Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Poetry Cafe


I love admiring this picture.  For me, there's something so very peaceful about it.  It represents nine months of blossoming for 24 young little thinkers.  I took this on the day of our Poetry Cafe (inspired by Marie, my teammate, who found an amazing post about a teacher who knew how to put on a great Poetry Cafe - look here and you'll be impressed).  Each of my poets got to sit in the limelight and read one of their published poems while the other poets sat on the floor quietly awaiting their turn and teaching the adults who came to join us how to be poetically cool and snap after each reading.  (The black curtain is a Dollar Store tablecloth.  I love how simple and perfect and cheap it is.)

As our guests arrived, two of my kids stood at the door and welcomed them with their greetings, as well as a program.  We had lots of guests too.  Only five of my kids weren't represented by an adult.

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They were encouraged to wear jeans and black t-shirts.  Berets were also mentioned as an option, and a handful took me up on that.  They were pretty cute and very poetic looking.


Each poet got to read their poem into our new sound system.  You can see this little poet holding onto the microphone that fits around the neck.  It definitely came in handy for some of our quiet readers and noisier guests.

I also read a poem of mine.  I read my Where I am From poem, which my kids also wrote during our unit.  In fact, a few chose to read theirs at our Poetry Cafe.  I recently posted about them.  (Look here.  You'll find a template.)  Anyway, I didn't plan on crying, but the minute I sat down, I knew I was in trouble.  I cried through the whole thing and could tell the tears were a bit contagious for the adults in the room too.  Poetry and a blessed life and a year spent with little people who have grown so much can do that to a person.

Every year my poets celebrate the end of our unit by publishing their poetry in a poetry anthology.  This year was no different, except that I decided to pass them out at the end of our Poetry Cafe as a perfect way to end a perfect moment.  The cookies were an added bonus.


I'm very grateful that Marie suggested we give this Poetry Cafe idea a shot.  I knew it was going to be worth it.  I just didn't know how much.  (The parents raved about it, by the way.)  I've definitely found a new tradition.  









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18 comments:

  1. So cool! I wish I could have been there. I'd love to see your poem.

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  2. Wow!! I would have loved to have been there to hear their wonderful poems. How fun!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, it was a lot of fun. I wish you could have heard them too.

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  3. I love it!! So wish I could have been there for that. You are such an inspiration. Hugs!
    Lisa

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    1. Lisa, thank you! Sorry we didn't have one last year with Garrett. :)

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  4. I did a Poetry Cafe a few years ago and I had so much fun with it! The kids and the parents loved it. Yours looks great!

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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    1. Sara, they are lots of fun, huh? I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yours too.

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  5. My class will be having our Poetry Cafe on Friday. The kids are so excited! I also put all of their poems together and printed a Poetry Anthology for each of them. I love the way you set up your room for your Poetry Cafe. I hope you don't mind if I copy a few of your ideas. Thanks for sharing!!!!!
    Connie Anderson:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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    1. Connie, please do copy, and have lots of fun on Friday. I'm sure it will go so well!

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  6. This looks like so much fun! I might have to do this next year. =)

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  7. It sounds absolutely fabulous! I've done a few in years past, but not as authentic as yours.

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    1. Barb, it was a lot of fun. I think the kids did feel like real poets.

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  8. I HAVE to do this. So fabulous! Reminds me of Anastasia Krupnik.

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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    1. Kimberley, let me know if you do. I'm going to have to look up Anastasia Krupnik. :)

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