National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month. Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the Texas Library Association Conference and see a lot of new books and meet a few authors! While I was there, I bought the new poetry book by Jeff Foxworthy. While I was gone, you watched the fairy tale "Thumbelina" by Hans Christian Andersen (which is poetry!). You learned the elements contained in most Fairy Tales! (royalty, talking animals, problem/solution, good guy/bad guy, and a little magic)
We have also been studying two of my favorite poets. Last week, we listened to Shel Silverstein read and sing some of his funny poems on his website (link on the left side of this page)!! Some of my favorites were "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me, Too" and "Boa Constrictor"!
This week, we have watched a tape of the great Jack Prelutsky talk about how he gets his ideas for his poems and how many times he has to go back and try to make it perfect. I like his poem about Willie and the worm he eats! Not great to hear right before lunch, though!
Our school is celebrating Poetry in Your Pocket Day on April 24th (actual date is April 30th but some of our students are taking their TAKS test that day!). Make sure you hang on to the poem you copied on your paper. Someone may ask you to read it to them on April 24th!!
My other favorite poet, that we have already talked about, is Dr. Seuss. I could read any of his rhyming stories - anytime!!

Make a poem your SPOT this month!!
Keep Reading :)
Mrs. Duckworth