Over the summer, I shared my kite poem from Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong’s latest fantastic Poetry Friday Anthology–the one focused on science (awesome idea). Today I’m sharing another poem, this one by teacher and poet Ken Slesarik. It’s from the Kindergarten section/edition, Week 19: Soil & Land.
My Rock
My rock is cold,
gray, white, hard,
small, rough
and round.
Are rocks living?
–Ken Slesarik, all rights reserved
I love how simple and specific this poem is. And, of course, how it ties in facts. I feel like kids could hear this poem and know that poems are 1) about things that matter to them and 2) that poems are within reach. That little question/wonder at the end takes this poem from a list of attributes into a poem of wonder. I also love it because I love rocks:>)
Here I am reading it:
Now, you might not already know Ken. He’s a special education teacher and children’s poet from Phoenix, Arizona. His ?Heroes and Poets? assembly program (more on that in a second) has been well received by teachers, students, parents and administrators. Ken’s poetry for children has been published in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY SERIES, the forthcoming DEAR TOMATO: AN INTERNATIONAL CROP OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POEMS, as well as an animal collection called CREATURES, CRITTERS, BEASTS AND VARMINTS. Ken’s mission is to empower students through the medium of poetry, and he is a poetry advocate to children and teachers alike. You can tell from his enthusiasm (and from these kids!) that he does a great job:
“I may be tired and stressed, but at 3:40pm I come alive for our after-school poetry club called ?Poetry Rocks? at Esperanza Music Academy. Our club is made up of 26 kids in 4th-6th grades. A typical student may struggle in one or more academic areas but I make sure, without a doubt, that every student feels valued and capable. The main premise of my assembly program is that heroes are strong, brave, and kind, and we try to live that. We just finished our third week, and already there are so many ?magic moments? when a kid just lights up. Performing our poems is an essential element of our day, and this too has been so gratifying. We hope to put together a book-length collection before April, so the kids are looking forward to that. As far as my teaching background, I have more than eighteen years’ experience with the last ten being in the K-6 elementary setting. My district practices full inclusion as much as possible, so as a special education teacher, I have been fortunate to provide direct language arts instruction to students and/or co-teach with teachers from all grade levels. My job is to scaffold instruction for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities so that they can access the general education curriculum. I strive to be a compassionate educator and advocate for students, community and poetry in the classroom.
“Esperanza Music Academy in the Deer Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona is a Title 1 school with a diverse population. Mrs. Sepuka, our principal, is a supportive and compassionate educator herself. I’m grateful for the 21st century grant that supports ?Poetry Rocks? and other enrichment programs at our school.
It is so inspiring to meet teachers who are passionate about education, kids, and poetry! And now, for more inspiration, visit the always delicious Jama Rattigan’s blog for the Poetry Friday Roundup!
What a great photo of Ken having a blast with his students. I live for those “magic moments” that happen when children write poetry in a community.
When you see kids having THIS much fun together at a school activity, you know that a teacher is changing their lives:>)
I hope so Laura. Kids will come up every day and want to share a poem they’ve written at home.
We were trying to act like Esperanza “Lobos”.
What a great photo of Ken having a blast with his students. I live for those “magic moments” that happen when children write poetry in a community.
When you see kids having THIS much fun together at a school activity, you know that a teacher is changing their lives:>)
I hope so Laura. Kids will come up every day and want to share a poem they’ve written at home.
We were trying to act like Esperanza “Lobos”.
That’s such a great photo and such a great program! I, too, love the simplicity and wondering the rock poem captures.
Yes!
That’s such a great photo and such a great program! I, too, love the simplicity and wondering the rock poem captures.
Yes!
I am currently gathering poems for a coming lesson with our primary students, so this poem by Ken will be a perfect and “wonder” ful addition. Those kids in “Poetry Rocks” are lucky, lucky! Thanks Laura for sharing more about Ken’s work. And thanks Ken for bringing poetry love to those kids!
Aww thanks Linda and thank you Laura for the post!
Glad you enjoyed it, Linda:>)
I am currently gathering poems for a coming lesson with our primary students, so this poem by Ken will be a perfect and “wonder” ful addition. Those kids in “Poetry Rocks” are lucky, lucky! Thanks Laura for sharing more about Ken’s work. And thanks Ken for bringing poetry love to those kids!
Aww thanks Linda and thank you Laura for the post!
Glad you enjoyed it, Linda:>)
I love reading about how others are spreading the poetry-love in the world… so inspiring! Poetry DOES rock. Keep at it, Ken — the world needs you! Thank you for sharing, Laura. xo
It really is inspiring. Love it!
I love reading about how others are spreading the poetry-love in the world… so inspiring! Poetry DOES rock. Keep at it, Ken — the world needs you! Thank you for sharing, Laura. xo
It really is inspiring. Love it!
So nice to learn more about Ken and his Poetry Rocks club :)!
It was! I didn’t know about this, either:>) I knew he was a teacher and poetry-lover and -writer, but not about this cool club.
So nice to learn more about Ken and his Poetry Rocks club :)!
It was! I didn’t know about this, either:>) I knew he was a teacher and poetry-lover and -writer, but not about this cool club.
So inspiring – that photograph says it all!
I agree–there was a more serious one to choose from, too, but this one rocks!
So inspiring – that photograph says it all!
I agree–there was a more serious one to choose from, too, but this one rocks!
this is a wonderful story you shared with us today ity wonderful seeing kids having fun like this
Glad you enjoyed “meeting” Ken and his students, Jessica!
this is a wonderful story you shared with us today ity wonderful seeing kids having fun like this
Glad you enjoyed “meeting” Ken and his students, Jessica!
I’m so happy to see this poem featured, Laura! When Ken sent it to us for the anthology, I worried that it would be too simplistic–even for K students. But soon after, I learned that the VERY bright 5-year-old daughter of a friend had recently wondered the same thing, with the same words: Are rocks living? If that girl, who reads tons of books and has a scientist-dad, felt that this question was important, then I guess it wasn’t too simplistic at all. (And about the same time, I read that describing a rock’s appearance is part of the science standards of many states.) So there’s a lot more in that 14-word poem than most of us would think!
Janet, when I first read the poem, I thought the same thing. Then I thought about my experiences writing poems WITH kindergartners–always an adventure. And I realized that this was a perfect kind of poem for them–and a perfect poem to help them expand their own definitions of poetry (especially getting them to see poetry doesn’t have to rhyme). Some children’s poetry has obvious appeal for adults, too, but some really hits the narrow mark of speaking to kids directly. I think this poem is the latter kind. Thanks for dropping it to share your thoughts as an anthologist–we appreciate it!
I’m so happy to see this poem featured, Laura! When Ken sent it to us for the anthology, I worried that it would be too simplistic–even for K students. But soon after, I learned that the VERY bright 5-year-old daughter of a friend had recently wondered the same thing, with the same words: Are rocks living? If that girl, who reads tons of books and has a scientist-dad, felt that this question was important, then I guess it wasn’t too simplistic at all. (And about the same time, I read that describing a rock’s appearance is part of the science standards of many states.) So there’s a lot more in that 14-word poem than most of us would think!
Janet, when I first read the poem, I thought the same thing. Then I thought about my experiences writing poems WITH kindergartners–always an adventure. And I realized that this was a perfect kind of poem for them–and a perfect poem to help them expand their own definitions of poetry (especially getting them to see poetry doesn’t have to rhyme). Some children’s poetry has obvious appeal for adults, too, but some really hits the narrow mark of speaking to kids directly. I think this poem is the latter kind. Thanks for dropping it to share your thoughts as an anthologist–we appreciate it!
Thank you again Laura and thank you for the supportive comments everyone! It really is so much fun do the poetry club and I get so much back in return.
Happy to have you here, Ken! Love your passion for getting kids into poetry:>)
Thank you again Laura and thank you for the supportive comments everyone! It really is so much fun do the poetry club and I get so much back in return.
Happy to have you here, Ken! Love your passion for getting kids into poetry:>)
I know Ken as a poet, and love the sense of fun that he incorporates into so much of his work (it’s no wonder the kids love him), but thank you for showcasing his work as a teacher, Laura. Wonderful to hear about *and see* that all that enthusiasm!
I had fun learning about his poetry club, too, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by:>)
I know Ken as a poet, and love the sense of fun that he incorporates into so much of his work (it’s no wonder the kids love him), but thank you for showcasing his work as a teacher, Laura. Wonderful to hear about *and see* that all that enthusiasm!
I had fun learning about his poetry club, too, Michelle! Thanks for stopping by:>)
Yes great photo of Ken and his young poets. I’ve been meaning to read the Varmints one, I bet Ken is really funny.
:>)
Yes great photo of Ken and his young poets. I’ve been meaning to read the Varmints one, I bet Ken is really funny.
:>)
Such a lovely photograph filled with joy! Love reading about Ken’s journey as a poet and special needs teacher. We need more big-hearted people like him. 🙂
Yes! We do.
Such a lovely photograph filled with joy! Love reading about Ken’s journey as a poet and special needs teacher. We need more big-hearted people like him. 🙂
Yes! We do.
Ken’s program is so inspiring, and I love his poem! It’s exactly what I needed for some students I’m working with this morning. Thanks for sharing, Laura!
I love it when the right poem lands in your lap at the just the right moment!
Ken’s program is so inspiring, and I love his poem! It’s exactly what I needed for some students I’m working with this morning. Thanks for sharing, Laura!
I love it when the right poem lands in your lap at the just the right moment!