Established in 2001, Jazz Appreciation Month celebrates the rich history, present accolades, and future growth of jazz music. Spanning the blues, ragtime, dixieland, bebop, swing, soul, and instrumentals, there's no surprise that jazz music has endured the test of time from its early origins amongst African-American slaves in the late 19th century to its growth today.
The post A Jazz Appreciation Month Playlist appeared first on OUPblog.
Readers! Spring is here! If you are anything like me-you have a ton of books on your shelves. How often do you get to dive into them? I strongly suggest that you get ready for summer reading and summer giving early. You might be wondering how...I'll tell you. Grab 2 boxes or bins. Mark one: "Donations" and mark the other one "To Read List". Take a look at items that you have read a ton of times that no longer belong on your shelf and make plans to donate to a library, a school or a community group. The other one is your start to getting your summer reading goals met. Spring cleaning can be fun. -Read something great
April is National Poetry Month. With so many forms of poetry to explore and share with students, what will you choose?
Here are 4 ideas for using mentor texts to guide students in poetry study.
Additional bonus: a letter to teachers from author and poet, Pat Mora, on the power of poetry.
Poem type: FOUND POETRY
Mentor Text: Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet
Activity with students: Students select words and phrases from a primary text and use those words to create their own unique poems.
As “Primary Sources + Found Poetry = Celebrate Poetry Month” suggests, the Library of Congress proposes an innovative way to combine poetry and nonfiction. Teaching With The Library of Congress recently re-posted the Found Poetry Primary Source Set that “supports students in honing their reading and historical comprehension skills by creating poetry based upon informational text and images.” Students will study primary source documents, pull words and phrases that show the central idea, and then use those pieces to create their own poems.
This project not only enables teachers to identify whether a student grasps a central idea of a text, but also encourages students to interact with primary sources in much the same way as Etched In Clay’s Andrea Cheng. When researching Dave’s life and drawing inspiration for her verses, Andrea Cheng integrated the small pieces of evidence of Dave’s life, including poems on his pots and the bills of sale.
Lee & Low teacher’s guide
Poem type: HAIKU
Mentor Text: Cool Melons—Turn to Frogs! The Life and Poems of Issa
Activity with students: Students write haiku using sensory language and drawing inspiration from body movement, music, and art to create their own haiku.
Check out the classroom-tested, standards-aligned lesson plan Experiencing Haiku Through Mindfulness, Movement & Music by Rashna Wadia with Cool Melons— Turn to Frogs! provided by ReadWriteThink.org, a website developed by the International Literacy Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.
Additional resources:
Lee & Low teacher’s guide
Poem type: CONCRETE OR SHAPE POETRY
Mentor Text: Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building
Activity with students: Students choose a building to describe in a poem and shape the poem to look like the building.
In Reading is Fundamental’s educator activity guide for, Dreaming Up, encourage students to try the writing activity “Shape It Up:” Let students pick a type of building and write a poem describing that building (how it looks, its purpose, etc). Students should write their poems on white paper in the shape of the building and decorate the background. (RIF)
Lee & Low teacher’s guide
Poem type: NARRATIVE POETRY
Mentor Text: Chess Rumble
Activity with students: Students compare narrative and lyric poetry and write their own narrative poem based on real or imagined experiences or events.
Check out the research-based novel study unit for Chess Rumble created by the staff at the award-winning, non-profit ReadWorks.org. Students will compare the story elements of Chess Rumble to Where the Sidewalk Ends and Keeping the Night Watch.
Next, students write their unique narrative poem—for tips “by youth for youth” check out How to Write a Narrative Poem from Power Poetry.
Further reading on using poetry in the classroom:
What are your favorite poems to enjoy in the classroom? Share with us!
Jill Eisenberg, our Senior Literacy Expert, began her career teaching English as a Foreign Language to second through sixth graders in Yilan, Taiwan as a Fulbright Fellow. She went on to become a literacy teacher for third grade in San Jose, CA as a Teach for America corps member. She is certified in Project Glad instruction to promote English language acquisition and academic achievement. In her column she offers teaching and literacy tips for educators.
April has been a busy, crazy, fun, busy, poetical, busy, bunny business month--and it's not over yet.
So before it gets any crazier, I'll share what I've been reading, doing, writing...
Who says libraries are just for books? Not the Lorain, Ohio children's librarians! They are encouraging kids to explore their creative side in fashions with "
Sew Lorain Kids." A long time ago I worked in a couple of libraries in the Cleveland area. I'm so glad to see that the librarians there are continuing to be innovative. There are so many great craft how-to books in libraries, but why not give kids a chance to actually put the lessons into practice. My hats off to all of you in Lorain!!!
I've been working on a variety of writing projects--one of them is an easy reader narrative nonfiction book on stars. So I was delighted to see a new book by Kathleen T. Isaacs which highlights picture books dealing with nature:
BUGS, BOGS, BATS, AND BOOKS. Young readers--as well as their parents--often need help in finding age-appropriate books on various nonfiction subjects. This title also including science activities relating to various topics in the book. Look for this book at the library or ask your librarian to help you find some delightful nonfiction books to share with your children.
Kuddos to another librarian--this time with the focus on poetry. Thinking totally outside of the norm, Cathy Jo Nelson, a South Carolina educator, blogs about "
The Unexpected Perks of Poetry." She and a teacher collaborated on a poetry assignment--encouraging the students to create poems from words in book titles:
spine poetry. Ms. Nelson elaborates in her blog about the many bonuses of this activity for both students and faculty. Poetry always seems to expand the world for us.
I'm writing the rough draft of chapter book with a poetic ghost in it. Although the story didn't start out with a lyrical ghost, she just appeared out of thin air--so to speak. And who am I to tell her that she doesn't belong in this story. I might be haunted for eternity...so I continue writing.
Apparently April is also NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH. Although I was unaware of this, I have been reading some humorous picture books of late. A couple of favorites are
CREEPY CARROTS by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown. Here is a video by the illustrator explaining how he
envisioned the sneaky carrots. My two-year-old grandson loves this books. We've read it over and over again. I've even made him his own creepy carrots with real carrots and a black sharpie. Beware biting into that next crispy, orange carrot! There may be many more lurking in the shadows--just waiting to pounce!!!
The other fun picture I've been studying of late is
WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam. The author uses the "what if" storyline to create an elaborate beach day fantasy complete with fire-breathing dragon. And the illustrator brings the creature to life with humor and charm, sure to entertain children of all ages. But of course, there is the dilemma--once a dragon moves in how do you get him to move out??? Rather like the moles in my backyard, I'm afraid. :)
So here's hoping April is poetically humorous--and beware of carrot-eating dragons, or something like that!
poem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I reached the finish line today of this year’s annual Poem-A-Day Challenge, hosted by Robert Lee Brewer of Writer’s Digest’s Poetic Asides.
Three days spent out in the wilds of the north country near the Canadian border has advantages. The wilds had a cook shack with great food, live entertainment, plenty of friendly folk to keep a body moving and interacting, learning and taking away new experiences and perspectives. It also had nighttime freezing temps, daily sunshine, sprinkles when relaxation was needed, and a small-town parade with all the usual trimmings.
While out there on the high plateau, I kept thinking about poetry and what I’d take away from the Rendezvous that I could use later for either verse or prose. I’d met unique people with otherwise long-lost talents, children who could defend themselves without anger or cook over an open fire without complaint. I’d seen crafts that rivaled any in a museum anywhere. And best of all, I came home knowing that I will go back next year for a repeat.
The PAD challenge continued without me, but I’ve managed to put together something for each of the days missed. I hope you enjoy these small offerings and that you’ll continue to return to this blog after this challenge ends. I have a new, improved blog for the end of the week, with new pages to visit and things to see. Until then, daily posts will continue.
Now, on to poetry.
Day 27 Prompt: “The Trouble is (blank)” Fill in blank, make it the title, and write poem.
The Trouble is Time Bending
Arbitrary limits,
On something non-existent,
Takes no talent, no finess.
Limiting nothing takes
More than care,
Requiring belief
That increments from
One mind equal
Production possibilities.
How can seconds become
Minutes or hours, when
Only days/nights exist in time?
Does breathing count
As a measuring stick, or pulse,
When clocks don’t function?
© Claudette J. Young 2012
Day 28 Prompt: Write a problem poem.
What Price Time
Forcing life into minutes and hours,
Taking life from the living,
Becoming machines, wound up
For the pleasure of someone else.
Can we not function except to
Sweep hands and crystal faces?
Are we mindless with this labyrinth,
Marking existence with clicks and clangs?
© Claudette J. Young 2012
Day 29 Prompt: Take a favorite line from an earlier poem this month, and rework it into a new poem.
Prayers Danced in Circles
Call forth with drum and song
Answers from Creator’s hand.
Step live
A happy Easter weekend to you all!
Hello, everyone. I apologize for not checking in earlier thisweek. Between singing in LDS General Conference over the weekend and doingdress rehearsals for “The Secret Garden” at the Hale Center Theater Orem, I’vebeen pretty booked. It was a bit of a rough start for the first part of Aprilas far as writing goes, but I made up for it with a good writing day yesterday.
Here’s a few announcements:
I’m going to be in Ephraim Utah at the “Write Here in Ephraim”event, teaching my class on avoiding cliché and signing books. It will be heldmost of the day on Saturday April 14th at Snow College, so stop byif you are in the area.
All the submissions for my Christmas anthology are in and thereare great things in store. I have an editor and a cover artist on board and I’mready to go. One of my favorites is a historical fiction piece that centersaround the legend of Good King Wenceslas. Look for that and more this holiday season. (Sounds like I need a movie trailer voicethere.)
If you’d like to see me and many other wonderful actors andactress’s in “The Secret Garden” you can get your tickets online at http://www.haletheater.org. The firstperformances start April 13th and the show runs all the way untilJune 2nd. I will be performing every Monday, Wednesday and Fridaynight as well as some of the Saturday matinees. (I’ll post those later). Ihighly recommend you come see this one. It not only has incredible music, but atimeless and touching story that will stay with you long after the show isover.
Also don’t forget to check out my web serials to which I havecontributed.
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To show your true colors…You have to come out of your shell!
A little bit of spring on your desktop… right click and save!
Happy April!
….. and please feel free to comment, I like to know you’re out there! :)
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on 3/28/2012
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April will soon control the calendar and some writers’ lives—at least for 30 days. The favorite month of Parisians will take on a poetic ring on many websites across the globe. April is National Poetry Month, giving poets of every stripe impetus to fling words to passersby at every opportunity.
Robert Brewer’s Poetic Asides, an uncommonly good poetry blog operated through Writer’s Digest, issues a challenge each year to poets. The poets are set the task of creating a poem per day to a specific writing prompt. Many manage to post several poems per day, escalating the tension for others to “try to match this” on the blog.
Oddly enough, camaraderie is the norm here, with poets commenting on each other’s efforts, supporting and encouraging rather than critiquing. “The Street,” as the blog is known by regular contributors, fosters its patrons as community members with something to say and value to add to the whole. Not many blogs can claim that ability.
Along the same lines, other poetry blogs across cyberville also have their own challenges on a regular basis and will be cranking up the thermostat to get words on the screen and rhyme into the heart.
One of these sites is Poetic Bloomings, operated by Marie Elena Good and Walt Wojtanik. This daily blog has much to offer both poet and reader. Sunday’s writing prompt challenge might visual, emotional, or situational. It could be fiction/non-fiction. Each day has purpose and is filled with contributor participation. It’s a marvelous site all around.
Whether you wander over to The River or go to see the Sea Giraffes, you’ll find poetry everywhere at the click of the mouse. Of course, these sites have poetry all the time, but it gets accentuated at this time of year. Enjoy it.
I’ve chosen to take up Brewer’s gauntlet this time around again. I couldn’t participate last year since I was on the road, but this year will give me a chance to write enough to fill out a nice book of poetry with an eclectic flair, but themed nonetheless. I’m looking forward to it.
Brewer also issued a second challenge this year for those who felt their platforms needed reconstruction work done or those who hadn’t yet built their platforms. It consists of a task per day for the writer to build a viable, effective platform. The goal is a power platform by the end of the month of April.
Yep, you guessed it. I’m signing up for that one, too. Is it just me or does it seem like I just can’t leave a challenge lying on the table without at least giving it a shot? I hate not knowing whether I can do something or not.
Whether April has me showering words across specific blogs or in submissions to publications, I will be part of Ares’ madness come the first. That Fool’s Day could be the beginning of something very good or simply exhausting, but I will learn from it and that’s worth my time.
4 Comments on Whether–April Showers with Words, last added: 3/28/2012
We have FOUR epic giveaways going on this month, book lovers! Check out the epic epicness:
Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive:
- One monogrammed Belador backpack
- One signed copy of BLOOD TRINITY
- One Belador Tshirt (limited edition that can't be purchased)
- One engraved Belador pin
- One Belador post it booklet
- temporary tattoos
- One $25 Amazon gift certificate
Five (5) Runners up will receive:
- One signed copy of BLOOD TRINITY and a Belador full color Tshirt (can't be purchased)
Click here to enter this giveaway!
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Three (3) winners will receive:
- One copy of FALLING UNDER
Click here to enter this giveaway!
Clarity by Kim Harrington
Five (5) winners will receive:
- One copy of CLARITY
Click here to enter this giveaway!
Num8ers 2: The Chaos by Rachel Ward
One (1) winner will receive:
- Copies of NUM8ERS and NUM8ERS: THE CHAOS!
- One Unisex Fossil Watch
Click here to enter this giveaway!
Read Around the World Challenge
April Link-Up
The Details:
- Make sure that before you link-up your reviews, you sign up for the challenge on the challenge post
.
Anyone, even non-bloggers can participate. Open worldwide. If you don’t have a blog, just link to your Amazon, Good Reads or other review posting.Link as many reviews as you’d like throughout the month. Each link to an actual review will earn you an entry in the drawing.March’s Winner: I’m thrilled to tell you that Beth from Library Chicken won the March contest and won a copy of
Show Me How by Vivian Kirkfield.
This month’s prize drawing will be done at 11:59 pm EST on April 30th so you have until that time to make entry/reviews counting for March’s prize drawing.April’s prize: Lucky’s Little Feather
Still working on it... but here's the month of April!
Posted on 3/10/2010
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To get ready for spring and April, National Poetry Month, I thought we should start having some Wacky Wednesday posts about teaching kids poetry. Whether you teach your kids at home or you are a K-12 teacher, your students can benefit from reading and studying poetry. The next two weeks, the Wacky Wednesday posts will target elementary school students, using a book called More Pocket Poems poems selected by Bobbi Katz and illustrated by Deborah Zemke. Then I’ll have a post or two for middle school and high school teachers and home schoolers. So, on to April, poetry month, and looking at poems. . .
Bobbi Katz wrote a poem titled “Put the World in Your Pocket.” In this poem, she talks about how it’s nifty to hold a quarter or key in your pocket, but that a pocket can’t hold really big things like summer, elephants, or the sea. However, and here’s the secret–if those things are in a poem, a pocket sure can hold them! This is the introductory poem in the book More Pocket Poems, and it’s a perfect starting point for teaching kids poetry and doing several poem activities during April, poetry month.
The rest of the book has poems by some very famous poets, and all of this poetry could easily fit in a pocket or two. For example, “March” by Emily Dickinson is included in this book with a cute illustration of hats flying in the wind–did students know they could carry March around with them? There are also “Skeleton Parade” by Jack Prelutsky and “Song of the Witches” from MacBeth by William Shakespeare. Bobbi and the poets take children through the four seasons, and the illustrations add to the poetry fun. Teaching kids poetry with this book might just be e-a-s-y or at least easier.
Once you have shared some poems from this book with your students, ask them to choose a poem either from the book or a favorite. They should copy it down; or if they are too young, you can make a copy for them. Ask them to illustrate it, fold it neatly, and put the poem in their pockets. (Maybe send a note home earlier in the week to make sure students can wear a jacket or pants with a pocket that day if you teach in the classroom–or bring some aprons with pockets in case anyone forgets.) At the end of the day, gather students around or put them into small groups and ask them to take out their pocket poems to share for April, poetry month, activities.
Stay tuned next Wacky Wednesday (3/17) for some poetry writing fun while teaching kids poetry. Also, don’t forget there’s a book giveaway going on this week. See yesterday’s post for a chance to win a copy of Aries Rising, the first book of a new contemporary YA series with some astrology mixed in! Contest goes until Friday at 11:55 p.m. CST.
By:
Sondra Santos LaBrie,
on 3/31/2008
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Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
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Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jane Dyer. Credit for discovering this scrumptious morsel of a book goes to my pal Lisa, who read it, loved it, and knew my kids and I would eat it...
Well done for completing the April PAD Challenge, but you do know that it’s not annual. The whole thing starts again in November! Your break away sound idyllic, by the way. We all need some time like that. Take care, ~Misky xx
Thanks, Misky. I do know about the November run for the poetry finish, but I seldom every finish that one. For some reason, no matter which challenge I go for in that month, I’m always pulled away by an emergency of some kind. I’ve sort of learned not to do that anymore. I’m so glad you enjoyed my little mini-vacation almost as much as I did. You did some great work this month, too, you know.
Well done on the task. Takes some doing to be on the mark every day for one month.
Ah, thank you so much, strihc. There are those days when all I think I’m accomplishing is hitting my head against a very immovable wall. I’m glad none of those showed.
I love that your poems are so evocative of your thoughts — I can definitely relate. Congrats on the completing the challenge!
Joy’s Book Blog
Ah, thanks, Joy. That’s very kind. Yep, that challenge nearly did me in, along with the Platform challenge and a couple of others. I keep trying to convince myself that one is enough, while at the same time hitting the “I’ll do it!” button.