April 12, 2017
Poetry has never been my favorite. It was something archaic you had to read at school. If it was presented as “Poetry,” I never particularly enjoyed it. I’ve always tried to read more poetry, but it was an effort. Though I love stories, I somehow couldn’t connect to the story in the poems I read.
But it has recently become clear to me that I’ve spent most of my life thinking in poetry...
March 21, 2017
Gene sits down with award-winning YA author Jason Reynolds. They talk about the unusual story structure in All American Boys, the inspiration for the book, and how writing it emerged from a deep friendship (full of “uncomfortable, healthy conversations”) with his co-author, Brendan Kiely. With his book Ghost, Reynolds wanted to explore the whole concept of “running” — and...
July 6, 2015
I’ve been thinking a lot about picture books and why some work and are memorable while others just land with a thud when read. I continue to ask myself what is it about those picture books that resonate with readers and particularly those that can be shared many times between adults and children, delighting both.
Then it occurred to me. The thoughts that follow probably aren’t entirely...
April 8, 2015
In April the nation focuses on artistic expression during National Poetry Month. Listening to poetry is a welcome change of pace when reading print presents barriers to learning. There are many sources of poems available in multiple formats to help educators differentiate poetry instruction. Six follow and previewing always is advised.
180 DaysThe Poetry 180 project at...
March 31, 2015
In honor of National Poetry Month I contacted one of the most prolific and versatile poets and anthologist whose books I’ve long used and admired.
Lee Bennett Hopkins writes original verse and finds other poems about myriad topics and for a broad range of children. You can sample...
November 24, 2014
Teachers were buzzing about and checking out many wonderful books in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Exhibit Hall on Nov. 22. Having so many wonderful books in print to examine was like a picnic for some who browsed and chatted happily at this 2014 annual conference.
A crowd lined up way in advance (like shoppers at Best Buy before a big sale) for the freebie books...
April 24, 2014
April is almost over and with it ends National Poetry Month. What continues, however, is what Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate, said of poetry. It is "… language at its most distilled and most powerful."
Children respond to poetry from early on — and why not? Its sounds, cadence and music are immediate and appealing. Think of Mother Goose and other nursery rhymes. They've been shared...
May 1, 2013
I just LOVE teaching poetry! I try diligently to incorporate it throughout the year at various times for general exposure, and specifically to help my kiddos see that our reading strategies can be used across a wide variety of texts. The writers of the Common Core started including poetry in the majority of the reading standards, so students would have many opportunities to read, decipher and...
April 28, 2010
What fun we had with poetry month this year! At home we resurrected our copy of Joyful Noise and had fun sharing poems about insects. Anna loved the Grasshoppers one the best, mostly because we had a long talk about autumn-laid eggs and the interesting words and images...
July 8, 2009
I was reading a novel last night, a book called Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle (Holt). It's a tough subject even for the target reader (12 years and older) as the title suggests.
The telling, however, is filled with...
June 26, 2009
It's always good to rediscover something, especially if that something slows you down, makes you think, and creates vivid images.
What I've rediscovered is Mary O'Neill's collection of poems about colors, Hailstones and Halibut Bones (Doubleday). Though...
Get the latest blog posts delivered automatically to your web page, blog or e-mail inbox.
