Please Invite Me to Your School During National Poetry Month

One of my major goals in life is to turn kids on to poetry. That's why I love getting invited to schools. My mantra is: Poetry Promotes Literacy & Laughter. You can see by the following photos that boys and girls enjoy my slice of poetry...And the adults as well. Invite me to your school, and we will all have a good time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check Out the Cat's Caption

Great cat caption, eh? I love the look on this feline's face. 101 SECRETS! discusses how important animals are in our lives, especially "rescuing" them.

NOW FOURTH ON BOOKLOCKER'S TOP TEN!

101 SECRETS is now Fourth on the Top Ten! Why buy this book?

With this Ebook you will learn how you can help preteens in your life deal with emotional monsters in a constructive way. This self-help guide for tweens and adults offers suggestions, wisdom, and encouraging stories that will deflate the worse fears and habits of preteens. Preteens will learn to deal more effectively  with their worries, insecurities, anger, blame, bullies, and fear itself.

They will discover strategies for making friends, doing better in school, learning how to be happier and more purposeful in life—starting today! This is a must-read book for preteens, teens, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, principals, and all those adults who frequently guide the lives of children.

The 101 SECRETS! are designed to provide inspiration and hope for all tweens by a teacher of thirty-three years. Joe Sottile has taught over 1,000 students, and many of them claim that he was their “favorite teacher” because Joe knew and demonstrated these secrets, the power of words, and humor in the classroom every day.

http://booklocker.com/

New Ebook By Joe Sottile--101 SECRETS!

With this Ebook you will learn how you can help preteens in your life deal with emotional monsters in a constructive way. This self-help guide for tweens and adults offers suggestions, wisdom, and encouraging stories that will deflate the worse fears and habits of preteens. Preteens will learn to deal more effectively  with their worries, insecurities, anger, blame, bullies, and fear itself.

They will discover strategies for making friends, doing better in school, learning how to be happier and more purposeful in life—starting today! This is a must-read book for preteens, teens, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, principals, and all those adults who frequently guide the lives of children.

The 101 SECRETS! are designed to provide inspiration and hope for all tweens by a teacher of thirty-three years. Joe Sottile has taught over 1,000 students, and many of them claim that he was their “favorite teacher” because Joe knew and demonstrated these secrets, the power of words, and humor in the classroom every day.

$4.99 at... http://booklocker.com/books/6026.html

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WRITE POETRY

During my 33-year career as an elementary school teacher in Gates, NY, I also became a poet. I became a poet partly because I loved the poetry of Shel Silverstein, especially Where the Sidewalk Ends, and also I wanted to share my ideas and sense of humor with my own students. So I started writing poems for them and my two daughters. Writing lots of poems not only made me a better writer and a better poet, but it also inspired my students and my own children to express themselves through writing poetry.

Learning to write poetry--that is, carefully selecting a few words to express an idea--not only helps a child express what is in his soul, but it also helps him learn to think precisely. So I encourage all parents to help their kids write poetry.

One way you can help your child write poetry is to encourage them to write poems by using a "recipe" for the poem, or simply by completing sentences in an organized manner.

Each month on my web site, www.joe-sottile.com, I host a poetry contest for kids. I usually post a new recipe poem and samples to encourage kids to write poetry. These poems don't have to be great to win. They have to be interesting. Here are the instructions for entering my monthly contest.

Poetry Exercises for Parents to Use With Kids

What follows are three partial poems from Picture Poetry on Parade. You have my permission to use these with your kids or students. I got the idea for using the "IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL POEM," when I visited a fourth grade class. The teacher who loved poetry gave the class the choice of asking me a question about writing or reading me their version of the school poem. Most chose to read to me. They were delighted by what they had created and a chance to share. I thought that some of their lines were better than mine!

So parents, please give the following a try. Writing poetry isn't difficult if the writer has a "recipe." That's what the next three poems are all about. After writing the poems, your child will enjoy sharing them with others. I hope he or she does that. Write on!

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank!

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL
(As the student sees it...)

By __________________________

Everyone would be transported to school by________________

Every desk would have a built-in_________________________

Every wing of the building would have its own______________

Every side of the building would have a jumbo______________

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL

The lunchroom would be ___________________________________

Tests would be ___________________________________________

The school week would be__________________________________

Each week there would be___________________________________

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL

The Gum Chewing Policy would be_______________________________

The Homework Policy would be__________________________________

The Dress Code Policy would be_________________________________

The Promotion Policy would be__________________________________

Based on the original poem in Picture Poetry on Parade by Joe Sottile

---

 More Ideas for Interesting Poems!

In Picture Poetry on Parade, on page 28 there is the poem "CAN'T WRITE TODAY." Well, we all get writer's block at times. Here are the first four lines of my poem. You can make yours as long as you like, just be sure the last line is "Can't write today!" That line is a good ending that brings the reader back to the end of the beginning of the poem. Writers like to do that.

CAN'T WRITE TODAY
By __________________________

I can't write today because my paper is wrinkled.

I can't write today because I didn't eat my breakfast.

I can't write today because my dog barfed on the kitchen floor.

I can't write today because I left my homework at home.

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today!

As you can see, I like repetition. It's one of my favorite poetic tools. When I visit schools and libraries, kids love chanting the repetitious parts back. It makes the visit interactive and extra fun. On page 4 in Picture Poetry on Parade is the poem "ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL." In the school where I taught for twenty years, many of the teachers read this poem to their classes on the first day of school. The first five lines of the poem follows. You can create your own ending too.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
By ____________________________

I was worried that Mom would forget to kiss me good-bye.

I was worried the school bus would pass my stop.

I was worried I'd get into a fight at the bus stop.

I was worried that I had toothpaste on my cheek.

I was worried that I would never find my classroom.

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

These poetry recipes will bring out the best in young poets. Why not give them a try? And please encourage your child to enter Silly Sottile’s Monthly Poetry Contest.

---

© 2011, Joe Sottile

During my 33-year career as an elementary school teacher in Gates, NY, I also became a poet. I became a poet partly because I loved the poetry of Shel Silverstein, especially Where the Sidewalk Ends, and also I wanted to share my ideas and sense of humor with my own students. So I started writing poems for them and my two daughters. Writing lots of poems not only made me a better writer and a better poet, but it also inspired my students and my own children to express themselves through writing poetry.

Learning to write poetry--that is, carefully selecting a few words to express an idea--not only helps a child express what is in his soul, but it also helps him learn to think precisely. So I encourage all parents to help their kids write poetry.

One way you can help your child write poetry is to encourage them to write poems by using a "recipe" for the poem, or simply by completing sentences in an organized manner.

Each month on my web site, www.joe-sottile.com, I host a poetry contest for kids. I usually post a new recipe poem and samples to encourage kids to write poetry. These poems don't have to be great to win. They have to be interesting. Here are the instructions for entering my monthly contest.

Poetry Exercises for Parents to Use With Kids

What follows are three partial poems from Picture Poetry on Parade. You have my permission to use these with your kids or students. I got the idea for using the "IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL POEM," when I visited a fourth grade class. The teacher who loved poetry gave the class the choice of asking me a question about writing or reading me their version of the school poem. Most chose to read to me. They were delighted by what they had created and a chance to share. I thought that some of their lines were better than mine!

So parents, please give the following a try. Writing poetry isn't difficult if the writer has a "recipe." That's what the next three poems are all about. After writing the poems, your child will enjoy sharing them with others. I hope he or she does that. Write on!

Exercise 1: Fill in the blank!

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL
(As the student sees it...)

By __________________________

Everyone would be transported to school by________________

Every desk would have a built-in_________________________

Every wing of the building would have its own______________

Every side of the building would have a jumbo______________

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL

The lunchroom would be ___________________________________

Tests would be ___________________________________________

The school week would be__________________________________

Each week there would be___________________________________

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL

The Gum Chewing Policy would be_______________________________

The Homework Policy would be__________________________________

The Dress Code Policy would be_________________________________

The Promotion Policy would be__________________________________

Based on the original poem in Picture Poetry on Parade by Joe Sottile

---

 More Ideas for Interesting Poems!

In Picture Poetry on Parade, on page 28 there is the poem "CAN'T WRITE TODAY." Well, we all get writer's block at times. Here are the first four lines of my poem. You can make yours as long as you like, just be sure the last line is "Can't write today!" That line is a good ending that brings the reader back to the end of the beginning of the poem. Writers like to do that.

CAN'T WRITE TODAY
By __________________________

I can't write today because my paper is wrinkled.

I can't write today because I didn't eat my breakfast.

I can't write today because my dog barfed on the kitchen floor.

I can't write today because I left my homework at home.

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today because____________________________________________

I can't write today!

As you can see, I like repetition. It's one of my favorite poetic tools. When I visit schools and libraries, kids love chanting the repetitious parts back. It makes the visit interactive and extra fun. On page 4 in Picture Poetry on Parade is the poem "ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL." In the school where I taught for twenty years, many of the teachers read this poem to their classes on the first day of school. The first five lines of the poem follows. You can create your own ending too.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
By ____________________________

I was worried that Mom would forget to kiss me good-bye.

I was worried the school bus would pass my stop.

I was worried I'd get into a fight at the bus stop.

I was worried that I had toothpaste on my cheek.

I was worried that I would never find my classroom.

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

I was worried_______________________________

These poetry recipes will bring out the best in young poets. Why not give them a try? And please encourage your child to enter Silly Sottile’s Monthly Poetry Contest.

---

© 2011, Joe Sottile

Do You Want to Write and Blog More?

Do you want to string together some effective blogs or poems? There's only one way to do it: Putt butt on chair, and do it. There's no magic potent or silver thread. I now have Jim Denney's essential habits of writing hanging right near my computer. Maybe it will inspire you too:

Seven Essential Habits of a Working Writer are:

1. Write Daily
2. Cultivate the Art of Solitude Amid Distractions
3. Write Quickly and With Intensity
4. Set Ambitious But Achievable Goals
5. Focus!
6. Finish What You Start and Submit What You Finish
7. Believe You Can

Jim Denney

“In writing, habit seems to be a much stronger force than either willpower or inspiration.”~~John Steinbeck

A Poem

I feel a rush of joy when I discover a poem that speaks to me. I especially like quotations or poems about the writing process. Here’s one that I recently discovered…




A Poem                                          


By John Travers Moore

A poem must be waited,

Not sought after,

Enjoyed,

Not worried about,

Written spontaneously,

Not over-worked,

But built with enthusiasm,

Not despair,

Created for self

Not neighbor

Filled with music

Not studied cadence—

It makes its own rules

By it is own right

Whether in a pattern

Or on a new trail.

But a above all,

A poem must be demanded by itself.



Copyright 1971 from Poems: On Writing Poetry


Libra Publishers, Inc, page 19


John Travers Moore's poetry has appeared in the New York Times, Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, Horn Book, Child Life, among other publications.

A Must-Have-Book!

My friend is out with a new book. Read all about it!!!

If They Don’t Learn the Way You Teach, Teach Them the Way They Learn is a must-read book for all elementary teachers. It is written for teachers and by a terrific teacher. If you were fortunate enough to have Mrs. Mc Taggart as a teacher, she would have brought out the best in you as a learner and as a person. As you read the book, which is chockfull of suggestions, encouragement, recommendations, and real life teaching stories, Mrs. Mc Taggart’s gifts as a teacher become rather apparent. And if you couldn’t have her for a teacher, I can see you begging the principal in June to assign your child to her class. Fortunately, she is able to write about her role as dynamic teacher in a way that is informative and entertaining.


Mrs. Mc Taggart is retired from everyday classroom activities after forty-two glorious years in the classroom. She is now an advocate for increasing literacy wherever she goes. Her major goal is to transform reluctant readers into avid readers. She does this by operating an interactive Website; mentoring educators; conducting reading and writing workshops, and speaking at IRA conferences.

Now she has created a book about teaching that offers hands-on activities—from “chair bags” to graphic novels--that will encourage kids to become more active readers. I love Chapter 7, “Just One More Chapter—Please!” When you have kids begging that you read more to them, you know that you are doing something right in the classroom. It reminded me my days as a teacher reading Judy Blume’s TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING to my class. My students always wanted another chapter, and they would be “extra good” if I rewarded them at the end of the day with one more chapter. Of course, this book is on Mrs. Mc Taggart’s reading list (page 115) for you with many other gems.

Mrs. Mc Taggart doesn’t let grass grow under her feet. She keeps abreast with changing tides of educational trends through magazines, newspapers, and most importantly by meeting hundreds of teachers at conferences and in schools who “keep me up to date on new materials, new Websites and new methods.”

So here you have a book that will inspire kids to read and write more as they journey from one grade level to the next. And best of all, Mrs. Mc Taggart will make you laugh aloud along the way with her sense of humor and non-pretentiousness. Mrs. Mc Taggart has retired, but she has not loss her class.

Sunshine On My Shoulders

While watching a taped concert of John Denver for the third time on WXXI, I was feeling rather nostalgic. I loved his music. I have several of his albums.I play them in the car and in my writing den. So I was wondering about his plane crash. I did a little research on the Internet. I discovered that God really wanted John with Him in Heaven because John was a rather experienced pilot. Research on the accident strongly suggests that John's hand hit the wrong button and he went into a dive on taking off that he could not correct.

John Denver was an amazing singer and performer. There are many singers, artists, and writers that strive to be like John: amazing and entertaining. And we are all trying to communicate the same thing, just like he is quoted as saying:

“My purpose in performing is to communicate the joy I experience in living.”

Knowing our purpose in life makes for a poetic life one way or another.

Get a Great Writing Newsletter for Free!

Donna is a special lady. She has a passion for writing and sharing what she knows about writing. I had the pleasure of meeting her at a writing conference a few years ago. She is offering a FREE newsletter, “Write What Inspires You”. It contains an author interview a book review, writers’ accomplishments, testimonials, and writing contests.

According to Donna’ s website, she “…is a native of Rockland County, New York and lives with her husband and two daughters. She writes, moms, and is a personal assistant from her home in Tappan. Donna is a 2007 graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, Writing for Children and Teenagers program and as of January 1, 2009, Donna is the Marketing Manager at Stories for Children Magazine. She is also a member of "Musing Our Children".

Go sign up for your FREE newsletter at http://www.donnamcdine.com. You will enjoy this publication!