Fun with Poetry

I love teaching poetry! It is such a wonderful way to express thoughts, whether they are serious or silly. Words can be used so beautifully, and poetry is an excellent example of that.

All classes had lessons on Onomatopoeia, which is a big fancy word for when words sound like their meaning. Words like:

Boom

Crack

Sizzle

Click

Honk

Splash

I bet you can think of a hundred more!

The "Budding" class had the assignment to fill in the blanks about the season of spring. The "Awesome" classes were challenged to use Onomatopoeia, and at least one more tool, like rhyme, repetition, or alliteration. Enjoy these samples!

by Audrey, 3rd grade

Purring

by Sophia (6th grade)

Cats they purr

Their beautiful fur

Warming in the sun

Outside

All the day they run

Inside

Sleeping is their idea of fun

Rulers of the house they preside

And when our day is finally done

We do our work; they sit beside

And when our day again has begun

Never to us does it occur

They watch us

Purring

Swish! By Dhruv, 6th grade

Swish! the ball falling through the net,

Pound, slap! that’s a foul, ref!

free throws

Whoo, deep breath

Bang! it's good!

next shot, slap!

and one!!!!!!

for the win . . . . .

the buzzer ticking down

tick, tick, tick, 

down by 2 . . . 

other team cheering . . . 

“Haha, they have no chance”

my muscles tense, eagerness

boils up . . .

 3 . . . 2 . . .

1 . . . . . . . all or nothing . . . . .

pull-up three . . . . . . 

SPLASH!!!! Swish!!!! Bang!!!! MO-NEY!!!!!

Crowd erupts, buzzer confirms our win with a BEEEEEEEEP . . . . 

A Fine, Ferocious, Furry Friend

By Liam (5th grade)

In the Arctic, where it snows,

The animals only saw one fire glow.

The little Eskimos were filled with delight, 

Even on this dark and gloomy night.

The Eskimos could've sworn,

A little cub was about to be born.

They crept up to the den, not making a tweet,

For this adorable cub was asleep.

They knew this was the greatest miracle of l life,

This truly was the greatest night.

A Raindrop's Day
by Tyler (5th grade)

I was born in a cloud

So dark and proud

My brothers and sisters

Cuddled and talked in whispers

Then my mom set us free

And then we screamed, "Wheeee!"

Down to the Earth we fell

We knew our day would end well.

In a field of flowers we landed

The flowers drank us all up

I was happy I could help them sup.

Poetry Madness

By: Lucas (5th grade)

Scritch Scratch goes the pen, 

It’s poetry time again.

I’m so mad at Mrs. Huff,

She makes us write this stuff!

A poem I cannot write, 

Not a chance that I might.

But after all this time, 

To write a poem sounds fine.

Ancestral Journey

By Veronica (6th grade)

Primitive instincts come back to me

as the heavy load

trailed swiftly behind

a corner comes up and

I’m 

          ready

to

swerve.

The dogs after me

sprint swiftly

as the musher shouts

and whips

all about. 

Sometimes

serving is a pride,

but other times

it

is

passionless

work. 

Great Inventions!

     After our study of Thomas Edison, we wrote 5-paragraph essays describing an invention we came up with ourselves!  I love witnessing the students' growth in this project over the years.  Many times, they start off as younger students with quite self-centered inventions, but as they get older, they create inventions that will help the world!  I hope we can see these inventions come to reality in my lifetime!  
     How did these amazing essays come to be?  The following outline:
1. Name your product and briefly describe it
2. Greater detail about how your product works
3. Whom it would help
4. Cool features and extra details
5. An awesome conclusion with a "sell it" sentence at the end

                                                   The Provision Provider, by Claire (5th grade)

Many of us have dreamed of inventing different objects that might just change the world forever. I am one of the many. Poverty has grown to be a serious issue in this world, and my invention would benefit this situation. This particular invention is called “The Provision Provider”, and it would provide supplies for survival and thrival when you do not have a home or a place to go at night when the day is done.

This useful invention appears to be an everyday briefcase on the outside, though it withholds wonders on the inside. It contains a collapsible tent which can be set up in any location for shelter along with sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets. Upon the pressing of a button, a secret compartment opens to show a bag of unlimited food and a bottle of unlimited clean, fresh water. Another one of the many resources this helpful invention provides is a kit of basic medical care treatment. Common medical objects such as band-aids, basic medicines, bandages, and ice packs are included in the kit as well as fresh, clean clothes that will forever replenish. Additionally, this briefcase would give each of its clients a manual to help train them in different jobs. Also listed inside the manual are business contacts and employers to assist clients in finding careers and to get them back on their feet. For children, there are also little toys and stuffed animals along with education fees for school. 

This invention would help much of our population, decreasing the rates of poverty and homelessness in all parts of the world. We would have a better economy, with more people working, and the entire population of Earth could thrive, instead of simply a handful of fortunate ones.  

Every human being on this planet would be able to afford one of these, as they do not cost any money, though the magic only works for ones who are truly in need. For the rest of us, this invention acts like a regular briefcase. Special features such as a shower, a tiny, collapsable house, and pre-paid doctor’s bills cost only five dollars together. This invention would be available in market stands all around the world for anybody. It would be sold with different options of briefcase colors/patterns, blanket colors/patterns, pillow colors/patterns, tent colors/patterns, etc. and toy varieties. 

This wonderful invention is sure to benefit people of all ages and status. End a dark, cold, and gloomy life in the alleyways today. Purchase the Provision Provider and improve lives with one single briefcase!

My Invention: Corona Candy

by Lia (6th grade)

Recently, our lives have been drastically changed by the deadly coronavirus.  Because of this, scientists are scrambling to make an effective, yet delicious medicine to cure it.  This newly created Corona Candy instantly removes the vicious germs, leaving the patients healthy and strong.

This Corona Candy would not only be much less painful than a shot and much better-tasting than a pill, but would also have no additional side effects.  Corona Candy uses a special mixture of Ruthenium and Zirconium stirred at exactly 42.76 degrees Fahrenheit.  This results in a sponge-like chemical reaction that takes away only the malignant, harmful germs, yet leaving the thriving cells perfectly intact.

Corona Candy will help the many people around the world who have the horrible coronavirus.  This quick cure will lead to a once-again prosperous country.

Coming in many different sized boxes, Corona Candy comes in packages large enough for a whole country.  Its cheap cost at $1 for twelve gummies makes it accessible to all.

Our world is in dire need of help because of this new and hazardous pandemic. Eat a sweet treat for a simple cure!

A Wonderful Peppermint Stick, by Marissa (5th grade)

Have you ever heard an animal make their animal sound, and then wonder what it is saying? Now thanks to this wonderful peppermint you will be able to talk to them!  Just think of an animal and take a suck.  Alacazam, Alakazoo, your wish will come  true!

    This magical power is easy to get when you use this invention.  First,think of an animal. Then with that animal in your head, just take a suck of the peppermint stick.  Next, try and speak to the animal you were thinking of.  You will end up talking and understanding its language.  Just remember: one suck lasts thirty minutes.  

    This amazing invention would help veterinarians and zookeepers understand their patients. This would also be fun entertainment for anyone who has a pet, is visiting the zoo, or taking a nature walk.  .  Want to know what a dog’s bark means?  Easy! What do cats mean when they roll over and meow?  Now you’ll know! A little itty bitty ant? Sure you can talk to it, but make sure not to step on it.   Giagantor Dinosaur? If they still existed, yep! You would have the power to talk to any animal.

    This peppermint costs only $14.99.  The price is $50 for a pack of five sticks.  For veterinarians and zookeepers, this invention would be free! This peppermint stick also comes in any flavor popsicle, for anyone who doesn’t care for a minty flavor.  There is one more amazing feature of this invention: if you feed it to your pet, they can speak human for thirty minutes!

    This peppermint stick can turn anyone into a polyglot. Next time you wonder what an animal is saying, pop a peppermint stick in your mouth and talk to them to find out for yourself!

Thomas Edison's Greatest Inventions

     While the "BAA" students focused on solely the light bulb, the "AAA" students were given a choice between five of Thomas Edison's famous inventions.  Their job was to write a persuasive essay, convincing the reader/listener that THEIR invention was the most important one!  They first outlined:

1. Introduction: Name the invention and briefly explain why you chose it.

2. Body paragraphs:
A. Information about the invention/how it's used
B. What could this invention possibly have led to today?
C. Life without the invention

3. A strong conclusion, convincing the reader you are REALLY right!

 Some students were so convincing, they even caused some students to switch groups!  What group would YOU join??  Enjoy these samples:

Bring Back the Music! by Dhruv (6th grade)

“ I have not failed, I’ ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That’s Thomas Edison. You know him. He is the world's greatest inventor. The phonograph is the most important Thomas Edison invention because it provides hours of fun for the whole family and has changed people’s lives forever.

The phonograph was invented on August 12, 1877, and was mostly used in the olden times. Today, a phonograph might be called a record player. It is not used today, but it has inspired many modern inventions. There are three types of photographs:  two using a hornet output sound, while one uses a speaker. This last model is the more modern one. These were mechanically designed using a crane to power them. This results in no need for electricity. The phonograph is the most functional, modern, antique device. It has a vinyl record with a needle, and the device sometimes plays through a speaker (modern) or horn (antique).

The phonograph is not used anymore today, by most people, but it has led to many great modern inventions. These inventions include cassettes, CDs, and eventually virtual digital music streaming services, such as YouTube Music, Spotify, and others! Music is all around us, and it has been since olden times, thanks to phntographs and its descendants.

The phonograph is very significant in the world of music, of course, but what would life be like without it? The answer to this complicated question is that life would be boring, and the world would have no music or happy tunes! Also, all the emotions we feel from music would be no more. We also wouldn’t have any favorite or not-favorite songs or singers - What a problem!

All in all, the phonograph is the root of a combined total of hundreds of hours of research by Thomas Edison and his team, and provides thousands of hours of musical enjoyment. When the phonograph was invented, it opened up a huge space, including concerts, different genres of music (there are many), famous bands and singers, instruments, The Grammys, foreign songs, emotion, and so much more! It opened up so many jobs. Your favorite singer might not have been a singer if it wasn't for the phonograph! The same goes for your favorite band, or producer. The phonograph caused all this and changed the world! 

The Motion Picture Camera, by James (4th grade)

          The motion picture camera is a very important part of history.  If Thomas Edison hadn't invented it, then we wouldn't have some of your favorite movies, shows, and sports!

          We use the motion picture camera to make movies, shows, and even to record sports.  Without it, then we wouldn't be able to watch the Super Bowl from home!

          If Thomas Edison hadn't invented the motion picture camera, we may not have security cameras, phone cameras, or modern movie cameras.

          If Thomas Edison hadn't invented the motion picture camera, life would be boring and hard.  It would be a more dangerous world without security cameras.

          As you can see, the motion picture camera is a very important part of history.  It can capture very important memories!

Power Stations, by Penelope (3rd grade)

     Imagine a world without power.... it would be dark, and we'd have to use real fire to cook, and candles for everything including taking baths, brushing teeth, and everything!

     With power stations, we can use everything we need to even if it's dark.  Our houses, our work, our grocery stores, and schools all need lots of light.  We don't want to carry candles everywhere!  Power stations are used to power stuff like air conditioners, clocks, TV's, projectors, light bulbs, and musical instruments.  Without power stations, it would be 100% dark at night all around, every day, and it would be very unsafe.  At home, you couldn't look at the food you are cooking unless you are cooking in the day time.

     That's why power stations are super important.  It is the BEST invention he ever made!  Power stations can do lots of stuff.  Would you like to have power stations, or live by holding candles and eating burnt food?