Poetry Paws--Module Four

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rogasky, Barbara. 2001. Leaf by leaf: autumn poems. Ill. by Mark Tauss. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN-13: 978-0590253475.

SUMMARY
Leaf by leaf, a anthology of 25 poems and excerpts about the autumn season. This book is for reading grade levels 4-8.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The mood of this book is complex. Some of the poetry is very intelligently written and evokes emotions of peace, love of natural beauty, and sadness. This book has potential appeal to older youth groups to adult. Each poem fills the mind with imagery of realism of the things that happen in the autumn season--from bike-riding, the chore of leave removal, and the unfolding of the earth's natural changes. The beautiful photography lends tremendous support to the text and aids the reader in further visualizing the scenically described poetry of the country as well as the city during autumn. The author celebrates the oncoming of autumn, the loss of summer, and the anticipation of winter through several collected poems.

wild weather

Winter is coming! The wind that blows

Hard from the north, from the land of snows,

Nips the fingers and reddens the nose,

Whips the branches and tugs the clothes

     And strips the tree,

Till nothing is left of her yellow attire;

And hoar frost streaks the choclatey mire,

And crows string like crotchets along the wire,

And wanderers think of home and fire,

     And so do we. 

                        --Shirley Hughes


INTRODUCTION/EXTENSION

This book is can be implemented into the science curriculum as supplementary poetry reading to introduce different poetry styles that celebrate the autumn season.To further engage the student, each student can take pictures of whatever interests them about their favorite season of the year and either write poetry about the picture or collect poetry that best describes the pictures taken. A collage of pictures and poetry can then be displayed in the classroom poetry corner or in a specified poetry corner of the school library.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad. Poetry for Young People: Hughes, Langston. 2006. Ill. by Benny Andrews. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1402718458.

SUMMARY
A book of some of Langston Hughes poetry for young people, typically of ages 9-12. This book introduces the reader to a range of topics: from the social life of the African American during a time of oppression to the musical appreciation of jazz. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This collection of poetry by Langston Hughes is displayed with actual reflections and comments from the poet's life--such things and events that inspired the poem in some way. The book starts with an overview of Langston Hughes biography and with each poem displayed is a life reference from or about Langston Hughes. This element of the book made the poetry come alive in a different way--it gave a better understanding of the poet's perspective. Many a reader will find great appeal in the incorporation of dialect, musical rhythm of jazz/spirituals, and the love of the African American culture that is a specifically unique writing style of Hughes.

The Weary Blues

(excerpt)

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
        I heard a Negro play...
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan---
        "Ain't got nobody in all this world,
             Ain't got nobody but ma self.
             I's gwine to quit ma frownin'
             And put ma troubles on the shelf."


INTRODUCTION/EXTENSION

This book can be an excellent addition to the study of African American social studies as well as supplementary biography about the great poet, Langston Hughes. There are many avenues that can be celebrated and explored with this book. Students can be reminded of the life and times of the 1920s for the African American people. Each child can pick their favorite poem from the book and share it with the class--all the while dressed in costume, mimicking someone that they admired during that time period. A small party with displays of things significant to the 1920s can be displayed throughout the class or library with music of that time also played in the background.

Poetry Paws--Module Three

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, It's Not My Fault. Ill. by John Grandits. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-42833-5.

SUMMARY
This book of concrete poetry is packed full of imaginative poems that will entertain smart-alecks of all ages. There are 28 poems total with each written with the main character, Robert, as the narrator and driver of each poem. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
My first thought about the layout, illustrations, and poem structures was...COOL! This book provides the reader with excellent examples of multiple possibilities of concrete (shape) poem structure. Red, black, and white illustrations lend direction to how the poetry should be read from start to finish. This book has great potential to appeal to the misunderstood geniuses out there in the world. The main character is a boy--expressing his thoughts and antics--from sibling rivalry to challenging adult authority, to which will definitely appeal to boys alike. All children of school age, no matter the gender, can appreciate the commonalities expressed within the poetry of this book. My Stupid Day is one of those gender neutral poems that can appeal to both sexes--as well as all ages. It completely exemplifies the typical rut that we all find ourselves stuck in on a daily basis. This poem would be great when read aloud about three to four times to feel the full effect of the rut. :-)

For a closer view, click pic to enlarge

Introduction: This book is hilarious and would be a great book of concrete poetry to introduce to older school age children--to encourage a love for poetry.

Extension: Have children draw a picture of a favorite toy, item, or symbol that reflects something significant in their past or present. Then, have them construct their own shape poem within their drawing. Expose the children to about two additional concrete poetry books from different authors to compare different styles.



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hauth, Katherine B. 2011. What's for Dinner?: Quirky, Squirmy Poems from the Animal World. Ill. by David Clark. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1570914713.