Module 5- Performance Poetry

Franco, Betsy, Hart, Jessie ill. Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and Other School Poems for Two Voices. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2009.

Review:
Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and Other School Poems for Two Voices by Betsy Franco is filled with 19 creative poems for two voices related to school themes. Dreams of double dutch danced in my head as I read "Jump Rope Jingle". The rhythm of jump roping is illustrated in the words, line breaks, white space, and in the voice parts. It is a perfect match to the subject of the poem. Each poem is written in an easy way and language that makes them accessible to all readers. The school related subject matter is something all kids (students) can relate to and enjoy, especially the humorous poems. Hart's illustrations are reminiscent of childhood drawings and memories. They definitely represent each poem well. Students will enjoy reading these poems in pairs or in groups.

Introduction:
Ask students if they know any jump rope rhymes or jingles. Have them share what they know and demonstrate, if possible, the movements for the jingle (have jump ropes available). Write these down as students share them. Show the poem and read it to students twice. Then reread the poem having students chime in as the chorus voices. Choose 2 students for voice 1 and voice 2 and reread the poem.

Poem: excerpt from Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and Other School Poems for Two Voices by Betsy Franco
Voice 1
Voice 2
Chorus voices

Jump Rope Jingle

Come on in.
I'll jump with you.
It's double fun
to jump with two.

Jump, jump,
spin around.
Jump, jump,
slap the ground.

Turn to the east.
Turn to the west.
Choose the one
you like the best.

Jump, jump,
A, B,
C.

Jump, jump,
1, 2,
3.

Turn in circles.
Keep the beat.
Feel the rhythm
in your feet!

Extension:
Have jump ropes available for students to use. Have students use the movement directions in the poem with the jump ropes. Students can work in pairs or groups to complete the activity. Then students can create their own jump rope poems.