Poetry Friday: Poems from Third Grade, Part 1

Greetings, Poetry Friday friends.This month, I am back at Northfield Elementary for my annual poetry residency. Each year, I spend about a month working with the entire third grade.The residency is sponsored by the school PTA’s cultural arts committee, and by an Artist-in-Residence grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. Thank you!Our first poetry workshop was a favorite form, list poems. You can read my lesson, which describes the workshop, here.The model poem I use is by our new Young People's Poet Laureate, Naomi Shihab Nye. The students were so excited when I told them the big news of her appointment. Yes! The poem we worked with is by *the* top children's poet in the country."Words in My Pillow" by Naomi Shihab Nye comes from Georgia Heard's anthology of list poems, FALLING DOWN THE PAGE.Because this is our first workshop, we do this poem as a cross-out. The children write their original poems over the top of Nye's words. This provides structure and coaches these young poets in rhythm and word choice.Here is the first batch of this year's third grade poems. I'm so happy to be able to send some of the students' first drafts.   Words in My DreamsBy Aiden M.I have words inside my dreams,words from my head--CrazyWildSourNo one can see thembut I find them hunting for me.Like the money hiding inside my piggy.No one can see itbut I know it's in there--ScaryHappyStickyBrightSweetSadFlowers are in thereClouds are in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am thinking and thinking about them.ColorfulGloomyCuteWeirdis in my dreams.My friends the wordsgo to my mind before I notice.But they never go away.***Words in My DeskBy Zoey C.I hide words inside my desk.Words that make me happy.NeatCleanOrganizedNo one can find thembut I find them making me proud.Like the school box hiding inside my desk.No one can find thembut I know what's in there.GlueMarkersScissorsPencilEraserCrayonsNotebooks are in there.Folders are in there.The words are talking togetherwhen I am grabbing or thinking them.SlidePushTakeTipI find in my desk.My helpers the wordsgo to school before I do.But they nevergo away.***Words in My Stinky ShoesBy Novali V.I hide words inside my shoes.Words that taste bad.SoccerStenchKickNo one can see them.They still use them,like the brain hiding inside my head.No one can see itbut I know what's in there--A footSweatA sock (smelly)DirtRocks, stonesToena -- oof! *Slips*Kicks are in there.Accidental sliding is in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.Excited for a gameTiredThoughtsSprintis in my shoe.My friends, the wordsgo to rest before I do.But they nevercome out of my shoes.***Words in My OceanBy Elyse G.I discover words inside my ocean.Words that feel good--Cool waterMoist sandSlimy seaweed squelchingbetween my toesPeople think they can see thembut I know that what they see is justhalf the picture,like the beach.People can see the sandbut they can't see the milesof the ocean's words.No one can see itbut I know what's in there--SeahorseFishes of the oceansOilMollusksSea cucumbersCavernsJellies are in there.Underwater is in there.The words are swimming togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.SlimySoftHardCoolWondrousMy friends the wordswiggle away before people can find them.But I always know where to find them.***Words in the Solar SystemBy Matthew B.I hide words inside the solar system.Words that are breathtaking.PlanetsSunStarsEveryone can see thembut I find them waiting for me.Everyone can see itbut I know what's in there--LightDarkWhiteBurningSparklingColdPlanets are in there.The moon is in there.The words are orbiting togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.ColdYellowTravelingWoosh!is in the solar system.My friends the words nevergo to bed.But they never float away.***Words in My PocketBy Jackson S.I hide words inside my pocket.Words that are fun--LollipopCoinsStickersNo one can see themBut I find them waiting for me.Like my room waiting for me after school.No one can feel itbut I know what's in there.Bouncy ballDrawingsPlaying cardsWrappersBand-aid colorsDarkness is in thereMy stuff is in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.PaperSmartiesPurpleBang!is in my pocket.My friends the wordsgo to bed before I do.But they neverrun away.***Words in My Cat FelaBy River M.She has words inside her body.Words that are cuddly--SleepEatGrumbleNo one can see thembut I find them in her fur.Like the tiredness and calmness in her head.No one can see itbut I know what's in there.FoodTreatsBlanketsOutside"Leave me alone"ComfortableMemories are in there too.Kitten is in there.The words are sleeping togetherwhen she is meowing or thinking them.YesStopBedChhh!is in my cat Fela.My cat Fela and the wordsgo to bed before I do.But they nevergo away from my cat Fela's mind.***Words in My PoolBy Olivia L.I hide words inside my pool.Words that splash you--LeavesWavesWaterNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.Like the bubbles hiding beside my body.No one can see itbut I know what's in there.BugsToy ships that floatFeet slicing through the waterMoney people have lostBirds swimmingFloats floatingThe word "Overwhelming" hides in the pool as well.People feeling refreshed by the cool water.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.WhipSplash!BlueWoosh!is in my pool.My friends the wordsgo to bed before I do.But they neverswim away.All poems shared with permission.For more of this year’s student poems, please check out:Poems from Third Grade, Part 1 — List Poems (Ms. Spencer, Ms. Sochol-Solomon, and Ms. Scavo’s classes)Poems from Third Grade, Part 2 — List Poems (Ms. Hilliard and Ms. Trodden’s classes)Poems from Third Grade, Part 3 — Food Poems (Ms. Hilliard and Ms. Trodden’s classes)Poems from Third Grade, Part 4 -- Food Poems (Ms. Spencer, Ms. Sochol-Solomon, and Ms. Scavo’s classes)