Two Line Tuesday: Margaret Fuller

"Playing School" Boston Public Library

Today a reader,

tomorrow a leader.

– Margaret Fuller

DMC: A cherita by Maria Marshall

moving every year or two

changing towns and schools
was tough enough

why would the teacher
sing the West-Side Story song*
every day for roll?

© 2018 Maria Marshall. All rights reserved.

* “I just met a girl named, Maria….”


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Naomi Shihab Nye. Her DMC challenge is to write a letter to yourself in which you ask some questions that you don't have to answer. (Please keep in mind that your poem does not need to be in standard letter form.)

Post your poem on our September 2018 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up presentation this Friday, September 28th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her latest collection of poetry from Greenwillow Books:

Back to School: GREAT MORNING! (Giveaway!)

Can you find six year old me? At the end of this post I'll let you know if you're right.

How I adored my first grade teacher, Miss Liles—Dori, as she invited us to call her. She was progressive, creative, nurturing, fun, and she instilled a love of learning that I never outgrew.

You may have guessed, I was one of those children—the kind who treated each school year as an exciting new adventure, the kind who liked to hold my teacher's hand, the kind who lived for storytime and painting at the easel (but not so much for climbing the rope in gym class), the kind who enjoyed playing school and completing worksheets at home just for fun. 

"Playing School" Boston Public Library

Those were the days before too much homework and standardized testing, mind you. But my kids, before the jaded teen phase set in, felt the same. The eagerness may have worn off some, but the anticipation of a new school year is pretty darn compelling, even for them. As adults, I think many of us still crave that feeling of a fresh start, whether it comes in the form of a New Year's resolution, a new job, a new creative project... a new ditty challenge perhaps (wink).

Kenn Nesbitt's delightful poem to welcome the new year can be found in Sylvia Vardell's and Janet Wong's most recent gift to educators, GREAT MORNING! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud (Pomelo Books, 2018). 

GREAT MORNING! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud
Pomelo Books, 2018
ISBN: 978-1937057282
Available for purchase at Amazon.com

As is the case with all of the Pomelo Books offerings, the concept of this anthology is brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness.

Sylvia and Janet have made it easy for principals, parent volunteers, student news crews, or a rotation of teachers and staff, to bring poetry into the lives of young people on Poetry Fridays or any other day of the week. To start with, they've chosen nearly 40 short poems relevant to the school year that can be read to students as part of morning announcements. I'm so pleased and honored to have my own "Look for the Helpers" included among them!

To make it even easier, they've also provided an attention grabbing introductory ("Did you know?") paragraph for each poem and a "Follow up" paragraph to help students personalize and carry the poem's positive message into their day. Watch the video of principal Steven Wilfing on Poetry for Children to see just how simple it is!

from GREAT Morning! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud
by Sylvia Vardell & Janet Wong ©2018 Pomelo Books

You'll also notice a third section titled CONNECT. Here, you'll find a poem recommendation to partner with the original poem as a reinforcing set. The recommended poem might be read and discussed in the classroom by a teacher or librarian, for example, to expand upon the theme, or to discuss the hidden language skills that are regularly used in writing poetry.

"New Year is Here" connects with "What We're Learning" by Janet Wong.

This poem makes me think of my son, who we recently delivered to his new temporary home on the campus of the Florida Institute of Technology.  He's not only building new skill sets having to do with aerospace engineering, but also time management, money management, roommate management, laundry management, and other such college survival skills. I, too, am learning new skills as I struggle to adapt to the empty chair at the dining table. But I digress.

What makes GREAT MORNING! so incredibly user-friendly is that Janet and Sylvia have done all the preparation—they supply the instructions, poem topics, connections to more poems and poetry resources, teaching tips, follow up activities, mini lessons, and even a sample letter to send home to parents to get them involved. It's all there. The only thing you need to supply is your enthusiasm and an understanding of the value poetry brings to students' lives.

I recently ran across a 250 year old quote that applies well when it comes to Janet and Sylvia, and the role Pomelo Books plays in the teaching lives of educators:

"Instruction does much, but encouragement everything."

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Letter to A.F. Oeser, Nov. 9, 1768)

I cannot overstate the impact Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong have made, and continue to make, when it comes to poetry advocacy in the schools. I was lucky enough to see them in action at ILA last year in Orlando. As excellent as the instruction was, what won the audience of teachers over was Janet and Sylvia's enthusiastic and encouraging approach to delivering that instruction. They make poetry seem simple and doable—which it is.

An interactive poetry session with Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong at ILA, July 2017.

I honestly think that many (most?) teachers see the importance of incorporating poetry into their classroom routines, but they're just not sure how to go about it. They need tools, resources, and, maybe most of all, confidence. Pomelo Books supplies all three. But don't just take my word for it! Paul Hankins knows what an asset Sylvia and Janet are to the educational community. Don't miss his comprehensive (and glowing) review of GREAT MORNING! from a teacher's perspective on Goodreads. 

Click HERE to learn more about Sylvia and Janet in my spotlight interview from 2014.

If you'd like to win a copy of GREAT MORNING!, leave a comment below or send an email with the subject "Great Morning Giveaway" to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com by Tuesday, August 28th. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced next Friday. Many thanks to Pomelo Books for providing these copies!

So, did you figure out which one of those adorable and well-behaved children at the top of this post is me? I'm in the second row on the far right wearing an orange turtleneck that my mom ordered from the Sears catalog. You can't see it in the photo, but it had a small Winnie the Pooh embroidered on it. Sigh. I miss that shirt.

Mike Mozart

Who's ready for a ditty challenge?

It's great to be back! And I am SO excited about TLD's featured author for September! While I usually post interviews on the first Friday of the month, I've decided to move this one up by a week to make sure I can share as many daily ditties as possible. I'm keeping the author's name a surprise for now, but do be sure to come back next week to find out who is in the spotlight.

Join teacher and poet Margaret Simon for this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Reflections on the Teche. She introduces a fun poetry project called a zeno zine.

Book Love: TOO MANY FRIENDS (Giveaway!)

KATHRYN APEL

Today I'm singing the praises of an Australian children's poet and author whose books we don't see enough of here in the States. That's going to have to change.

Kathryn Apel (Kat to those of us who follow her blog) is a born-and-bred farm girl who’s scared of cows. She lives with her husband and two sons among the gum trees, cattle and kangaroos on a Queensland grazing property, and is the author of five books for children, including three novels in verse.

Kat loves pumping poetry because she can flex her muscles across other genres, to bend (and break) writing rules. She also teaches part-time and shares her passion for words at schools and festivals. There's lots to explore at Kat's website, including information about her books, kid's stuff, kidlit tips, useful links, and a "whisker of poetry."

Order paper copies via the publisher
or the Kindle edition via Amazon.com.
Watch the trailer HERE.

Too Many Friends (UQP, 2017) is Kat's latest novel in verse for young readers. It tells the story of a Tahnee, a second grader who prides herself on having lots of friends, and who loves to spend time with them all... even the ones who can be bossy. But sometimes she gets frustrated. She feels pushed and pulled in too many directions and doesn't understand why her friends can't get along with each other. Tahnee's efforts to strike a balance and keep the peace—to be inclusive, thoughtful, and understanding in and outside of the classroom—make her an ideal role model. Although she recognizes faults, she chooses to celebrate strengths instead, and she shows readers how to be a good friend in a way that's not preachy or show-offish.

For me, reading this novel brought back a flood of memories from my own kids' early years in Sydney. But even without the first-hand memories, there's much to be gained by reading this book. The fact that American children may not be familiar with honey crackles, or know that fairy floss is another name for cotton candy, or have played pass the parcel at birthday parties, won't stop them from identifying with the characters. Besides, there's great value in children (and adults) gaining insight into what it's like living in another part of the world, don't you think? We live in a global society; why not introduce our children to their "neighbours"?

In Australia, my little ones were proud
to wear their school uniforms.

My son was Tahnee's age when we left Australia to return to the US. Although their transition to the Florida school system wasn't perfect, when it came to friendship, there were few differences between these two cultures from opposite sides of the planet. Slightly older children will relate to Too Many Friends, as well. When my daughter was in fourth grade, she had her first run in with what it's like to have... and then lose the attention of a close friend she'd had since first grade, a friend who suddenly became popular.  It wasn't fun—there were many hurt feelings. But to be fair, the popular girl never asked to be "fought over."

The push and pull of friendship is something young readers will relate to no matter where they call home. I can so easily see this book being read aloud in the classroom to help navigate playground dramas, learn what it means to be a good friend, and discover how to get along with others regardless of whether or not they are friends. My children may have missed out on Miss Darling's classroom, but if you'd like to bring Tahnee and her friends into your classroom, check out the additional resources at Kat's website, including downloadable Teachers' Notes and activity suggestions.

For now, though, please help me welcome Kathryn Apel to the TLD classroom!


Thanks so much for joining us, Kat!

Tell us a little about your experience of writing TOO MANY FRIENDS. What drew you to the story and why did you choose a novel in verse format?

A friend was sharing her mother-heart, about her young daughter who was perpetually wearing herself ragged trying to always be a good friend and meet the needs of all her friends, so that her friends were almost a burden for the little girl to bear.

I’m sure at some stage we’ve all looked at the popular kids and wished a little, but I’d never considered that lots of friends could be a ‘difficult' thing. I wrote a note on my phone; ‘a story about too many friends’ … and started writing it soon after. The words flowed. I think I’d finished my first draft in under a month. The editing process was also so much quicker/easier than my previous verse novels. (Just as well, since we had an unscheduled and exciting holiday opportunity in the middle of that.) I think writing this one from the teacher-heart, as opposed to the mother-heart, perhaps enabled this… and all those wonderful years in the classroom!

It was always going to be a verse novel. I’m finding it hard not to write in verse these days. Partly because words seem to have more resonance in the verse novel format—like they’re buffed and polished and warmed to a golden glow, and there's nowhere for superfluous words to hide. But also because the stories that I’m needing to tell are stories that have heart, and the verse novel seems to be the right way to engage readers in those stories.


In the United States, novels in verse are on the rise, while children's poetry collections seem to be less marketable. What is your overall sense of the children's poetry and verse novel markets in Australia?

*Snap!*

It is so hard to get poetry published in Australia! But as you’ve noted in terms of America, there is a growing number of publishers who are taking on verse novels here—which is, of course, a good thing! My publisher, University of Queensland Press (UQP), has long been a champion of the verse novel, publishing Steven Herrick’s collection of novels in verse and Margarita Engle’s Silver People amongst others—including my three.

Kat makes some new friends at a recent book event.

How is poetry viewed in the Australian educational system? Is it embraced, or is it more like here in the States, where teachers are generally uncomfortable teaching poetry?

Funnily enough, I was surprised by your questions/comments about poetry in education, because for as long as I’ve been involved in Poetry Friday, I’ve (a little jealously/yearningly) had this really lovely, rosy view on poetry in America. But apparently Poetry Friday isn’t an accurate reflection on the education system and its approach to poetry as a whole?

What is it that shakes up our confidence with poetry! Kids are drawn like magnets to rhythm and rhyme. What happens along the way, to turn poetry into ‘the baddie’?

Because yes, in Australia poetry is also seen as an intimidating subject. People worry that they don’t really ‘get’ what the poem is about. Or the curriculum requirements make the analysis of poetry arduous, not magical. Or the poems studied don’t relate to kids of today. It’s about right and wrong answers, not joyful word play and experimentation.

More and more I’m realising that poetry is not about one right meaning. It’s about how it makes you feel—when your heart skips… or lurches—and the feel of the wordplay rolling around in your mouth. It’s about creativity and discipline, wordplay and writing muscle, engaging and enabling a wide range of abilities.

I keep hoping that this giant penny will drop—people will realise that poetry is such a HUGE and diverse genre, and there really is a form of poetry for every person and every occasion. Just because one form doesn’t resonate, another one will! You may not love all forms of poetry—and that’s okay! You can still enjoy poetry! :)


In a blog post, you describe TOO MANY FRIENDS as your "most joyous book." How did writing it compare to your previous novels in verse? Was there anything that particularly caught you by surprise?

Bully on the Bus follows the story of Leroy, a small boy who is bullied throughout the book, on his school bus. There is sadness and anxiety throughout the book, and whilst Leroy is ultimately empowered, that’s towards the end of the book. It's an important story, very much a story from the heart, and I love what it has the potential to do for kids who are being bullied—but there are more tears than laughs in that book.






Similarly, On Track deals with sibling rivalry, self-doubt and imperfect bodies. As one brother’s story takes a turn for the better, the other’s takes a twist for the worse. There are light moments throughout, but there is also a lot of the angst that comes with those themes.
  

Too Many Friends is about a sweet, caring girl who just wants to please—and constantly tries to find ways to be a friend to everyone. (Perhaps my biggest ‘problem’ with this book (through the editorial process) was getting rid of excess ‘smile’s. :) ) Yes, there are points of conflict—and there are moments that catch your heart—but Tahnee’s story is mostly a joyous story.


Please share a favorite selection from TOO MANY FRIENDS and tell us why it's meaningful to you.

So many of the activities in Tahnee’s classroom are things I’ve done with classes I’ve taught, and collage picture books are up there are as one of my favourites!

(Click images to enlarge.)

From Too Many Friends by Kathryn Apel (UQP, 2017), used by permission of the author.

One of the best parts of the project is that buzz of energy and enthusiasm as ideas and edits bounce around the room—kids engaged and enthused with a purposeful real-world project.

Sometimes, with all the standardised assessments and increasing curriculum demands, that joy of shared teaching and learning is squeezed out of classrooms. A teacher’s passion counts for everything within the classroom! If Too Many Friends helps to validate or reignite that passion and enthusiasm—for kids and teachers—that would be a beautiful thing!


What's coming up next for you?

There are works in the pipeline that I can’t yet discuss… but can’t wait until I can share!

In terms of current works in progress, I have a number underway, including something a little different, for me: a historical verse novel for middle grade/young adult, inspired by our recent trip to Antarctica. So amongst the fun of new book release and all that involves, I have also been delving deep into research. And thanks to different posts from Poetry Friday members, I’ve jumped in at different story points to play with some of the poetic forms I’ve seen on the rounds. I’ve not approached a story quite like that before, but I’m having lots of fun! And so far it’s been working. So not only is the historical genre new for me, but so too are many of the poetry forms.


Sounds exciting, Kat! Keep us posted. And thanks for traveling all the way here to be with us today. :)

Thank you so much for having me visit, Michelle. Today’s Little Ditty is like a virtual playground and gym rolled into one. You do a great thing here!


Speaking of great things . . .

Since it's not so easy to grab a copy of Too Many Friends at your local US bookstore, I'm giving away the copy I was sent by University of Queensland Press to one lucky reader of today's blog post! All you need to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment below or email me at TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com. Make sure you do so no later than Tuesday, May 23rd. The winner, selected randomly, will be announced next Friday.

** Sorry. This giveaway is now over. **

I sure am enjoying the wide variety of poems for Melissa Manlove's challenge to write about how writing (or a book) is like something else! This week's featured ditties included poems by Jesse Anna Bornemann, Diane Mayr, Elizabeth Steinglass, and Irene Latham. Linda Mitchell is sharing hers at A Word Edgewise today. Post your contribution on our May 2017 padlet to be included in next week's wrap-up celebration!

Join Kiesha at Whispers from the Ridge to discover everyday gifts and explore this week's Poetry Friday roundup.

DMC: "New Girl Literacies" by Linda Mitchell

NEW GIRL LITERACIES

We shared a computer desk,
side by side, first day of school.
I asked her, what is your name?

Shiny braids shook back and forth.
Oh, I see. Where are you from?
Left and right, the braids – no, no.

Español? Or Arabic?
Her hair now quite talkative.
All the words quite clearly, NO.

I clicked on a map, her eyes
swept right, then she clicked a spot.
The braids at rest. Oh, Nepal!

© 2016 Linda Mitchell. All rights reserved.


Jane Yolen has challenged us to write a septercet that features reading or writing this month. What is a septercet?  Click HERE for more details.

Post your poem on our September 2016 padlet. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, September 30th, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of her fabulous new collection of science poetry:

DMC: "Johnny Loved Miss Jones, His Teacher" by Linda Baie

Johnny Loved Miss Jones, His Teacher

Johnny fell in love first day of school.
Sadly, he soon learned of the rule
that six year olds must grow up first.
He really thought his heart would burst.
She was not meant to be his date,
and Johnny had to wait and wait.
Through all his schooling, he kept in mind
this first heartbreak, and, now resigned,
he searched and found a new love true.
To all the memories, he said “adieu”.
This time, grown up, he found a match:
she taught first grade, a perfect catch.

© 2015 Linda Baie. All rights reserved.


Marcus Ewert has challenged us to write love poems this month– about relationships that seem unrequited, but which end up being requited after all. Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration TOMORROW, October 30th, and one lucky participant will win an autographed copy of his fabulous new picture book:

DMC: "Take Me Out of Your Backpack" by M. H. Barnes

Sung to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer.

Take Me Out of Your Backpack

Take me out of your backpack.
Reach inside the black hole,
Past the detritus and paper mess–
What's inside could be anyone's guess,
But please root, root, root till you find me.
Sniff me out with your nose.
For with 1-, 2-, 3-day old chicken
That's how it goes!

© 2014 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.


Tamera Will Wissinger has challenged us to come up with a parody or tribute poem this month.  (Click HERE for details.) If you would like to join in the fun, send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right.

All participants will be rounded up on July 25th 

and entered to win a copy of Tamera's delightful new picture book, 

THIS OLD BAND. 

Haiku Garden: Anastasia Suen

Today we're getting back to basics, which seems fitting for "Back to School" week.  I can't think of many people as qualified to help with this task than today's special guest, Anastasia Suen.

As the author of 169 books for children and adults, a Booklist's Quick Tips for Schools & Libraries columnist, a literacy blogger, a children's literature consultant for several publishers, a former K,1,5, & 6 teacher who visits schools to teach the six traits of writing, and a former Staff Development for Educators, UNT and SMU instructor who teaches writing workshops online, I feel fairly confident that we are in good hands!

Here she is with today's little ditty:


                     WHY HAIKU?

                     Why haiku? This short
                     form only gives you enough
                     room for essentials.

                     Copyright © 2013 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.


Who knew someone so busy could find time to be clever as well!

The terse style of writing found on her poetry blog, Poet! Poet!, can be fun or insightful, but it is always a pleasure to read.  What's more, Anastasia's participation in Poetry Friday is simply dessert after a week-long blogging feast at Booktalking.  There, she writes every day about about fiction and non-fiction in the kidlitosphere, ranging from board books all the way through young adult.

Like I said, busy lady!  Thank you, Anastasia, for taking time out to grab a deep breath with us here in the Haiku Garden.

Rock Garden, by Russell Yarwood (Costa Mesa, USA) via Wikimedia Commons

If you would like to share a haiku on Today's Little Ditty in the future, please contact me at michelle (at) MichelleHBarnes (dot) com, or by commenting below.  I look forward to featuring you and your blog!

Back to School

Where I grew up, in Westchester County, New York, school began after Labor Day (otherwise known as the day we put away the white pants).  As a consequence, I've always associated autumn with the start of the academic year.  Crisp morning air, stiff blue jeans, the crunch of fallen leaves, and the smell of new school supplies... it came as a package deal. 

Since becoming a parent, however, the first day of school has sneaked up on me every single year.  This is not because the fashion rules have changed regarding white pants.  It's because in both Sydney and Florida, school starts in summertime (January and August respectively) when the livin' is supposed to be easy if I am to believe George Gershwin.  Rudely awakened from my warm weather reveries, I am flung back into reality against my better judgment.

But enough about me-- I am determined not to make this post a nostalgic grown-up's whinge fest.  Instead, today's little ditty is about the enthusiasm of a child returning to school after summer break, meeting a teacher for the first time, and wondering what the new year has in store.  Knowing that whatever it is, it is bound to be great fun.

Advice for my new teacher

Today’s the day

before the day

before the day

school starts!

It’s almost here,

the time of year

to show off all

my smarts.

I met my brand new teacher

(she seems very, very nice)

and told her she can come to me

for lots of good advice.

And when she does

(I know she will),

this is what I’ll say:

The grown ups think

we’re here to learn,

but kids?

We want to play!

© 2013 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes.  All rights reserved.

Now pack your school bag, grab your lunch, and hurry on over to Steps and Staircases, where Lisa has today's Poetry Friday roundup.  See you next time!

Losing my keys... and my marbles.

This week marks the peak of the end-of-school-year crazies, jam-packed with final projects, field trips, parties, performances, ceremonies... you name it, we're there with smiles and a donation of snack food.

Add to that, preparations for out of town visitors to celebrate my 13 year old's birthday party and my 10 year old's graduation from elementary school, plus final revisions on two picture book manuscripts that I am taking with me to the SCBWI conference in Orlando in two weeks, and you should have a pretty good picture of my current state of mind.

But hey, just in case that picture's still not in focus, my daughter Miranda (the 10 year old graduate) is today's guest poet, here with the ditty du jour:

Keys

                                                        My mom lost her keys.  I found

                                                        Them       with ease.  Turns out

                                                        They        were

                                                         In the      car.

                                                         Wow, Mom.

© 2013 Miranda Barnes.  All rights reserved.

This scatterbrained mother could not be more proud.  Happy Graduation, Sweetheart!  I see a bright and creative future ahead of you... but don't even think about dating or borrowing the car keys for another 20 years.  (Just kidding... 12-15 will do.)

Anyone else planning to be at the SCBWI conference in Orlando?  Would love to meet up with new Poetry Friday friends.

And speaking of Poetry Friday, don't forget to check out today's round up, hosted by the delightful Jama, at Jama's Alphabet Soup!