Today, I took advantage of a rare day of light classes and meetings to work with a fellow colleague (co-conspirator?) to develop poetry units for a couple of grade levels. Sure, we knew we needed to use the Common Core Standards as the basis for content, but c’mon. It’s POETRY. We want our units centered around these ideas:
– it’s FUN to play with language!
– poetry is meant to be read aloud
– we can build literary analysis through meaningful responses and feedback to one another
Short list, tall order.
Boy, was I grateful I had my fellow colleague (partner-in-crime?) along for the ride. I’m the Google-Earth-big-picture-pie-in-the-sky-big-dreams planner, and she is the nuts-and-bolts-how-is-this-going-to-work-and-does-it-do-what-it-needs-to-do planner. Together, we settled ourselves in to work out our approach to planning. I think we might be on to something kids will enjoy learning, and teachers might enjoy teaching. I guess you could say my fellow colleague (aider and abettor?) found our rhythm (rhyme, simile, metaphor…).
Funny thing our work today comes hot on the heels of me talking about how powerful collaboration is for my students. Go figure that the universe is out there doing her thing, reminding me yet again to live how I teach…
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Now you have me curious as to what you two planned out. I loved teaching poetry to my 4th graders. Paint chip poetry was the simplest & most creative they learned to craft.
Thanks! I finished working on the unit today, and I’m really excited (but nervous) to have shared it with my colleagues. I may post more about how we structured the units. Just…praying…it’s as fun to teach and learn as I hope it is!
With your big picture ideas and your colleague’s nuts and bolts approach, you were able to tweak the perfect lesson(s) for the students. Collaboration leads to success.
It sure does! And since I don’t have any job-alikes in my district, I’m especially grateful for the chance to work with others.
I love the yin-yang in your story and personalities. I’m kind of wishing I could participate in your poetry unit. :)
Thanks! I’m excited about it, and I just hope hope hope the teachers and kids are as pleased with it as we were.
Sounds like you have a great match in your co-conspirator! Wishing you continued collaboration and inspiration. How lucky your students are. ❤️
We work well together, for sure! I’m always grateful for the chance.