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WRITING POETRY IN THE LIBRARY:
Program for Grades K-5

Workshop at the Indian Valley Public Library - July 20th 2012

When the children’s librarian at the Indian Valley Library requested a poetry writing program about the moon and stars, Poetrywits developed a plan using THE MOON by Robert Louis Stevenson and A FALLING STAR by Sara Teasdale.

First we looked at closeup pictures of the moon and discussed children’s experiences with the moon and stars. We also identified a falling star as a meteorite. The older children even knew they originate often in comets. We talked about their periodic appearances as meteor showers.

After reading the poems and answering questions we offered several prompts: “The moon has a face…, A falling star….A wish…..” Children and parents who attended all wrote poems on cut-out stars and crescent moon patterns. The youngest children dictated their poems to their parents. Some wrote several poems. Then we shared our poems and had a snack.

The librarian plans to display the work on a bulletin board.

This actually turned into a multi-generational program. It was unexpected fun to include parents’ ideas and poems.

Lesson Plan
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Deconstruct poems, Hands-on activity, Discuss writing prompts
11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Poetry Writing
11:45 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. - Poetry Reading
11:55 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Conclusion & Refreshments

Program Materials
- Poems ('The Moon' by Robert Louis Stevenson and 'A Falling Star' by Sara Teasdale)
- Writing utensils (pencils, crayons, magic markers)
- Patterns of moon and stars
- Refreshments (lemonade and pretzel sticks)

Photos from the Workshop: