Kinds of Poetry

Module 3

Kinds of Poetry

Bibliography

Creech, Sharon. 2001. Love That Dog. New York, New York: HarperCollins Children’s, Inc. ISBN 0-06-029287-3.

Critical Analysis

Sharon Creech's Love That Dog is a creative, humorous and delightful free verse novel about a little boy named Jack, who doesn’t like poetry. Through narrative poetry, Jack’s story chronicles how a boy learns to love, write and illustrates his love for his dog. Also, the narrative poems reveal how Jack develops an appreciation for words and images. Finally, the narrative poems presents Jack’s relationship with his teacher,  Miss Stretchberry, who aids Jacks with building a high regard for poetry and to believe he has something to say through his poetry.

In Sharon Creech’s, Love that Dog, she examines what makes a poem and and a poet. Creech encourages the reader to have confidence in their ability to love and create poetry.

Follow Up Activity

Throughout the week, during story time, read Sharon Creech’s book LoveThat Dog. In a group discussion with students in second grade, have students turn and talk with their partner about Jack’s early responses to poetry. The teacher will point out that many of the students in second grade are just like Jack and do not understand many of the poems they read or hear. Tell the students that it’s fine not to “get” a poem the first time it is read or heard. Ask students to follow Jack’s responses to William Carlos Williams’ poem “The Red Wheelbarrow.” Have students turn and talk about Jack’s overall lack of appreciation for the poem to his replication and reverence of it. The teacher will inform students of a poem she didn’t like the first time she read or heard it, and in time, how the poem grew on her. Finally, have the students turn and talk about the poems in Love That Dog that they didn’t like the first time they read or listened to the poem read to them. Then have students read the poem to their partner and talk about why they now like the poem.

For the second activity, have student reread Love That Dog with a partner. Have students discuss their favorite part of the poem. Ask students if they have or had a pet they love like Jack love for Sky. Allow students to compose a poem about their pet. The students will type their poem on the computers in the lab. As noted in Love That Dog, follow the publishing process. Student’s poems are to be displayed on the lockers, walls, and picture window inside of the classroom.

Highlighted Poem

Love That Dog

(Inspired By Walter Dean Myers)

By Jack

Written By Sharon Creech

Love That Dog

Like a bird loves to fly,

I said I love that dog

Like a bird loves to fly

Love to call him in the morning

Love to call him

“Hey there, Sky!”