Module 6- Poetry By Kids

Nye, Naomi Shihab, Bryan, Ashley ill. Salting the Ocean: 100 Poems by Young People. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2000. ISBN 9780688161934

Review:
Salting the Ocean: 100 Poems by Young People by Naomi Shihab Nye is a collection of 100 poems written by students in grades 1 through 12. The poems are written in many forms, but free verse is the prevalent form. The book is broken up into four sections: The Self and the Inner World, Where We Live, Anybody's Family, and The Wide Imagination. The poem, "In the Morning", is located in the Anybody's Family section. It speaks of the desire to escape from home, at least for a while. To escape from the yelling and pain associated with the family. "i wake up/ 5:30 a.m./ before my mother/ before my brothers/ before my sisters" Even though "i" is in lower case, it is highlighted by a larger type setting as if to say, "I am choosing a peaceful, quiet morning by getting up and leaving early for my peace of mind". I believe this poem will resonate with many students who have troubled home lives. Sometimes all we want is a little piece of quiet and solitude without anger, fear, or even overwhelming responsibility. The colorful folk art illustrations by Ashley Bryan complement the multi-aged and multicultural menage of poems in the book. It is a wonderful book of poems to share with students to illustrate the even children can write meaningful and good poetry.

Introduction:
Have students discuss things they avoid, things they dislike, etc and write them on chart paper. Then have students share things they like and embrace. Have them also tell how they are able to do the things they like to do. Read and display the poem.
Poem: excerpt from Salting the Ocean: 100 Poems by Young People

In the Morning by Mary Gutierrez

i wake up
5:30 a.m.

before my mother
before my brothers
before my sisters

i wake up
5:30 a.m.

to a silent house
in a silent room
to a silent morning

--wake up
5:30 a.m.

leave the house
6:20 a.m.

before the yelling
before the screaming
before the pain

i wake up
5:30 a.m.

to a silent house
in a silent room
to a silent morning.

Extension:
Have students write a free verse poem on how they find "me time". Have students volunteer to read their poems aloud. Then students can compare and contrast how they find "me time". Students can also write and discuss how families are alike throughout different cultures and ethnicities.