This book is a little touch and go for me. I’ve never fully grasped poetry and meanings that other people pull from something I have just read do not usually match up. Not that this is a bad thing, I am not a very abstract thinker. I like stability and meaning and sometimes interpretation can be interesting, but other times I feel like it is too read into to try to be something else.
However, I am enjoying this book to an extent because when we do pick certain poems and discuss them, I feel that I am learning more about poetry and how everyone’s mind thinks differently and poetry is a great outlet for students to be creative and not have “right or wrong” answers.
WRITING AND COMPOSING WITH MY STUDENTS
I believe it is very important to write along with my students, give examples, and help with ideas. I want to be an example for my students and be excited about writing and have my journal to show them how much I write, edit, and revise. If I am not excited, my students will not be excited. Examples definitely help students with their own writing. Some students will run away with ideas and fill their notebooks with great determination. Other students will need a bit more guidance and those are the students that will benefit most from me composing along with them and showing my excitement.
Thank you for posting. I appreciate your ideas and honesty. I cannot wait to revise our simple little paper clip poem…what are your thoughts on writing and composing with your students?