Happy Poem in Your Pocket Day! For weeks, my students have been reading and writing poetry. Today they chose a favorite to keep in their pocket throughout the day to share with friends, family, teachers and others. Since I challenged them to read their poem to three people outside of our classroom, unsuspecting parents who dropped their second grader off this morning we're quickly surrounded by excited children asking, "Can I read my poem to you?" It's been a wonderful way to start begin our day!
I, too, needed to find a poem to share. I've been following the Gotta Book blog all month as Gregory K. Pincus has posted new poems for his 30 Poets/30 Days celebration of children's poetry. On April 28th I found the poem for my pocket! Written by April Halprin Wayland, it was a great way to send my students off, ready to read their own poems throughout the day.
HOW TO READ A POEM ALOUD
by April Halprin Wayland
First, read the title of the poem
and the poet’s name.
Be clear.
Now completely
disappear.
Let each line
shine.
Then read it
one more time.
When the poem
ends, sigh.
Think about the poet at her desk,
late at night, picking up her pen to write…
and why.
© 2009 April Halprin Wayland. All rights reserved.
