Sunday, September 23, 2012

Poetry in Our Classroom

I love using poetry in the classroom, but sometimes it feels like there isn't enough time!  I started by giving each student a poetry journal for their book bag:


Each week we cut out our poem, color it in and then glue it in our notebooks.



We would practice the poem when I handed it out and that would be it.  The students could read the poems during Independent Reading.

This year, I decided that wasn't enough.  I am going to create a poster for each poem and we now recite the poem together during Morning Meeting. 



 On a random note,  I decided to clean out underneath my kids cubbies.  They haven't been cleaned since I moved into the classroom 4 1/2 years ago.  Talk about wasted space!  And talk about your dusty materials - eww!

Here's the before picture:

And the after:

I was prompted to do this when my students were trying to put away their Fun Friday materials above the cubbies (and wayy above their heads).  I was so impressed and proud of them for taking care of their materials!  But I was a little nervous that the game boxes were going to pop open and rain down on their heads.  Right then, I decided I wanted to dedicate the bottom of these cubbies to materials that they can use during this free time:


So much better!  Way cleaner and much easier for my students to reach.

11 comments:

  1. Much better use of space! Bet that was just so much fun cleaning!

    Pixy Stix and Teacher Tricks

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love cleaning- such a good feeling right? I use poetry books too- my littles love it! :)

    Kimberly
    Click to get 31 bags for 31% OFF!!
    The Learning Tree

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am just starting poetry journal with my kiddos this year. Curious what resource you pick your poems from?

    ❤ -Stephanie
    Falling Into First

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  4. We learn a poem a week and that add it to the binder that they take home every night. It's fun stuff and great for fluency too. Your journals look great!
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved the poem,so cute,I use poems a lot in my teaching

    Lusine
    Enjoy Teaching English

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  6. Poems are a great way to build vocabulary and fluency aren't they?! I've always posted a poem in the room, but I don't think it is too late to start a poetry journal! Thanks for sharing!
    Jenny
    Owl Things First!

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  7. I couldn't find anywhere or way to message you back so I am doing so here. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words about our anniversary. We have had an amazing first year of marriage and I hope that your first year has been amazing as well. Happy Annivesary to you today. I hope you have had a fantastic day :)

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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  9. Hi, I'm looping with my first grade class up to second next year. I've always used my poetry notebooks weekly as my kids love it, and its great fluency practice. I was curious to as which poems you're using, as I need a whole new set since if can't use my poems next year with the same group of kids. Much is appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, I'm looping with my first grade class up to second next year. I've always used my poetry notebooks weekly as my kids love it, and its great fluency practice. I was curious to as which poems you're using, as I need a whole new set since if can't use my poems next year with the same group of kids. Much is appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi, I'm looping with my first grade class up to second next year. I've always used my poetry notebooks weekly as my kids love it, and its great fluency practice. I was curious to as which poems you're using, as I need a whole new set since if can't use my poems next year with the same group of kids. Much is appreciated.

    ReplyDelete

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