Poetry Friday: Poems from Third Grade, Part 2

Welcome back to Northfied Elementary, Poetry Friday readers.This is my thirteenth year working with third graders at this local school. It's a special occasion that I look forward to all year. 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 mentor text I use is “Words in My Pillow” by Naomi Shihab Nye, from Georgia Heard’s anthology of list poems, FALLING DOWN THE PAGE.When we're working on list poems, the students are focusing on two important skills: choosing a topic for the poem that influences every single line; and paying attention to word choice -- this poem calls for juicy, interesting words that stand out!While you're enjoying these list poems, I will be on my way to my native New Jersey for NerdCamp! This annual literacy conference is held each year at Chatham HS. I'm looking forward to leading a session on introversion in the classroom with educator Heather Rocco. For a full list of authors and session, visit the NerdCampNJ home page.Here is the next batch of third grade poems, with thanks to the students' families for permission to share.Words on the BeachBy Max A.I know words are hiding here.Words that are good–WavesSharpSoftNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.Like the tummy hiding inside me.No one can see itbut I know what I see–SandShellsCrabsSeaweedWater andWavesThings that are fun are in thereBeach balls are in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I want to meet them.FunWaterSunSeaweedis in the beach.My friends the wordsgo to the beach before I do.But they neverleave me.***Words in the OceanBy Jesse Z.I see words floating on the ocean.Words that are soaked--Sunken shipBoatsCoralSeashellSome people can see thembut I find them swimminglike a shark swimming at me.Some people can see itbut I really know it's there.RoughCalmWavyBlueCrazyAnimals are in there.Fish are in there.The words are floating togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.SplashingSnorkelingand sometimes getting seasick.My friends the wordsgo float and play before I do.But they nevergo away.***Words in a Basketball CourtBy Chaitanya M.I hide words inside my basketball.Words that are loud.DribbleDunkBuzzersNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.Like the TUMMY hiding inside my body.No one can see itbut I know what’s in there–3 pointerLay-upCrossoverHalf courtFull courtBallsTeams are in there.Players are in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.LeatherRubberGlassMetalis in my basketball court.My friends, the wordsnever go away.***Words in My Gymnastics BagBy Milan M.I hide words inside my gymnastics bag.Words that feel good and bad–LeotardScrunchieSocksNo one can see thembut I find them inside my brain.Like the pain hiding inside my ankle.No one can see itbut I know what’s in there–CompetingWinningTiredFlexibilityTricksFlippingSplitEntertaining is in there.Sweaty is in there.The words are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking them.Boom!Thump!Land!Ouch!is in my gymnastics bag.My friends the wordsgo to gymnastics class before I do.But they never, never, everdo flips and splits!!!!***Words in My BasketballBy Trevor L.I hide words inside my basketball.Words that inspire me.OrangeStripesLightNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.Like the greatness hiding inside my body.No one can see itbut I know what’s in there–ShotTeamPlayersHoopFunBack boardSmarts are in me.Me and the ball are playing togetherwhen I am saying or thinking of it.FriendsCrazyRoughToughis in my ball.My ball, my friendgoes to the court.But it doesn'tgo away.***Words in My DogBy Emma B.I hide words inside my dog.Words that are good–Dog toysPantingWarmNo one can see thembut I find them waiting for me.I know what’s in there.TrottingFunCombsEnergeticExcitedRunningFleas are in there.Ticks are in there.JumpingDog foodTreatsFluffyis in my dog.My doggoes to bed before I do.But the words inside hergo 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)