POETRY PICNIC!

This week in the library, we are having a POETRY PICNIC! There is no food at this picnic, but we are just getting a taste of poetry. The library is set up to look like a picnic and there are about 20 places that kids can choose from--places to try things having to do with poetry. My big goal is to get kids' hands on different types of poetry books and to give them time to explore poetry with friends. Classes come to the library every 4 days and we'll keep the picnic set up for 2 rotations. The library is set up so that students can be independent--with directions at each station inviting them to try some things. Many of the tables are set up with a certain type of poetry for kids to read together or on their own. Below are some of the things kids can choose from:


LIST POETRY
At this table, students can read poems from Georgia Heard's book FALLING DOWN THE PAGE. I have also included skinny strips of paper and pencils at this table so kids can try their own list poetry writing.

POETRY TAG ON THE KINDLE
I love the POETRY TAG TIME kindle book that Mary Lee told me about. Several children's poets got together to play poetry tag and write poetry. One poet began and tagged another. The next poet writes a poem that is connected in some way and tags someone else. Most of our kids don't have any experience with ebook readers so just putting this out to play with has been good.


POETRY ON THE IPODS
I have several song and poetry apps on the ipods. TALES2GO has a poem that kids can listen to. DUCK DUCK MOOSE has several songs, and I just discovered POET KIDS which is like magnetic poetry on the ipod.


POETRY PLACE MATS
I gathered many food poems and food poetry books. At this table, kids can read poems about food and make a place mat. After weaving the place mat, kids then add some food poems to the place mat. Some books at this table are WHAT'S ON THE MENU?, EATS and FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH.


ORIGAMI POETRY
FOLD ME A POEM by Kristine O'Connell George has always been popular in our library. I found directions for making the dog in the book on George's website. At this table, kids can read the poems and make the dog or other items from the book.


SHAPE POEMS
Many kids have never taken the time to look at the great shape poems in books such as DOODLE DANDIES. This table is full of those. I may introduce TAGXEDO this week so that kids can create their own shape poems with this tool.


SONGS
This table includes many song books. A new favorite is IF YOU'RE HOPPY AND YOU KNOW IT. Alan Katz's books such as TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB are also popular. Kids are having a ball finding the accompanying songs on the Internet and playing clapping games with others (such as MISS MARY MACK).

FUN WITH WORDS
One table celebrates playing with words. Included are games such as Bananagrams and Hinky Pinky and books. The books invite kids to play with words in a variety of ways. Some of the favorites are ANIMAL SOUP, MOM AND DAD ARE PALINDROMES and 13 WORDS.

POETRY SPLATTER ON THE SMARTBOARD
I found POETRY SPLATTER on RIF's website. (Thanks, Carol!)  I put this up on the Smartboard and kids are having fun dragging over words to create their own poems.

POETRY WITH FRIENDS 
This table has lots of fun poetry books to read with friends.  The YOU READ TO ME series as well as JOYFUL NOISE are part of this table for kids to read together.

POETRY WEBSITES
Computers are set up for students to explore websites such as GIGGLE POETRY, POETRY4KIDS, and Shel Silverstein's website.

LEMONADE
This table only houses the new poetry book LEMONADE, some magnetic letters, pencils and paper. Students can read and enjoy the poems and also try some of their own scrambled poetry here.

Other spaces include pillows for reading poems by favorite poets, a table with Acrostic and Haiku and a space to try Poetry Riddles.

We are all looking forward to a fun week of poetry!