Poetry

Poetry

Kiddo! provides a poetry program for all 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. You would be surprised at the imaginative, thoughtful, and articulate ways young minds can express themselves. As poet and poetry teacher Karen Benke tells us, “Poetry helps us peel back the layers of our lives and look at the ordinary in a way we haven’t before.” After reading poetry their children have written, parents are often surprised at the depth of emotion and ideas found there. Read on, and you’ll see what we’re talking about…

Blooming

Little diamonds
in the
grasslands
growing
on
gold stems
shining
in the
light of
day.

CHINA, 3rd Grade
Old Mill School
Denise Strecker, Classroom Teacher
Sasha Eakle, Poet Teacher

My hands

Can draw animals.
My hands
Can write poems.
My hands
Can do push ups.
My hands
Can tickle
My dad.
My hands
Can climb
Mountains.

MICHAEL, 1st grade
Strawberry Point School
Jan Bolgla, Classroom Teacher
Sasha Eakle, Poetry Teacher

Loud And Quiet

When a jackhammer sings its
Bone rattle song, it’s loud.
When a snake coils with icy confidence,
Poised ready to spring, it’s quiet.
When a battle drum is pounded,
Yelling a pang of fear, it’s loud.
When an entire football stadium holds its breath,
Waiting to see if the kick is good, it’s quiet.
When a fire crackles and snaps in
Burning rage, it’s loud.
When a lonely, forgotten balloon drifts
On a high blue breeze, it’s quiet.

Silence is the absence of sound,
And thus it never is.

JESSE, Sixth Grade
Mill Valley Middle School
Rod Septka, Classroom Teacher
Michele Rivers, Poet-Teacher