I teach gifted students in grades Kindergarten through third grade. We celebrate poetry with our own version of Poem In Your Pocket Day. This day originally began in New York City in 2002 and is now celebrated annually in honor of National Poetry Month.
After teaching a reading and writing unit on types of poetry and figurative language, students make a mini booklet of several of their original poems and include a few by favorite poets. Each child is then given a library pocket with a ribbon strung through it. The booklet fits perfectly in this pocket.
On Poem in Your Pocket Day (usually around the 30th of April), students wear their "pockets of poems" all day as we complete many activities. We visit other classrooms to read poetry and pass out shape poem bookmarks. Our principal joins us for a poetry reading and snacks in the classroom. We use sidewalk chalk to write poems outside in common areas. The culminating activity is a balloon launch! Each student is given a balloon with a small poem attached. We discuss where we hope the balloons will land and who will find our poems. Parents assist with activities and needed items. I take many pictures, make a slide show, and post it on my website. It is such a meaningful day that is anticipated each year!
I teach gifted students in grades Kindergarten through third grade. We celebrate poetry with our own version of Poem In Your Pocket Day. This day originally began in New York City in 2002 and is now celebrated annually in honor of National Poetry Month.
After teaching a reading and writing unit on types of poetry and figurative language, students make a mini booklet of several of their original poems and include a few by favorite poets. Each child is then given a library pocket with a ribbon strung through it. The booklet fits perfectly in this pocket.
On Poem in Your Pocket Day (usually around the 30th of April), students wear their "pockets of poems" all day as we complete many activities. We visit other classrooms to read poetry and pass out shape poem bookmarks. Our principal joins us for a poetry reading and snacks in the classroom. We use sidewalk chalk to write poems outside in common areas. The culminating activity is a balloon launch! Each student is given a balloon with a small poem attached. We discuss where we hope the balloons will land and who will find our poems. Parents assist with activities and needed items. I take many pictures, make a slide show, and post it on my website. It is such a meaningful day that is anticipated each year!