| Hello fabulous teachers!
I'm so glad you're introducing poetry to your students and giving them an opportunity to become poets themselves. You might want to check out the "poetry starters" (writing exercises) inspired by poems in my two poetry collections. Click on either book jacket below or visit Teacher Features on this site.
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Here are some favorite tips from my "Inside a Poet's Mind" program.
HOW TO WRITE A POEM
Step 1: Choose your topic
Step 2: Brainstorm about your topic – details,
details!
Step 3: Choose a form/kind of poem to try (or
just start writing)
Step 4: Write a rough draft
Remember to use your 5 senses when you brainstorm!
Good ideas first, then play with rhyme if you want to.
REVISION CHECKLIST
• Improve
word choices
• Strengthen
verbs / action words
• Delete
unnecessary words (does it look like a poem?)
• Play
with line breaks and punctuation
• How
does it sound out loud?
Consider consulting a thesaurus or rhyming dictionary.
Pair up with a friend and trade poems. Read their poem aloud back to them. Think of one thing you like about the poem and tell the poet.
If you are interested in an author visit or Skype or videoconference of my "Inside a Poet's Mind" program, please visit the Author Visits page of this site.
MOTIVATE YOUR POETS TO WRITE
Here's a list of ways teachers have encouraged their poets to focus on and finish their writing:
• "Publish" poems by typing the final version and posting it in the hallway -- with or without original illustrations
• Create a book of original poetry to take home and/or display in the hallway (Favorite poems by other poets could be included.)
• Plan a "coffeehouse" (OK, cookies and hot chocolate). Invite other classes or parents. Students could recite a poem of their own, as well as one they select by a published poet.
• Include a poem (student or published) during morning announcements over the school intercom. Maybe every Friday during National Poetry Month (April)?
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More poetry fun
One of my poems was reillustrated and animated for the PBS Show, "Between the Lions." To view it, click on this link http://pbskids.org/lions/videos/poems.html and click on "Doggy Days." There are other animated poems written by other poets to discover there as well.
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