The Gift of Words
A Resource for Parents and Educators
by
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Tips for using School Days Poems In the Classroom: · Some of these poems can be used on career days, career month, or whenever careers are being discussed. · The poem “I Can Be” gives students the feeling that they can use their imagination. They can write sentences about what they want to become and draw pictures of it to share with the class. Write two or three paragraphs, or just draw a picture. · “The Poet”: Some students may be spoken-word or rap artists or songwriters. Students can discuss the difference between being a poet, a spoken-word artist, a rap artist, and a lyricist (each write poetry, used in different ways). · Students can form groups and sing, rap, write a poem, write a story, or make a poster about one or more of the titles in this section; this would be an excellent way for students to share their talents. (Performance can be done at an open house or parents' conference.) · Students could interview and photograph some of the school staff. Include the engineer, secretaries, cook staff, and other staff members; you may also want to include parent volunteers, etc. Then give a presentation or put the information together to make a booklet for an open house, bulletin board, or classroom door. · “Alliance”: this poem is an excellent poem to use when discussing diversity. · Define diversity, and then children can use the computer to find examples of diversity. At Home: · Get career books from the library for the appropriate reading level (check with teacher). Find books that you can read to the child or that they can read to you. · Choose a special time of the day to read so that everyone involved will look forward to the time. Read for five to twenty minutes. Ask questions at the end that require more than a yes or no answer. · Guide them into thinking about what their talents and strengths are. Let them discuss how they feel without your input. Discuss your career with them. If you work at home, talk to them about how you plan your day. · Let your child discuss their school day or special activities for the week or month. · Look up one of your favorite artists, poets, or a career on a computer or in a book. Give your child the same opportunity. Let them look up someone they admire and discuss it with you. Pleasant Play Rocking, rocking, rocking, Circling, circling, Round and round, The girl's smile twists upward, Her dark brown eyes Explore others near as the Blue hoop rotates around her waist For the hundredth time; Mocha, ivory, tan colored boys and girls Running, running, running about, Snickering while looping round One teacher, then another, tagging One another and running faster, Thump! Thump! Thump! Bouncing the Basketball low, then lower, faster, Body bending, twirling, to the right, left Shouts from the team, “Give it to me,” “Give it to me! ” The ball pops into the air, quickly arms and hands hit the air, A sweaty hand stretches out and meets the ball In midair, a hand curves downward as the Body leaps into the atmosphere; it hits the ball Rim and goes in. “Two more points!” Children scream. “Apples, peaches, and plums, tell me when your Birthday comes!” Blue barrettes bounce as the Expert hops from leg to leg at an even pace. “January, February March, April …” Now skipping Faster, to the rhyme, her legs keep time, the Legs miss a beat as she steps when she should have Hopped. The rope stopped. Ring-g-g-g-g-g-g-g! “Line up, pick up your coats from the ground,” Squeals a teacher.
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About the Book
Ms. Irish is an educator with more than thirty years of experience working with parents, educators, teens, and children in a variety of capacities. She has facilitated poetry slams and has given presentations in communication skills, classroom management, and school and parent involvement. Most of the poems in this book have been used in classrooms, after-school programs, poetry jams, and career days at elementary and junior high schools. Some poems have been published in school newspapers, and one in a (NEA) National Educators Association booklet --a poem called “Closing the Achievement Gap.” Educators and parents have seen the difference in the attitudes of students when they have listened to these poems in conjunction with presenting their poetry to peers. Students have a wealth of oral abilities; the author's quest is to aid students in using these talents in combination with their writing and reading skills in a productive manner. It is the author's hope that this resource will assist parents and educators to respond to their own creative aptitude and spark student interest and enjoyment in literacy as a tool to enhance their reading and verbal dexterity. It is also the hope of this author that parents, youth, and children will forge a closer bond and that the poems and resources will be a useful supplementary tool for teachers and counselors as well as other educators.
About the Author
Janice Irish has a BS degree in Early-Childhood Education to 3rd grades; and a MS degree in Educational Psychology. Ms. Irish is a licensed professional counselor. Janice Irish has been an educator in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for more than thirty years. She has worked as a teacher, a counselor, and a problem-solving facilitator for the Milwaukee Public School System. She has also been an educational consultant in after-school programs, giving presentations to staff and students in communication and violence prevention. Ms. Irish speaks at events using motivational poetry with children, youth, and adults. She sometimes performs with her son, Haya Leslie, a Spoken-Word Artist. Janice Irish writes and frames personalized poetry for all occasions. Janice Irish has experience working as an independent contracted psychotherapist. The populations served in this capacity are children, adults, and adolescents. She specializes in family, expressive, and play therapy. Ms. Irish is a substitute teacher for private and charter schools. She teaches four-year-old kindergarten to fourth-grade students in all basic subject areas. Her specialty is early childhood education to third grade. She also volunteers in crisis situations for the Red Cross as a professional counselor.