Big Book of Poems Contents
Instruction in Climb Inside a Poem is organized around 29 poems by acclaimed children’s authors. (listed in order of appearance)
- Where Do I Find Poetry? by Georgia Heard
- Sky Wish by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
- Happy Toes by Pat Mora
- Dear Friend in the Desert by Kristine O’Connell George
- Tooth Truth by Lee Bennett Hopkins
- Quack, Quack by Pat Mora
- Why? Why? Why? by Lee Bennett Hopkins
- Who’s Coming to Tea? by Jane Yolen
- Making Soup by Marilyn Singer
- How I Hopscotch by Kristine O’Connell George
- When I Ride My Bike by Patricia Hubbell
- School Bus Lady by J. Patrick Lewis
- Poem for My Friend by Patricia Hubbell
- Best Friend by Marilyn Singer
- Birthday Candles by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
- Song for My Swing by Patricia Hubbell
- The Stray Dog by Alice Schertle
- Puppy Love by Jane Yolen
- Just Like Grandpa by Alice Schertle
- Happy Teeth by J. Patrick Lewis
- The Cedar Tree by Joseph Bruchac
- Laundromat by X. J. Kennedy
- Emma by Janet Wong
- Spring Riddles by Beverly McLoughland
- Sun and Moon: A Poem for Two Voices by Bobbi Katz
- Singing Down the Sun by Marilyn Singer
- Hey, Crow! by Deborah Chandra
- Hidden Treasure by Bobbi Katz
- Night Story by Beverly McLoughland
Lesson Book Contents
In this book of lessons, you'll find suggestions for ways to work with every poem in the big book for five to ten minutes per day over the course of one week.
- On Mondays, the activity ideas are meant to help introduce the poem to children;
- On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the activity ideas are meant to support children in exploring the poem in more depth;
- On Thursdays, the activities help children get to know the poet and the poet's body of work; and
- On Fridays, the activities are designed to help children focus on the poet's crafting moves.
Each lesson also provides their respective poem in a reproducible format and includes a "Responding to the Poem" page with space to share thoughts about the poem.
PLUS: At the end of the lesson book, in the "Poet Profiles" section you'll find more about the featured poets, including photographs, biographical information, and some "poet-to-poet" advice they offer us for our young poets.
Reading and Writing Poetry Across the Year Contents
The guide Reading and Writing Poetry Across the Year takes a broad view of poetry and considers how poems can be used to reinforce and extend a literacy curriculum. Organized into three separate sections, the minilessons in this guide:
- offer tips for outfitting and organizing classrooms where poetry can flourish,
- highlight a variety of reading strategies that immerse children in the words and music of poetry,
- present a complete unit of study for writing poetry.
Contents
Introduction to Reading and Writing Poetry Across the Year
PART ONE: Creating a Poetry-Rich Environment
Introduction
- Noticing Poetry in What We Say
- Noticing Poetry in What We Read
- Collecting Amazing Words
- Playing with Rhyming Words
- Playing with Alliterative Words
- Sharing Favorite Poems
- Finding Inspiration Through a Window
- Finding Inspiration from Natural Objects
- Finding Inspiration on a Walk
- Finding Inspiration in Poetry Itself
- Finding Inspiration in Our Hearts
- Finding Inspiration Around the Classroom
PART TWO: Reading Poetry
Introduction to Reading Poetry
Section 1: Reading Poetry Aloud to Children
- Beginning the Day
- Pledging for the World
- Easing Transitions
- Setting Out for Lunch
- Celebrating Occasions
- Welcoming People
- Setting a Tone
- Closing the Day
Section 2: Supporting Children in Reading Poetry Aloud
- Reading Line Breaks
- Interpreting the Poem's Sound
- Finding Reading Signals from the Page
PART THREE: Writing Poetry
Introduction: Essentials for Launching a Poetry Writing Unit
Section 1: Inspiration
- What Do We Know About Poetry?
- Advice from Our Favorite Poets
- Listening for Songs from Our Hearts
- Seeing with Poet's Eyes
- Finding Poems in Small, Ordinary Things
- Finding Poems in Feelings
- Finding Poems in Natural Beauty
- Modeling Writing
Section 2: Craft
- Metaphor and Simile: "The sky is an angel's pool."
- Wonderful Words: "Let the rain kiss you."
- Imagery: "Do you feel the golden glow?"
- Rhythm, Repetition, and Rhyme: Musical Tools
- Lines and Stanzas: "Poems are shaped like tall buildings."
Section 3: New Forms
- Poems for Two Voices
- List Poems
- Personification Poems
- Letter Poems
Section 4: Revision
- Adding Stanzas
- Listening Carefully
- Ending Lines: "Don't leave the door wide open!"
- Titles: Labels and Beyond
Reflecting and Celebrating
Bibliography