“Silver Seeds” is a book of Acrostic poetry. It took me on a journey from dawn until nightfall – the routine of a day and the enjoyment of nature. My favorite Acrostic was “Shadow”. I love the thought of your shadow being a “friend holding onto our heels”. The richness of the language and word choice, even though it is simple words. This short book reveals the power of language. “Hummingbird” also was personal to me. I love watching the little birds dart to and fro while “sipping nectar”. Watching them outside my window made this poem very personal.
Wow, from the very first page of “African Acrostics: A word in edgeways” you are introduced to Acrostic poetry. Automatically you are invited in as a reader and writer. This would be an EXCELLENT way to show students about this type of poetry.
Always Needing a Good Excuse to Lay Around and do Nothing!All students also are fond of animals, especially those that are wild. This is another key that would hook the students in. I love how that the author doesn’t just use the names of the animals, but yet you learn about them through the words that were chose to describe the animals. For example, Harley uses the words “Cloud Friends” to describe Giraffes. Also in this book, there is more information about Acrostics and different ways to present them. The “Cross Acrostic” would be a challenge for our young writers. I like how in the Acrostics, the “letters help you choose” – this is from the Acrostic using the word Acrostic.
Exposing students to this type of poetry will allow them to play with all kinds of language. They can take any object or word and turn it into an Acrostic. When I was a student, I was taught the misconception that I could only use one word per letter. This is not the case. I can use one word or I can use a phrase. I can really see myself using this type of poetry in my classroom.
Whether sharing with primary, upper grades, or even high school students the framework still remains. Expose students to rich poetry (“marinate them”), demonstrate, and then turn them loose. The cross curricular connections in the Article and “African Acrostics” were a great eye opener that allows students to share information in a more creative way, instead of just writing a research paper or answering questions about a topic. Students have to carefully chose their words through the guidance of the topic.
“Flicker Flash” a book of Concrete poetry. When I was young, Concrete poetry was one form that I remember trying to write, but this book brought out a whole new light for this type of poetry. The way the words lay on the page, the colors, the shapes, and the word choice were all key in making this poetry work. Words faded or changed colors; font sizes also changed. The unique ways that language was chosen. All of the words described everyday things. Students of all ages can relate to these poems. I was totally sucked into this and found it entertaining, as well as educating. This book shared how far the sun is away, about Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison, so this could span and be shared across the curriculum. I found myself wanting to share these poems with my students. This is something that could be shared as a whole or in parts.
As much as I like Concrete poetry, I don’t see myself using this form as much as I would the Acrostic. However, students who are very artistic, would LOVE the challenge of making words into a picture. I definitely see myself sharing this type of poetry and even struggling through (because it is good for my students to see me struggle as a writer) writing a poem like this.
