Being a Remote Learning Academy teacher is a non-stop life lesson in letting go of what's not important right now, or what's overwhelming right now, or what just won't work through a screen. On the flipside, it is also a non-stop life lesson in holding tightly to all the things that are most important.
Read aloud is one of those most important things for sure. The workshop model, too. I'm kinda sorta making workshop work. Word Game Wednesday is alive and thriving. And I've managed to bring back Poetry Friday.
I gave my students a slide show filled with some of my photos for inspiration. We started with 15 Words or Less and Haiku. Five students have poems they're willing to share today. I copied their slides into a Poetry Friday slide show, and today after we share, I'll offer a new challenge: write a Nonet.
Here is the Nonet I wrote as their mentor text:
Puff
of wish,
globe of stars,
summer snowflake,
granny in the grass.
Some say you are a weed,
but to me you are magic.
Even though I blow you to bits,
you never hold a grudge -- you spread joy.
Mary Lee Hahn, 2020
(Hat tip to Amy LV for the inspiration for the line "granny in the grass.")
Tabatha has this week's Poetry Friday roundup at The Opposite of Indifference.
LOVE your nonnet! Glad you are finding certain lessons successful via remote learning.
ReplyDeleteYour dandelion nonnet is dandie, Mary Lee. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this Nonet, Mary Lee! You've inspired me to try one, too!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this. Dandelions are my all time favorite flower and not a weed to me as well. Thank you for sharing Mary Lee!
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ReplyDeleteI love all of this Mary Lee. I especially like your Nonet poem. Lucky students to have you at the helm. I am curious about the Amy LV granny in the grass line (love it) and also curious about Word Game Wednesday. I am with you on Read Aloud and Workshop and all the important work we can do with kids now and keep them happy (as in happy learners who want to keep learning.....) Janet Clare F.
I'd like to borrow your nonet for a Poetry Friday with my kiddos. I'm holding on and my students seem to look forward to each day.
ReplyDeleteA bit of dandelion delight in your words Mary Lee. Love that you are preserving or quarantining time for what matters. All through our teaching, we must continually evaluate and prioritize what is essential. It remains an important process. You have made it a winner for your students.
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, I must commend you for making learning fun for your students amidst so many disconnects. A nonet challenge is a good one. I do like a good nonet and your nonet is full of surprise. "Even though I blow you to bits,
ReplyDeleteyou never hold a grudge -- you spread joy."
Oh, this is good! The syllable count is perfect and the descriptions of the dandelion are wonderful. I especially love 'granny in the grass' Ha! True and fresh and new.
ReplyDeleteNonet notwithstanding this is a very fine poem of address--dandelions really are so relatable, aren't they? And so forgiving when we blow them to bits (although that is part of their magic: they trick us into doing their work of spreading the joy). I can feel how hard you are making the best of it, ML.
ReplyDeletelovely to hear about those good parts happening, Mary Lee. I'm glad you can still read wonderful books aloud to students, letting them explore new ideas even online! It's a lovely nonet, ever special is a poem about dandelion wishing.
ReplyDeleteBravo for all the teaching tasks you have met, undaunted! I love the challenges you have offered, and the nonet is wonderful, and so fun to write! Best to you...
ReplyDeleteObviously, some good luck dandelion dust circled back to you, Ms. Teacher Extraordinaire, as you (unsurprisingly) make your way through unchartered waters with creativity and care. Brava to you and all of you teachers!!! (Enjoyed your lovely poem.)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is students, teachers, parents... we're all on the learning curve together. Love your nonet, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteI love a nonet, and I love yours, Mary Lee - ADORE "granny in the grass," it's an absolute gem of a line! How fabulously you worked it here. Love the fun in your lines of blowing the old dandelion to bits, and then thinking how it never holds a grudge, but only spreads joy. This is truth. Can I just say another truth is the vital importance of the read-aloud. One well-done is a theatrical performance, spreading the joy of reading as much as that dandelion fluff. I've been trying to keep things simple for the screen, trying and scrapping what doesn't work, like you. Good thing kids are so forgiving - but I hold onto a few moments for read-aloud, always. Joy to you in the week ahead - and thank you for this treasure!
ReplyDeleteTerrific word choices, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous, Mary Lee! I love what I call renaming poems--a list of other ways to identify/call something. And yours in nonet form flows so smoothly and naturally. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I love "granny in the grass"
ReplyDelete"Granny in the grass" -- I wonder how she feels when some kid comes along and blows her white wig off!
ReplyDeleteYour nonet is wonderful, Mary Lee, filled with such great word choice and imagery. "Puff/of wish" is perfect! I loved the peek into your "classroom" life (how I wish I could see Word Game Wednesday in action!) and notice that you have a lot in common with the dandelion: Even now, while gale winds tug at you, you're spreading joy!
ReplyDeleteSo good. I love that you have been able to preserve so many of the things you love (and find essential) in your online teaching. I feel I've lost so much of my important things this year. My class time is cut in half, for one thing. :-( Thanks for inspiring me!
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