Second-grader Marshall Dwire stepped behind the microphone and read the title on his piece, ‘My Annoying Sister.?
Dwire began to read his poem and described, detailed and rhythmic, his sibling to the audience at Pine Knob’s Poetry Coffeehouse last Thursday.
He received cheers and laughter from the listeners – as did the other students who had written about their siblings.
Other poets read their works about snow, ice cream, football, pets, and family.
All the poets were second-graders from Megan Birkett-Brazier’s and Michelle Aisthorpe’s classes.
‘It was a accumulated celebration,? explained Aisthorpe.
The classes had finished their poetry study. They learned about different poetry and wrote their own poems, each exploring a different theme.
They also experimented with different structures and techniques while using colorful words and catchy beat.
‘Some of the poems heard, we talked about patterns and we talked about rhyming,? said Aisthorpe.
The students also learned how to look at the world with poet’s eyes – looking at an ordinary, every day object and seeing something more in it.
After the poetry unit was finished, the students were asked to pick out one poem that gave them a ‘really big? feeling.
‘The students then worked hard to revise and edit that one piece,? said Birkett-Brazier. ‘Some things they worked on were adding in line breaks, using comparisons, and adding in more detailed words.?
They also worked on editing. They checked their spelling, added end marks to their poetry lines and checked for capitals.
The coffeehouse idea was used to provide a more intimate setting to read their creations to classmates, friends and family.
After the reading everyone enjoyed juice and cookies. The students also signed each other’s autograph books. The students? poems are being used for an academic service learning project.
Birkett-Brazier explained the second and third graders at Pine Knob are making ‘Bedside Bags O? Fun for children visiting the Urgent Care Facility at McClaren Health Care Village. Also in the bags are flashcards, math games, spelling activities, and more.