InkSlinger - Learning Writing & Appreciation Through Poetry Curriculum Connections
• Use the stanza or line to create another poem.
NCTE/IRA English Language Arts standards
Activity #3
Essential Question
• Have students close their eyes and ask them to stand in front of any tree they wish, real or fictional. Ask them to stand close to the tree, so they can see the detail of the bark.
Why is nature important? How far do you have to go from your house to be in nature? Do you have a little bit of nature in your house—flowers, plants, an aquarium? Do you garden in the summer?
Activity #1
• Quickly and without thinking too hard about it, have students write down three things they love about nature. Then have them write down three things that really scare them about nature. • Have students take all six of those elements and create any kind of poem they want from them. Ask them to explore how the things they don’t like might be essential to the balance of nature. Does it help them find appreciation for the things they don’t like?
Activity #2 • Have students find their favorite stanza or line from one of the four nature poems below.
• Guide students to enter the tree, and become the tree. Ask them to breathe in through their leaves, way up in the sky, and breathe out through their roots, deep in the Earth. Ask them to notice how it feels to be a tree. Have them reverse their breathing, so that they breathe in through their roots, tasting the minerals of the Earth, and breathe out through their leaves, waving at the birds. • When they are ready, ask students to step out of the tree, and open their eyes. Have them write freeverse poetry for 5-10 minutes about their experience as a tree. Encourage them to include as much detail as possible of their experience! ★★ Submit reflections, stories and poems to KidzEra for possible publication! Be sure to include the submission form with student submissions.
Backyard
Become the Earth
When I’m outside I hear the breeze, Whistling in the trees, Flowers standing tall and straight like Soldiers marching in the grass; I feel the warmth from the sun.
Feel the fragile, aqua waters of the Earth, with comforting delight, Listen to the soft, light clouds of the Earth with peaceful love, Inhale the shimmering sunset of the Earth with calm relaxation, Taste the sweet, crystal roses of the Earth with exquisite belief; Then, you will become the Earth.
I fly on the swings like a bird in the sky, Running on the dry green grass, as fast as lightning, Patting the grass down with my feet, Climbing the ladder of the slide And sliding down a long, yellow snake.
Become the Earth poem submitted by: Elaine K., Age 11, A.P. Giannini Middle School, San Francisco, CA
Sand in the sandbox, touching my fingers, Making castles big and small, And feeling the sand in my toes. The birds sing a sweet melody; I’ll never go inside. Backyard poem submitted by: Jenna B., Age 11, Robert Frost Middle School, Deer Park, NY
The River Slowly swirling, each river leading to another, Transporting items back and forth. Gently flowing, down a hill, Eroding earth, while it trickles down. It’s suddenly faster, rushing like a flock of birds, Crashing on rocks, but keeps on going. Now the journey is at an end, The flowing water reached its stop: The vast blue ocean. The River poem submitted by: Laurence R.., Age 11, Weston Middle School, Weston, CT
Three Seasons of Day Morning comes, The smell of fresh rain born from the clouds, Fog smothering the lake and silhouetting the damp grass. The crystal-like dew gracefully slides down the pink petunias, Sparrows chirp at the sight of the sun fighting against the fog. Afternoon sneaks past, Golden leaves dance to the ground, The gentle pitter-patter of the rain cascading across the lake, The smell of pollen tickling my nose, The sun warm against my face. Night draws closer, Black waves crash against the shore, The willow tree shakes violently back and forth, Angry gods smash into the earth, creating thunder, And hail beats to the ground. The reflection of the silver moon shines against the water peacefully; My bed waits. Three Seasons of Day poem submitted by: Linnea U., Age 12, Lakeside Middle School, Issaquah, WA
Flower art submitted by: Isabella V., Age 12, Holy Family School, San Jose, CA