List Poems from Northfield ES

Hello, Readers! After my new middle grade novel launched in mid-April, I took a month off from blogging.In that month, I've visited schools and bookstores in Albuquerque, New Mexico, New York City, and Baltimore. Now I'm back in my own neighborhood, teaching at Northfield Elementary. I've been poet in residence with the Northfield third grade for ten years.The first time I meet the poets, we work on a structured form, such as a list poem. This year, our first model poem was Naomi Shihab Nye's "Words in My Pillow." It's from the list poem anthology, FALLING DOWN THE PAGE.In the model poem, the speaker describes tucking words into her pillow before she goes to sleep. The third graders and I brainstormed our own list of juicy words, and figured out how we might change the topic of the poem, but keep some of its structure.For instance, "Words in My Dog" might include specific nouns (TREATS, WATER, TONGUE), descriptive adjectives and verbs (BARK, FLUFFY, FAST, LICK), but it might also have "states of being" -- things we can't really see (LOVE, COMFORT, KINDNESS).I am excited to share the third graders' poems. Please be aware that these are first drafts. We will work on line breaks together on Revision Day.Thanks to the educators and families at Northfield for allowing me to post the children's original work.Words in my PianoBy Michelle Z.I hide words in my piano.Words that sound good.MusicKeys88No one can see them but Ifind them waiting for mewhenever I hit a key. No one can see itbut I know it's in there.SoundHighLowStringsThe words are talking togetherwhenever I'm thinking them.MetalWoodBang!is in my poem.The words never leave butsometimes I do.***Here is Christina's poem. Christina opted to do her first draft as a cross-out. Here is what it looks like on the page, and typed up.Words in My HeartBy Christina F.I hide words inside my heart.Words that feel good --LoveFamilyCaringNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.No one can see itbut I know what's in there --StrongBraveRedCryBeatShynessBlood is in there.A story is in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.MineKeepHaveStarsis in my heart.My friends the wordsgo to bed before I do.But they nevergo away.***There's a lot of action in Marcel's poem.Words in My Shoes!By Marcel C-GMy shoes arebored when I'm in class.The pair wants to run likelightning.Whoosh! Colorful! Rubber wants to run!Phew! Come on! Juicy wind is so windy!Whee! Ahhhh, I'm too bored!But if you runthey feel tootired.They also feelsleepy.At recess, they're so excitedthey're going to die for it!When I am in the cafeteriathey're starving, but I can't givethem food.Rubber goes to sleep.I'm sorry shoes!!!***Andy came up with some very inventive imagery for the opening of this list poem.Words in My DogBy  Andy T.There are words inside my dog.Words that slide down her tongueand come out of her mouth.WOOF!Bark!Grrr!YawnYou can't see them but theyare there. Like the feelings deepdown in my dog.HungryDesperateSleepyBoredEnergetic.Feelings are in my dog.Sad is there. Tired is there.Some words are adjectives.Some are good, some bad.StinkyFluffySmallCuteSickMy dog's friends the wordsgo to bed before her,but will be waiting for herin the morning.***I loved the way that Riley worked a recipe into this list poem.Words in My Cake MixBy Riley H.I store words in my cake mix,words that taste delicious.CandyTreatDessertNo one can touch them,but I find them waiting for my return,like the measurements in my brain.2 1/2 cups flour1/4 milk1 1/2 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla1 tablespoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon saltSmarts are in there.Patience is in there.The words are forming a bondbefore we sample or munch them.CookiesDonutsMuffinsCrunchare in my cake mix.My ingredients the wordsgo away before I do,baked in their pan.After, I add sprinkles,icing.Then, we taste:ALL GONE!***Last, Eve captures many of the reasons children enjoy playing sports together.Words in My Soccer BallBy Eve B.I hide words inside my soccer ball.Words that help me win the game:TRYCHAMPIONENERGYNo one can see thembut I find them rooting for me on the bleachers.Like the KICK in my foot.No one can see itbut I know what it's like:STRONGPOWERFULHARDBOOM!WHOOSHTEAMWORK is in there.The words are passing to each otherwhen I am saying or thinking them.TOGETHERLEADERSHIPHAPPINESSare all in my soccer ball.My friends the words,I can't kick them away.But I would never try it,not any day.***I'll post more Northfield list poems tomorrow. If you have a question about this lesson or feedback for the Northfield poets, please leave it in the comments.