Just last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Dublin, OH for the Dublin Literacy Conference. I got to see old friends and even made some new ones too! While I was there I did a presentation on using poetry in the classroom. You might remember last month's chalk where I did a multi-leveled lesson and had the kids build a poem. Well, we did the same thing using a mentor text from George Ella Lyon and chalked our own Where I'm From poem.
If you haven't heard George Ella Lyon read Where I'm From, it is worth a listen and very inspiring. Below I have a video with Lyon doing the reading. It is quite unique.
Now onto the chalk! We started by talking literally about where we were from. Then we dug a little deeper. After listening to George Ella Lyon read where she is from, we were inspired. Those present wrote their own, Where I'm From, poem and chose their favorite line.
Here, Tony Keefer, a new poetry friend, tapes his line onto the poem that the group built together.
Below is the completed chalk poem.
Thankful for sadness,
mistakes and rebirth.
I'm from loving arms
I am from the connections of
friends and long stretches of
solitude.
I am from playing with
neighbors-kick-the-can
in the evening hours.
I am from warm hugs
and licking the
batter off the spoon
I am from green
meadows
I am from pizza
Friday and summer camp.
Dublin was an amazing place to visit and have the experience of chalking together. I hope you will visit the other chalkers in the comments as well as all the Poetry Friday peeps!
Poetry Friday is hosted by Anastasia at Poet! Poet!
Quick addition:
I have a question for you, do you want to order a Chalk-A-Bration t-shirt? I am in the process of trying to decide if there is enough interest for ordering. Here is a view of what the t-shirt would look like if you would like to order one online. The downfall of this is there would be a limited time to order and the cost would be $30 (no profit). The other alternative is for me to make a shirt that is less expensive but could be ordered through me, shipped to you or sold when I get the chance to meet you at a conference. Let me know your thoughts on the idea!
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15 comments:
Wonderful to see, and read, Betsy. I bet everyone had such a great time! I'm struggling with posting on the Pinterest board, but did do a 'sort of' chalk poem for you - on snow again! Fun to look forward to and to be slicing with you starting soon!
Check out her inventive chalk for the day at http://www.teacherdance.org/2014/02/poetry-friday-pinning-and-snow-chalking.html
This group poem came together beautifully. (My son is definitely from pizza.)
I love the building of an I am From poem. An idea I may steal. I am interested in a t-shirt but not sure I want to pay $30. If you can get it printed yourself and ship it, you may get overwhelmed. I would be interested in getting them for my students if the price were lower. Tough decision.
My kids responded to color names(inspired by Laura Shovan's project) today for their chalkabration: http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/colors-chalkabration/
What a poem. What a video. It sounds like a very effective (and affective) experience.
If I can get an overwhelming response I can project a higher order and the price will go down. Not sure what exactly to do right now.
Such a fabulous chalking and coming to know here. (I am from licking the batter from a spoon too!)
Thanks for sharing the link! I just came back because I remembered that I hadn't done so. Also, sorry, but don't want a t-shirt-I just have too many already. It's a great design, though!
Wonderful video -- love the project. Great job! I am also from licking the batter from the spoon :).
Wow. "From perk up and pipe down." What a line. "Leaf litter from the family tree." Powerful stuff, especially with the accompanying video of old pictures. Thank you for posting this today!
I had to break out the iPad again for today's chalk but I still had fun. I look forward to getting my fingers dusty again...soon, I hope! I'm in for a t-shirt either way you decide to do it. It's a great design!
http://teachingtomorrowsleaders.blogspot.com/2014/02/february-chalk-bration.html
Betsy,
Oh, good times. Your post today makes me smile. Your session was inspiring and made me want to write a little poetry.
Today I wanted to join your Chalk-A-Bration but, let's be honest, it's still below freezing. There is still snow on the ground in places and they say more is coming. Woe is me. I decided my Chalk Board app would have to do. So here's a quick little wish in chalk:
http://merelydaybyday.blogspot.com/2014/02/time-to-chalk.html
Hello there Betsy, this does sound like a wonderful chalk-a-bration experience! This is my favorite line from your collaborative poetry:
"I am from the connections of
friends and long stretches of
solitude."
Beautiful! :)
I wish I could have gone to EVERY session at #DubLit14. I made do with getting a hug and capturing your smile before the whirlwind began!
Love, love, love, Betsy! Especially the lines:
"I am from playing with
neighbors-kick-the-can
in the evening hours."
Though, during my childhood it was Hide-and-Seek. Brought me right back to Ord Way! Thanks for sharing. = )
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