Why do I read business articles? Because they are often the source for amazing ideas to use in the Language Arts classroom.  This Forbes’ article about the Limerick Butler poet Stephen Clare inspired my take on Fresh Poems in the Classroom.

Stephen Clare sets up his typewriter and creates “fresh” poems for people in under 10 minutes.

He requires two things to create poems… a WHAT and a WHO

• WHAT is the topic for the poem?
• WHO is the poem for?

The customer talks to him as he writes. Stephen’s creative process determines the length and the structure of the poem, he lets the poem take the lead.

This magic can happen in the classroom too! Here’s how!

Setting Up This Experience in the Classroom

Immerse students in poetry. Explore many different kinds, not just ones that rhyme.

Here are some handy lists.

30 Books of Poetry for Young Readers

20 Best Poetry Books for Kids

Practice writing poems together as a class. Model first as a teacher (I DO, STUDENTS WATCH), then together as a large group and in small groups (WE DO TOGETHER) and then as individuals (YOU DO ON YOUR OWN).

After writing a few different types of poems, set up students in pairs to write “Fresh Poems”.  Encouraging students to share topics that are meaningful to them and to carefully consider who could the audience of their poem could be. This opens the audience to other students in the class and in the school, in addition to other school staff and to family at home.

However, reality is that writing a poem without scaffolds can be challenging. While some students can listen to another student’s ideas and create a poem, most cannot. Here are some ways to support the student writer of “fresh poems.”

Have poem templates for students to use with prior instruction of how to create with them.  These are the same templates students have explored in class to write poems.

Consider an organizer for holding the ideas of the student “customer”.  One option is to have a paper for students to make a jot list or perhaps a series of boxes on a page for students to create quick drawings with/without words.

If you have access to Google Apps, perhaps have the student “customer” speak into Google Docs using the voice typing feature found on the toolbar under “tools”. The benefit of  voice typing is that the poet can use these captured words, already typed into a doc to create the poem without worrying about the initial step of idea capture.

Finishing ideas can include no tech, meaning hand printed on a page.  It can also be low tech, using a word publishing technology to create a polished poem using typed words and found images. A high tech option would be using BookCreator, to include pictures and words in an eBook format.

Here are some other places online to create or learn how to write poems.

Poster My Wall

Poetry Templates from READWRITETHINK.org

Poetry Templates from Teach-nology

Using Google Slides to Make a Poster

How to Write Free Verse Poetry

Enjoy this process, make tweaks as you find out what works for your students. I think it is important to emphasize the beauty in the personalized gift of writing. Celebrate these newly created poems by bringing in those that are receiving the poems. As an extension, set up a FRESH POEM REQUEST box where students can fill out a form to request a fresh poem. The form should include, the name of the person requesting the poem, the topic for the poem and for who the poem is for.

I look forward to hearing how you used “fresh” poems in your classroom. Please make note in the comment section.

Here’s a bonus for you! I created this Poetry LiveBinder and you might find it helpful as you explore poetry in your classroom.

Until Next Time,

Coach Clark

It was on one of those Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah days…

The kind where you sit down to eat lunch and your lunch partner subtly says something that puts your life back on track.

Yes…a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah-AWESOME day….

I was telling my lunch partner that I was missing my literacy people. I was missing those deep discussions I used to have daily.

She said, “Oh, you just need to find your tribe, again.”

“Oh, OK,” I said pondering that for a quick second.

And then the conversation swung over to This Is US and how much we were not enjoying season 2.

Anyway…I let the idea about “finding a tribe” simmer for a few weeks.

I wondered, “How do I do that?” I knew that it had to be something I created and managed. Something bigger than what I was doing.

A few weeks later…just before Christmas…lightning struck…twice…on the same day.

I was at a Professional Development session, early, because I love that time in the city before everyone is stirring. Besides, I wanted to discuss a project with the presenter.

In conversation…these words she said hit home, “You know…it’s a perfect time for anyone to have their stuff out there.”

Out there! Right! Like I used to be. EVERYWHERE on the net!

Then the other presenter while reflecting on Literacy said, “And we have expertise in the room.” He looked over at me and I thought, true and I had worked hard for that literacy expertise.

Later on at home, I went through my digital past and was reminded of the excitement of being part of something bigger. Something outside the walls of my job. Even when I was in a district position, I was, at one time, beyond those walls too.

Back in 2009 – 2014, I earned a Master’s degree in Education. The focus was on Language Arts with some Library Technology courses. I started a blog and began interacting with classmates. Realizing for the first time that I could write entertaining nonfiction and make people laugh. I continued to blog, engaging with other bloggers and building a literacy brand,

For about 4 years I was on twitter daily…participating in EDCHATS every Tuesday, communicating with educators around the world.

I began creating Livebinders and even got nominated for top 10 Livebinder of 2012.

I presented locally on numerous occasions and internationally in San Antonio. I knew those experiences were to be treasured and I can honestly say, in those moments I treasured them.

I began to submit my writing, first published locally in  Literacies, Learning and Libraries …. and then internationally in Educational Leadership. Seeing my work along side my literacy idols was thrilling.

I was on my way…I was building momentum…

… so what happened?

I got small. Played small. For whatever reason, I thought that being in a school offered me the chance to work with less people, more often, and go deeper. But that’s not how it works. On any staff, you will only find a few who are literacy obsessed and willing to invest their time learning more. Which makes sense…on any staff you will have a collection of talents and passions for all subject areas not just literacy. Any educator who wants to find a tribe does need to look beyond their own school.

So I know I need to find a larger tribe. I thrive on discussing literacy with people who are equally passionate. These people are everywhere, it runs in their blood too, regardless of age and experience.  But in a school, they are a very small number. Too small to play with.

The conversations I loved most recently, are the ones through e-mail. Former colleagues reaching out to discuss literacy strategies for our schools. Sometimes it is at professional development sessions. Those powerful exchanges that remind you that your “people” might not be your day to day colleagues but they are still very much apart of your professional learning plan.

So I have decided to live larger…

I have created the Lead Literacy Society (LLS). It is for those that love literacy…that’s it. I can’t even explain the criteria to you because you either feel that passion for literacy or you don’t.

I have subscribed to The Reading Teacher for current up to date information trends and practical ideas.

I have embraced new opportunities. Namely, a district opportunity to earn Level one and Level two Google Certification. I need to be part the Google world if I am ever to bridge literacy and technology platforms effectively.

The passion to immerse myself in literacy has stirred up new “wonderings” about the state of curriculum changes in my province. I would like to take more of an active role in that process and discussing ideas with all you join the LLS.

Will there be a shirt …maybe?

Cookies…likely.

Discussion and debates…for sure!

So, if you are interested click like and follow on the LLS Facebook page. I can’t wait to get started.

I will leave you with the words of Cheryl Strayed (author of the book Wild and Brave).

“Ask yourself, ‘What is the best I can do? And then do that.’

Talk to you soon!

Coach Clark