And for a treasure chest of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with artful blogger Jama Rattigan!
Happy poeming!
P.S. Click here if you want to see all of this month’s equation poems!
P.P.S. If you like these, you might also love This Plus That, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace, and Mathematickles, by Betsy Franco and Steve Salerno.
30 Responses
I signed up and hope I can tune in to your workshop tomorrow. I am loving your equation poems. My students and I wrote some this week. Sharing them on my blog: https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2021/04/15/poetry-friday-equation-poems/ and on their kidblog: https://kidblog.org/class/gt-allstars/posts
I’m glad I came to your blog today — I had never heard of an equation poem before and the one you have shared is delightful! I’m going to have to explore more now. It’s a reminder of the power of simplicity in poetry. How so much meaning can be conveyed in so few words. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Erica! I’m so glad you stopped by :>)
I’ve been following your equation poems, Laura, and trying some out myself. Having lots of fun. Hope to pop in to the Book Festival session this morning.
Ah yes, those lovely love mailbox notes. Actually so much rarer now, right?
Snow bits + Blossoms = Spring shivers
Yes, it is raining and there is some snow about. And yesterday the forsythia and pink blossoms on my street exploded between my 9am departure and 1pm return. Going to trek out soon to see how they are faring, once I put on my boots, slicker and umbrella hat. Such a sight. Even the birds are still singing though.…..
There is something magical about snow and flowers together. Kinda like your earlier one that had…frosted tulips? No, that wasn’t it. But another mix of ice and flowers. Love it!
Janet, spring shivers is a perfect solution. I love your poem.
Lucky girl — to have such a treasure chest of inspiration flooding your mailbox. Hope you’re enjoying the book festival. 🙂
Anonymous is me, Jama. 🙂
What fun, Laura! I’m really enjoying your equation poems!
Yes, there are few things that make a mailbox a treasure chest like receiving not circulars but actual post cards!
Yes, it is a treasure in the mail, Laura. Hope the morning went well!
Treasure chest, indeed! This community brings the joy, doesn’t it? Thank you, Laura! Enjoyed our time together this morning so much! xo
Laura, this equation poem is so beautifully rendered with a wonderful muted image. Have you been using Waterlogue and Mobile Monet to create your digital art and/or another app?
Laura, I have been so busy with the house and appointments that I totally forgot about this morning’s workshop. I am sure it was wonderful.
Unfortunately, there’s still no Waterlogue for Android. I use Simply Watercolor for the watercolor effect and then Canva to put the words in. (Canva is mostly what I use for graphics.)
I do not know the app Simply Watercolor so I am going to check it out. I know you have been using Canva with much success. Thanks, Laura.
Oh, I love this one! A full mailbox is my favorite thing! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Indeed a treasure chest! As was your session this morning–so many wonderful ideas.
Laura, thank you for another fun little poem and the artwork that goes with it. Thank you, also, for a wonderful session yesterday. It was informational, fun, and–most of all–inspiring!
I just posted this on Twitter for you: Branches+Leaves=Shade. Love this project and your book.
Thanks, Janice!
I think your equation poems are so much fun — and just perfect for kids and classrooms. (And big kids, too.????)
Agreed!
Yes to a “treasure chest” a perfect equation poem and full to the brim with goodness! Hope the talk went well, I teach in the mornings, but look forward to hearing you in the future, thanks!
My students and I have been LOVING your equation poems all month!
Kindergarten + ZOOM = haiku magic, Laura. My remote Kindergarten poets have been trying their hand at haiku this week with great success. And, of course, Snowman-Cold=Puddle has been a favorite read aloud, yet again. One of my students, in a recent How-to Book he wrote about getting ready for bed, included an image equation poem — me + pajamas = bedtime!
Oh, I LOVE that! Thanks, Christie!
Laura, I love your treasure chest equation. Your wonder board sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing and your inspiration.
dawn + singing cardinal = joy
Beautiful, Gail!