Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
I wanted to give Wealthy Elementary School a small thank you gift for having me spend a week sharing poetry and nonfiction excitement with its students. So, I decided to write a poem. It’s hard to capture how involved and positive, and supportive this school’s community is. These kids are so blessed to be at a school where the administration, staff, and parents all work so closely together to create great learning opportunities for the kids. I’ve never been at a school where all the different factions spoke so highly of each other. And it showed in the attitudes and writing of the students, too.
So, for Wealthy Elementary School, here are some of the things I saw or experienced while I was there. Some are related to teachers, others to students, etc. If you aren’t the principal working on an Aladdin prop for the school musical or the mom who brought me mint tea (twice!) for my sore throat or the teacher who showed me her students’ poetry work…well, you might not recognize every reference. But each little piece adds to what makes your school special. Thanks for having me! Extra special shout-outs to Principal Morey, teachers Kim Doele (the Poetry Pied Piper) and Stacey Goodman, and parents Abbi and Nikki (spelling?)–and all the young writers!
Also, the Sunday night Twitter #istelitchat will be about the Power of Poetry. Hope you can join in!
Finally, head on over to the Poetry Friday Roundup today with Donna at Mainely Write!
What a treasure of a poem you’ve written for them! Love so many parts in it, and I’m sure that they will, too!
Thanks, Donna! I do hope they like it:>)
Laura, I can see that you really enjoyed your week with the Wealthy Elementary Community. The poem is a wonderful tribute for them and your layout was quite attractive. I can’t wait for our chat on Sunday night. Michele and I planned out the chat and created images for each question so it is easily recognizable as a question prompt. Thank you for planning with us to make this chat a reality.
Thanks, Carol! Looking forward to Sunday night–have been thinking hard about the ?s and coming up with things to share:>)
I can’t wait to hear your comments.
Laura, I know that this school will love your poem. What a treasure for them, and keeping the memory of your visit, too. I love ‘brick by dream’.
Don’t know why the comment above is anonymous, but FYI-from me, Laura. Congratulations on a successful week.
Thanks, Linda! I hope every school has teachers who get to experience the kind of atmosphere I did. (But I know most don’t.)
A beautiful tribute to this school! What school can embody all of these amazing things? A gem!
Thanks, Margaret–it really is a gem. Made me miss the classroom:>)
I am in awe of this beautiful poem written in tribute to our school community. It was such a honor to have you at Wealthy Elementary sharing yourself and your work with our students. A copy of this poem would be so amazing to hang in our building! Thank you for taking the time to reflect on your time here.
Thanks, Deanna! I know what an integral role you play in keeping things running smoothly:>) Thanks for your help while I was there.
That’s what all poets try to be, magic carpet weavers. What inspiring images in that poem of celebration.
Isn’t that a lovely metaphor–and a literal truth, in this case. The principal is building this awesome robotic kind of magic carpet prop for their show!
Wow, what a fabulous school that must be. And what a great poem you wrote about your visit.
You do a wonderful job of showing us why that school is a terrific place to learn and grow. I love that such places exist, where people are bucket fillers and respecters of others!
It was like a little magical oasis of some kind!
Beautiful, Laura! What a wonderful place for children to become “big dream believers” and more. It sounds like it was a magical experience for everyone!
Thanks, Catherine:>)
What a tremendously positive experience you’ve had, Laura. I have no doubt you filled up those young minds with poetry LOVE.
I hope so! Thanks, Michelle!
I have read every post about your time at Wealthy Elem. It sounds amazing and I love the activities/lessons that you’ve done with the students.
Your poem is awesome 🙂
Thanks, Penny! They were great to work with.
Fantastic! I love this poem visually and aurally – and for all it says, and what that means. Beautiful!
Aw, thanks:>)
What a wonderful community this school is! Isn’t it wonderful when schools form the community our society needs now.
It really is!
Wealthy School is aptly named! Love the line, “Built brick by dream” – lovely.
Thank you, Bridget:>)