Let’s Get It Started!

I’m ready to go! The Slice of Life Story Challenge ended yesterday, and it’s time to start posting Tuesday Slice of Life writing today. I’m going to attempt more poetry this month to celebrate National Poetry Month. What a great day to start — April Fool’s Day!

Anna’s post talked about immersion as a great way to begin a poetry unit. Students can enjoy the writing and then start asking themselves, “What does the author want me to feel and think?” I loved the poem I wrote for the SOLSC in March when I stole from a Ralph Fletcher mentor text — first line and last line — and then made the rest my own. I think that my students will be amazed at how thoughtful and poetic they can be when they have a place to start.  We are going to try it! Tomorrow is my scheduled “weird day” (we have computer lab and other things to do outside of the classroom), so we will have time to explore some poetry. It’s going to be a great month!

After reading a plethora of April Fool’s Day stories and poems, I thought I would begin by trying to capture a classroom, Kenn Nesbitt-style. (inspiration from “April Fool’s Day,” 2007, by Kenn Nesbitt)

                    Dolly put a spider in the teacher’s left desk drawer.

                    David emptied trash cans, then shot baskets, yelling, “Score!”

                    Andre found out Lily couldn’t take it any-more.

                    He told the teacher, “April Fool’s!” then rolled, laughing, on the floor.

I cannot believe I wasn’t caught today in an April Fool’s prank! I’m relieved I can take tonight to reminisce and regain strength for tomorrow, when somebody will probably remember to “get me.” Happy Poetry Month! Happy April Fool’s Day!