Meredith Hamilton

Lots going on. Too much; most ideas and works are addressed superficially. Interesting choices of works, too... I'm not so sure those are the most interesting for children. I can't see using it in a classroom or even as a family for enrichment. There are so many wonderful art books for kids, I honestly recommend not bothering with this if you have access to a variety of others. I do admit that I didn't read every word, but I certainly did enough to know I'd give it two stars if I had. show more

January 2023 show less

Summary: This is a small collection of thirty poems which are arranged by type - for example, rhyming poems come first (like The Road Not Taken) and then free verse, then limericks, narrative, and so on. Every poem is an introduction to the many types of poetry out there.

Personal Reaction: While I don't like poetry, I really enjoyed this book.I believe that if I had started learning poetry in a small, introductory book like this, rather than just diving in headfirst in middle school, I might show more actually be interested in poetry.

Classroom Extensions:
1. Each week, read a different type of poem from the book, allowing kids to each have their own copy. For every day that week, students will write their own poem of the same type in a journal.

2. At the end of the book, students will break into small groups. Together, they will choose two types of poems. Each group will write at least two poems for each type they pick. For one week, the groups will get together to write their poems. At the end of the week, or the following Monday, students will go to the front of class and recite their poems. To make it more fun, the teacher can bring in a set of bongos and a student from each group can play to the poems. show less

This book shows example of all kinds of poems. There are rhyming poems, free verse, limericks, narrative, concrete, humorous, and Haiku. They are all explained in a few words what they are and how they sound.

A free verse by Langston Hughes called I, Too, Sing America is about a African American eating during slavery and how he wants to be viewed as an equal and an American.

A narrative poem called The Dance of the Thirteen Skeletons by Jack Prelutsky is a long story about 13 skeletons that show more are dancing on their graves in the snow. Its a funny song with plenty of rhythm for children to dance to it.

Personal Reaction:
I loved poetry when I was a child. We read it a lot in school and was assigned to write different types each year. This book is a wonderful way to introduce poetry to the classroom.

Classroom Extensions:
1. Write a class poem.
2. Red a poem and compare the different interpretations the children have. show less

Summery:
This is a short compilation of classic poems, which I found really entertaining.

Personal Reaction:
I never really liked poetry so it was refreshing to just read some poetry for fun!

Classroom Extension:
Read a few classics to the children, and have them write their own poems.
Have the children research famous poets and present to the class.