Monday, August 20, 2018

Back to School: Have a GREAT MORNING!


School starts this week here, and as a former teacher, I wish all students, teachers, staff, and administrators a GREAT MORNING! Fortunately, poetry queens Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong devised a way to make great mornings happen. Their latest anthology from Pomelo Books is aimed at elementary principals and teachers, but I think these poems are good for older students, too. The idea is that the school staff who do morning announcements include a poem from this book every day. What a great way to start the day!

The book is chock-full of short, school-related poems by some of the best children's poets today--Jane Yolen, Jack Prelutsky, Margarita Engle, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, Eric Ode, Kenn Nesbitt, and many more, including Janet Wong herself, and me!

In addition to the poems, Sylvia and Janet have included information on how and why to use poetry, tips for using the book, and a whole section on teaching activities, using poetry at home, and other resources. It's so helpful for teachers and administrators who may not be comfortable or familiar with poetry. The book is designed to help help them dive right in!

My poem, "How to Make a Friend," is reprinted from The Poetry Anthology for Celebrations by Pomelo Books.

How about starting every day with a poem, whether you are in school or not?



6 comments:

  1. Your poem is wonderful for today, Jane. I see the girls tomorrow, will share it with them! Congrats again on having a poem in this book! I hope lots of schools purchase it to use every day!

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  2. This book is a fantastic idea for schools, and I adore your poem, Jane. What a great way to begin the day!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Mary. Yes, beginning a day with poetry is a real treat!

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  3. Love this post, your poem and Great Morning! Could there be too much poetry? Poetry cheerleading?
    Janet Clare F.

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    1. Janet, we know there is no such thing as too much poetry! :) Thanks for stopping by.

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