So much depends
upon
Giggly fourth
graders
Writing new
poems
And finding their
power
simplicity. specificity. clarity. there are worse things to teach…
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Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
I love simplicity. Why get bogged down with lots of superfluous words when short and simple makes the point? And sometimes more directly.
exactly! it was so cool to watch the ten-minute transition from the kids thinking, “what is this thing?” to “WHOA, this has layers!”
The teaching may be challenging. In the end though you will have a wonderful student poetry celebration. I am reading your post after I wrote mine, and I too mention William Carlos Williams in my slice, in a different context.
ooh! I can’t wait to read it!
A delightful and important lesson…modeled well! Nice slice!
Thank you! We had fun with it.
WCW was one of my favorite authors to teach. Sometimes there is more that is said with what’s missing than there is in including the details. Write on, fourth graders!
Absolutely! I’ve been trying to teach my kids that sometimes the most important craft move is to RE-move. They’re starting to catch on!
Poems are power. I love teaching poetry to young writers.
I agree. It’s such an accessible way to get them to sense the power of their words.
Oh, an excellent poem on its own merit and a most wonderful nod to the poet himself! And a excellent way to introduce kids to the beauty of succinct and unrhymed poetry.
From the moment I read it as a teen – I have not been able and will never be able to eat a plum without thinking of “This Is Just To Say”
oh YES. That’s another amazing poem, full and ripe as those plums that were in the ice box…