Third Grade Odes

We're wrapping things up at Northfield Elementary. Our third and final poetry workshop focused on odes.Tone is a difficult literary concept. The website Literary Devices defines it this way: "Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject." The interesting thing about odes is this: they are so focused, even over-the-top, in praising their subject that their use of tone is obvious. For this reason, the ode is a great poetic form for teaching young writers about tone.I recently guest-posted at Woven Tale Press online literary magazine about using odes in the classroom. You can read the article here.Our mentor text for this workshop was Gary Soto's poem, "Ode to Pablo's Tennis Shoes." (Read the poem at Scholastic.) The Northfield third grade poets took off their own shoes, so they'd have something tactile to praise and celebrate in their odes. Having an object to work with helped the students build on the sensory imagery we used in our previous workshop.One of the things we worked on in our odes was hyperbole. See if you can spot at least one hyperbole in each of today's poems.Ode to Greta's ShoesBy Greta S.Thank you, athletic shoes. You makeme feel like I am walking on a cloud.When I am on a secret mission, you keepme quiet, so no one can hear me. SometimesI don't appreciate the smell you have -- a rottenegg sitting in my lunch box for two years.Thank you for the look of agray and pink sunrise on a school daymorning. Thank you for being myfavorite shoes.***Ode to ShoesBy Ariyana M.As old and worn as they are,I can't live without them.They still aren't even at their first birthday!Oh, the shine! Too bright!Now dull brown, they carry me silentlyand plead squeakily for baths occasionally.Why, oh why, can't shoes grow with you?Why does my mom grow roses?Life isn't fair,but you are about as fair as it gets!***Ode to My ShoesBy Cate J.Shoes! Oh, shoes. How I love you so.You look like the shimmering wavescrashing onto the beach.You smell of sweatfrom the hot summer days we have played together.You fee so supporting, always there for me.You  helped me trudgeup the rockiest of Montana's mountains,carried me over theme parks,and helped me run faster than a cheetah.Without you, my speed would beas slow as a snail.Why, oh why, is there notShoe Day.***Oh, ShoesBy Sami J.Oh, ShoesI couldn'tlive withoutyou. You looklike a blackcat snoopinginto themoonlight. Yousmell likesoil witha plant inyou. Youfeel likecloudson acloudy day.You soundlike thesilentmoonlight.All the placesI have beenwith you likeNew Jersey.Oh, Shoeswhat wouldI do withoutyou? I wouldbe lost tryingto find you.I would nothave funwithout you.Oh, Shoes, whatwould I dowithout you?***Untitled OdeBy Griffin R.My shoes looks like the eyeof the tiger. My shoe smells likethey're old school, but wiseand respected. My shoe feels likea thick butterfly net. My shoes sounds likeit's playing Tic Tac Toe. Withoutmy shoe, my feet can't be clean.***Thanks to the Northfield community for allowing me to share the students' writing. I'll post more shoe odes from third grade tomorrow.