Due to the recent health crisis that our world has suddenly but also slowly entered, there has been a lot of time to stay home, get outdoors and reflect. As each day passes, I am learning more and more about the things in life that truly matter. Having to adjust to working, teaching, and learning online 100% has been difficult. Hours in front of the screen each day really does take a physical tole on the body.
With that being said, I have really tried to spend more time outside, getting fresh air, moving my body and breathing in all the good things I can, letting all the bad things go. With warmer weather on the horizon, I’ve noticed lots of changes outside around me such as birds chirping, flowers blooming and leaves budding on trees. I’ve written several poems over the past week that I would like to share with all my readers. The first was a poem I wrote inspired by something I saw in nature, and the other two are written using the Japanese form of Haiku.
Nature Inspired Poem
Haiku Poems
Haiku is an old Japanese form of poetry that is written in 3 lines- the first with 5 syllables, second with 7 syllables and the last with 5 syllables again. Haikus, just like other forms of poetry can be written about anything and does not have to rhyme. Haikus are a great way to invite students to begin writing poems. We can encourage students to use their surroundings to brainstorm thoughts and ideas for their poems. Haiku work provides a great opportunity to teach students many important skills such as syllable work, adjective work and observational experiences. My haikus are written with a focus of my thoughts during the long quarantine I’ve been experiencing. Although this is a serious time and matter for many, I have chosen to reflect on humor and positivity through my writing.
Haiku #1- Photoku
Boredom struck one day
First the edges, then the rest
Where is that last piece?
Haiku #2- Quarantine
Stuck inside all day
Teaching, working all online
Target, I miss you.
Photoku Resource:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r4nYREveGhjZWmaTRoOPkDLwHLTZEd9JSzhGMwMRj-Y/edit?usp=sharing
Haiku Resources:
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WrQDv6H_KhaQn8Yes2vdB-nb06nHvQZT1182QxJH6pM/edit?usp=sharing
2. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J-qeKDUIbxWJz3TeCN_epGhFiLUBUsPXZJJQl5kIP8w/edit?usp=sharing
3.https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jkrMcZIb8f6zkYNY6AupRTmVXtmVKQTrrQetPVYmIc0/edit?usp=sharing
4. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XP4XeGAYSCFyw4L9tQ9rLIG2CTIdLThN4DbpaiW7RkI/edit?usp=sharing
5. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JczX8v_Fr8mqk3TsvyH0YWTggcxyZrp1PE06mz4lhiI/edit?usp=sharing
6. https://padlet.com/bethfrye/haiku2020
A Great Read
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
Looking for a great mentor text to help support your teaching of poetry to students? Creech’s Love That Dog is a favorite for many and gives a unique approach to poetry that is inviting for all learners.
Ms. Wild's Thoughts 