Module 5
Poetry Performance
Performance Poetry
For Two Voices
Bibliographic Citation
Rubin, Robert Alden. 1995. Poetry Out Loud. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. ISBN 978-1565121225.
Critical Analysis
Poetry Out Loud is an enjoyable and easy to read compilation of poems edited by Robert Alden Rubin. James Earl Jones, a renowned American actor, provides the introduction for Rubin’s collection of poems. In the introduction, Jones shares with the reader how reciting poetry as a youngster, aided him with finding his own voice and conquering a speech impediment. Finally, Robert Alden Rubin offers marginal commentary which points out fundamental poetic terms and suggestions on how to recite each poem.
Follow-Up Activity
In this activity, children will work in groups to brainstorm a list of words that rhyme with sniffle. These rhyming words may include nonsense words. Next, students will divide and cut their papers with their list of rhyming words about sniffles and then try and put them all together to create their own poem entitled The Sniffle. Allow each group an opportunity to recite their version of the poem. Finally, display each group’s poem on the wall for all students to read.
Highlighted Poem
The Sniffle
By Ogden Nash.
In spite of her sniffle,
Isabel’s chiffle.
Some girls with a sniffle
Would be weepy and tiffle;
They would look awful,
Like a rained-on waffle,
But Isabel’s chiffle
In spite of her sniffle.
Her nose is more red
With a cold in her head,
But then, to be sure,
Her eyes are bluer.
Some girls with a snuffle,
Their tempers are uffle,
But when Isabel’s snivelly,
She’s snivelly civilly,
And when she is snuffly
She’s perfectly luffly.
Hopkins Award Poetry
Bibliographic Citation
Myers, Walter Dean. 2006. Jazz. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House Book. ISBN 978-0-8234-1545.
Critical Analysis
Walter Dean Myers’ collection of eighteen poems celebrates the rich heritage of jazz music and offers the reader a valuable resource for the study of jazz. Myers introduces his assortment of poems with a thorough account of what jazz is and how it has developed over the years. Each poem in Myers book is on a two page spread, with the exception of “Three Voices.” This is a triplet of poems with the individual poems entitled, “Bass,” “Piano,” and “Horn.” In each of these three poems, Myers creates a rhythm that matches the instrument. The end of Myers book includes a glossary, jazz terminology and a timeline of jazz music. Walter Dean Myers creates rhythmic poems that reverberates the sounds of jazz.
Christopher Myers, the son of Walter Dean Myers, illustrations are in black ink on acetate and placing it over acrylic produces culturally realistic drawings that compliments his father’s wonderful poems. Each of Christopher Myers pictures is daring, vivid and inviting to the reader. The poems and illustrations flawlessly work together to generate the mood of jazz in print.
Follow-Up Activity
On the computer, access the Jazz Kid website. Navigate to the Now and Then section. Allow students to read the biography of Louis Armstrong, and listen to any samples of compositions by him available on the website. Explain to the students that you will be reading listening and reading poems in the book Jazz. Read aloud the poem Horn and tell the students that this poem is about jazz great Louis Armstrong. Lead a discussion about the poem and what they learned about jazz.
Read more on TeacherVision:http://www.teachervision.fen.com/music-styles/lesson-plan/4743.html#ixzz1IWSZURaZ
Highlighted Poem
Horn
By Walter Dean Myers
What can I add with my horn?
Is it a new sound born because we are
Together?
Or is it just a melody that’s leading me
To where I want to be and loosed from
My tether?
And is it really not surprising that our
Spirits are all rising and drawing us
Even higher
Three souls on fire
Um-hmmm
Sidman Poetry
Bibliographic Citation
Sidman, Joyce. 2009. Red Sings from treetops: A Year in Colors. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. New YorK: Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 978-0-547-01494-4.
Critical Analysis
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors is a superb book of poetic prose written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. This book of poetry is bursting with beautiful imagery and rhythmic language. The illustrations are colorful, eye-catching Caldecott Honor award winning works of art. The illustrations are on wood blocks that are painted and collaged to create a breathtaking story in verse about the four seasons. The colorful visions of the seasons are easy to discern from the various photos.
Follow-Up Activity
Read aloud the poem Spring to the children. Tell the students that they will draw pictures of their favorite season from the book and write a sentence about it or work with a partner and create their own poem about their favorite season and illustrate their work. Children may base their drawings on the illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski or use their imagination to create their own creation.
Highlighted Poem
Spring
By Joyce Sidman
In SPRING,
Red sings
from treetops:
cheer-cheer-cheer,
each note dropping
like a cherry
into my ear.
Red turns
the maples feathery,
sprouts in rhubarb spears;
Red squirms on the road after rain.
