Welcome to Day 8 of Wallow in Wonder! For my 2016 National Poetry Month project, I will celebrate learning and writing from learning, writing poems from each daily Wonder at Wonderopolis. As I did with my Dictionary Hike in 2012, I am looking to surprise myself with new inspiration daily. This year, such inspiration will show up in my inbox each morning. I will print it and carry each Wonderopolis Wonder around all day...and in the afternoon or evening, I will write and post the poem for the next day.
I invite anyone who wishes to take this challenge too. Just read today's wonder over at Wonderopolis, and write a poem inspired by it for tomorrow. Share it tomorrow at your own site, and if you wish to link in my comments for others to find (or share your poem there), please feel free to do so tomorrow, the day after the Wonder is published at Wonderopolis. If you would like to share any ways you have used Wallow in Wonder or your own site (safe for children only please), please link to the #WallowInWonder padlet.
My April Poems Thus Far
April 1 - So Suddenly - a poem inspired by Wonder #1659
April 2 - Thankful Journal - a poem inspired by Wonder #1660
April 3 - The Storm Chaser - a poem inspired by Wonder #779
April 4 - A Jar of Glitter - a poem inspired by Wonder #641
April 5 - To Make Compost - a poem inspired by Wonder #1661
April 6 - Deciding Now - a poem inspired by Wonder #1662
April 7 - Hummingbird's Secret - a poem inspired by Wonder #1663
And now for Day 8!
Thinking First
by Amy LV
Students - I value kindness more than anything else. And even though this is true, sometimes I say mean things. But poetry helps me be kinder, and so do songs. Sometimes I think that poems and songs are like little kindness limit signs for me, just like in the picture you see above.
Writing can sometimes help us remember who we want to be. I want to be kinder. What do you want to be? You may wish to write about that thing. Not only will it be interesting writing; it may help you reach your own goal.
Today's poem does rhyme. What do you notice about the rhyming words in this one? And meter-wise, some of you may notice that the last line has many fewer syllables than the others. Why do you think so?
My friend Barry Lane writes many beautiful songs about kindness, and sometimes I am lucky enough to work with him on bits and pieces of them. Teachers - if you are interested in teaching about good character from a pro-kindness standpoint rather than an anti-bullying standpoint, read Barry's teacher book about working and teaching toward kindness, FORCE FIELD FOR GOOD.
One of my favorite songs from this album is "Sammy Miller." You can listen to it below.
Remember - words change us. And words change the people around us too. We make our own limits.
Today's poem may be partly inspired by Deciding Now from two days ago. There are times when my writing keeps me on a theme for a bit. We will see if this continues.
You can read another poem inspired by Wonder #1664 if you visit Wonder Lead Ambassador, literacy advocate, teacher, and writer Paul Hankins at his Wonder Ground blog where he, too, is writing daily poems from Wonderopolis wonders. He and I are in this together daily and some other writers are joining in on the fun sometimes too. All are welcome to wonder through poems with us.
Today, should you leave a comment, you will be entered into a giveaway generously offered by Barry Lane - 3 Barry CDs to one winner, and I will draw the name on Sunday evening. Please be sure to leave a way to contact you. Thank you, Barry!
I am so happy to be hosting middle school teacher and librarian Stefanie Cole and her students from Ontario, Canada to Sharing Our Notebooks this month. Do not miss this post; it is full of notebook inspiration, a video clip, and a great book giveaway from Stefanie.
Today's Poetry Friday fiesta (all are always welcome!) is over at Laura's place, Writing the World for Kids. Have fun over there!
Happy Day 8 of National Poetry Month 2016!
Please share a comment below if you wish.
This is EXACTLY the poem my students need today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. Yes.
ReplyDeleteKindness rocks.
This is a great poem. Each morning I send out a poem to everyone in our school. (I work at a primary school that is K-4 to 2nd grade) I just had to send this to them to share with classes and for themselves. Thanks for the great thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem, Amy! I agree that we need more kindness in the world. I've been reading, but today I decided to jump in and write a poem. Something about those speed limits gave me an idea I just couldn't shake.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mentortextswithlynneandrose.com/blogging-with-rose/the-reading-race
"Let words of love echo through our tears." Kids were harsh when I was young. "He didn't wear the normal clothes. " That's a beautiful song. I like the violin solos in it. Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your poem, we can always be kinder, even when we have kind hearts.
I wish I could be a better me, too. :-)
Oh, Amy. This is a treasure. That hushed and hymnlike final line...mmmm.
ReplyDeleteFabulous poem, Amy. I agree with the sentiment - but so well told, too.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI shared the CD I won earlier with a counselor friend. I will check in with her and see how she's enjoying it. Because I've won before, please omit me from the drawing. I'll send a link to this post to my friend who I'm sure will appreciate your poem about being kinder. Thanks for all you do, Amy.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of kindness over anti bullying and your poem has much power in the words. Thank you for the poem and the message.
Your beautiful poem is "a handy reminder" we all can use: Be kinder. Thank you for spreading your kindness, Amy!
ReplyDeleteReading your post today, I clicked over to make sure my comment had posted and I don't see it. Not sure if you got it, so here I am again. I posted the Barry Lane song for my kids to listen to this week. What a touching song. I'm a fan of violins! We cannot get enough reminders to be kind.
ReplyDeleteI love the inspiration of using Wonder Wonderopolis so creatively. Thank you for sharing the idea, as well as your generated writings. Twitter handle: @elarockstar
ReplyDeleteI commented maybe on FB about this! I love your poem. I love this idea and thought we should have it be a law, then realized that might be hard to enforce!! In my classroom I had some procedures, but my "rules" were called "The Three Keys to Success" : Be nice (kind is better), Work hard, Help others (everyone is better) and you needed to do it 24/7. I would look at people who were successful and we showed how you needed all three, really, to be successful and who defines success though, right? Happiness, fulfillment of at least some of your dreams. I hope this poem gets a wide read!!!
ReplyDelete"Poetry helps me be kinder, and so do songs." Thanks for this lovely poem! I think it could easily be set to music.
ReplyDelete