The Yellowstone Whale - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
National monuments, symbols, or and landmarks always appear in a child's school curriculum at one point or another. Why not through a little poetry into it as well? The Old Faithful geyser is an American landmark that many think about when one mentions the Yellowstone National Park. Share this poem with other poems that are about other landmarks or nature poems. Remember to have information and pictures of Old Faithful too.


POEM

The Yellowstone Whale
by Lisa Westberd

..................................Deep beneath
..............................the bubbling pools
..........................lives a big whale.

....................When it breaths,
................we snap pictures
.............of its spout.

.........When it flicks its tail,
.......the ground shakes
.....beneath our feet.

...Stay down deep,
.whale.
Stay down.

EXTENSION
Have the students explore other natural landmarks through books and other poems. Have them pick one so that they can create their own poem that provides a unique persepective on what the landmark is.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Westberd, Lisa. 2003. Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up. Illus. by Cathie Felstead. NY: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0060292652.

Edgar Springs, Missouri? - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
Everyone needs to be exposed random facts everyone so often (or all the time!). The Edgar Spring, MO that is the subject of this poem is the "Center of the U.S. Population," and really is a little fact that isn't mentioned enough. This poem would be perfect for a geography lesson or a lesson on the U.S. Share this one with other poems found in the same book or from A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme, which is also by J. Patrick Lewis.

POEM

Edgar Springs, Missouri?
(Center of the US Population)
by J. Patrick Lewis

Smack-de-do-dab in the middle
Of America's a little
Hamlet by the name of Edgar Springs.

And I think I oughta mention
(Could I have y'all's attention?)
'Cause it may not have the most famous ring:

Hundred ninety (population)
Belly button of the nation,
One P.O.,
A general store,
A stop for gas.

It's a breadbox of a borough,
And the bloomin' Census Bureau
can't locate it with a magnifying glass!

EXTENSION
With this poem and any other geographical poem shared, have maps available and an images of the subject for the children to look at. Invite them to explore the maps to find a city or town they have never been to then have them research from the chosen to location. With the information in had have them share a poem (doesn't matter how long) about it.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2007. Good Mornin', Ms. America: The U.S. in Verse. Illus. by Mark Clapsadle. Columbus, OH: Gingham Dog Press. ISBN: 0769631703.

How to Make a Valentine - A Poetry Break

INTRODUCTION
It's that time of year again. Pull out that construction paper, those bottles of glue and glitter (or glitter glue pens, you're choice), white paper doilies, and the all the instruments needed to create those little cards to put in someone's decorated shoe box. Yes, it is Valentine's Day is just around the bend! This poem is for those who may be shy at heart or just plain do not want to give a valentine to anyone at school. Share this poem with other fun ones to get the full range for this little day.

POEM

How to Make a Valentine - by Bobby
by Jenny Whitehead

.....................Cut one red heart,
................. ...Sprinkle sprinkles,
...................Smooth out all of the
................ ..Glue-bump wrinkles.
.............. .....Stick some stickers,
........... ............. ...Scribble,
........... ............. .Swirl swirl.
.............. .... .Give to Grandma,
.............. .... .. .Not a GIRL girl.
................... .... . (No way!)

EXTENSION
Invite the kids to create their own poem about the process of creating their own valentine hearts or cards, and, if they are brave enough, to say who the cards are for. They could even create a secondary poem that could be the written sentiment for their recipients.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Whitehead, Jenny. 2007. Holiday Stew: A Kids Portion of Holiday and Seasonal Poems. NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN: 9780805077155.