Whoa Mama

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Things I Learned From Second Grade Poems

Today was the Second Grade Poetry Tea. How precious and liberal and creative and perfect. The class of 25 each had 2-3 poems that they read to the appreciative, snapping (as opposed to clapping) audience. One of my favorite moms turned to me and said she wished she had her beret at this beatnik slam.

They have been working on everything from haikus to traditional rhyming patterns. There were obviously some themes and formats that they were working from. Interestingly one boy, the uber cool and awesomely named "Declan", inspired multiple poems. Pets were a popular theme, including our trusty, loving, old chocolate lab. Noah has always been moved by his death. Noah's haiku about Rocky included his fully formed figure buried upright on the beach. It was quite Egyptian.

Other themes suggested included "why not", as in "why isn't every day Friday and why can't I have more beyblades". There was a color element showed up in sublime statements like "Purple is when the evening smells like cookies." The seasonal inspiration took on a number of forms; I particularly loved "Spring is nice.      When it is warm."

My favorite theme was "what is scary". By and large what second graders find scary is:

  • Falling off a ladder
  • Vomit
  • Getting hollered at
  • When Mom/Dad is mad
  • Getting lost
  • Jumping over vomit
  • Barking dogs
  • Vomit

Then we had tea and cookies and, if you are my boys, felt especially like a star when you aunt made an iced, green tea with lemon and honey concoction to share with your friends.

Especially because green tea wards off vomit.

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