So Much Shel

"Bring in the poetry to get the language in so you can get the language out. Poetry is the silver pencil of writers, the golden spoon of language, and the heart and soul of our inner most thoughts." Lisa @ Effective Teaching Strategies.

"Rehearsing and rereading poetry gives readers a shared experience with literature. Many poems are short and lend themselves to repeated readings. With rehearsal, reading poems aloud enables students to feel the joy of successful fluent reaing, encouraging attention to expression and intonation." Fluency in Focus Mary Lee Prescott and Nancy L. Witherell

To build classroom environment, I am creating a book display devoted to a "featured poet". I'll start the year with Shel Silverstein.

I created the bulletin board letters in Microsoft Publisher. Shel's caricature adds to the fun. I'm off to visit the laminator.

Shel Silverstein's most popular children titles inclued Falling Up, A Light in the Attic, A Giraffe and a Half, The Giving Tree, Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?

Characters in Class

I've been surfing for author caricatures to hang on the walls of my classroom. One way to enlarge clipart is by making a copy on a transparency. I then project the image on a piece of butcher paper. You can make the image as large or small as you like. Once you have the size you want, trace the image onto the butcher paper. These caricatures are 2 feet tall. Laminate your project for durability.

I'm hoping these "characters" will speak to my class about the importance and fun of reading.