A Read Aloud for Earth
by Amy LV
Students - I believe in science, and today's poem was inspired by the activism of so many young people raising their voices for our planet and today, speaking out and striking in over 1500 events across the world. Sixteen-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg is in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize for her climate change activism, and Poetry Friday host Heidi teaches us all about this issue today at her blog my juicy little universe.
From Twitter
Sometimes writing grows from a belief held by a writer. I hold the belief that we ought to care for this beautiful blue and green ball, and I am grateful for those who help us learn how to take care of it. To write this poem, I did a little bit of research at NASA's Climate Kids and at the David Suzuki Foundation.
What do you believe is important? What are you willing to stand up for? These thoughts are always excellent writing wells from which to draw. Small can be strong. Never forget this.
Many of these displayed poems were written by Michelle Layer's fifth grade class, and they kindly put them together for me to share with you here. Note how these writers experimented with different writing styles, even finding the idea to craft like/dislike poems when they read my likes and dislikes. These poets, their teacher, and I had a little chat at the end of the day and, too, a glorious group hug. Thank you to each one, and thank you to their wise, caring teacher, Michelle Layer, for sharing their words with me...and with all of us.
Please feel free to enlarge these Slides presentations if you wish to see the poems - and graphics - larger.
Again, many thank yous to these generous (and so sweet!) poets.
It is a pleasure to host teacher and writer Brett Vogelsinger over at my other blog, Sharing Our Notebooks, this month. Please drop by to read his post about notebook poetry drafting...and to be entered into a cool notebook giveaway as well.
Again, thank you to Heidi who is hosting today's Poetry Friday #youthclimatestrike roundup over at my juicy little universe, a post full of truth, wisdom, inspiration, and action. Please know that the Poetry Friday community shares poems and poemlove each week, and everyone is invited to visit, comment, and post. And if you have a blog, we welcome you to link right in with us.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
The rhythm of your list in stanza two makes the point that lots of small actions add up. "You matter. I will not pretend that my actions don't." YES.
ReplyDeleteHi dear Amy - I learned much at Juicy Little Universe with Heidi Mordhorst's teaching, followed links, resolved even more about Actions. Your just-yesterday-arriving little me song poem "Oh, Earth" is right on the mark. So many tiny but big steps to take, with nearly every breath. And people are making the right moves, led by Ms. Greta Thunberg & her generation. Encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI luv the vibrancy your Clarence Center Elementary young poets.
Love your poem and adorable drawing, Amy!!
ReplyDeleteYour list of actions in your poem are great, Amy. I read of the honor for Greta Thunberg. That is a wonderful thing for her and hopefully for our earth. You're lucky to have those school visits and to inspire so many poets. They shared some special ones with and for you! Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteI can only hope that future generations will hold our planet in gentler hands than we have.
ReplyDeleteEach little thing adds up and matters. I love the rhythm of your poem and the practical suggestions it offers readers.
ReplyDeleteAmy. I like the way you opened your poem was wonderful-through the eyes of a child with a commitment, a promise. The ideas are short and doable. It was also fun to read through the children's poems. I am rereading With My Hands now and really love how you created such a wonderful flow of poems.
ReplyDeleteThe bees and the polar bears are in the house again! (Did you see Tabatha's post?) What I like about this poem is how it covers all the bases and addresses the issue but without scaremongering (which I don't think the littles are *uite ready for, not can they really grasp, although https://twitter.com/thetinydiplomat?lang=en, who spoke at our DC Strike yesterday)while giving the positive steps that should be standard. Thanks for nailing it, again!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I love this because it gives voice to our youngest for such a big and old problem.
ReplyDeleteNot only are kids small but strong, I believe that every small action we take is strong. We are working toward a way-less-plastic household. We are eating less meat and keeping the thermostat low in the winter and high in the summer. Every little bit we do counts, just like your poem says!
ReplyDeleteI love that your poem empowers children with concrete examples of what they can do... so, so much! And I also love what Michelle Layer's class has done with those slide presentations. Fabulous!
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