All our language arts classes created a pocket that shared those choices and then were displayed for all to read. It is really very exciting to see students stop in the hallways and read what others have chosen and then talk to each other about what has been shared. This is an activity that I love to do every year. It is very rewarding to see the growth from sixth grade poetry choices to eighth grade. There is a definite difference. Sixth graders seldom choice heavy topics. They usually opt for something silly or benign. Seventh graders are a mixed bag but that's to be expected because I think seventh grade is the hardest. They are still sorting and finding out who they are (although as a middle schooler that is ongoing). Eighth grade the cool factor kicks in but there is also beginning to be a sense of self and definitely a huge difference (for most of them) in maturity. That's why Middle Schoolers are so interesting!
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About fifteen students were brave enough to take to the stage and recite their poems. There was even an 8th gr/6th gr duo which was fun to see.
Every year our sixth grade students have the chance to participate in America's Battle of the Books. This year Cassandra W., Mika M., Eli S., and Mia A. represented CMS at the annual CUSD Battle of the Books held at Canalino School this year. They, along with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders had a lively competition. Mika was a member of the winning team. Now they are getting ready for the country battle to be held on the 23rd.
I hope you like poetry! I know I do and this year to celebrate National Poetry month I will be posting favorite poems of mine and hopefully yours as well. Each year the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft.
We'll also have a week of Magnetic Poetry at lunch during the week of April 16th to 20th. What's that you say? What's magnetic poetry? Well it's: individual words—often related to a particular theme or topic—printed on small magnets which can be creatively arranged into poetry on a metal surface. Poetry Slam April 26th Where: On the stage When: At lunch Prizes awarded for: Most original Best use of rhyme Happiest poem Best alliteration Poetry must be submitted to Mrs. G for review before the 26th. What's that you say? What's a poetry slam? Well it's: a competition where poets read or recite original work in front of judges and an audience. Poem in Your Pocket Day April 27th Every April, on Poem in Your Pocket Day, people celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others throughout the day at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and on Twitter using the hashtag #pocketpoem. Poem in Your Pocket Day was stated in 2002 in New York City as part of the city’s National Poetry Month celebration. Then in 2008, the Academy of American Poets made the initiative national, encouraging individuals across the country to join in. We've been participating for the last 3 years and each year more students get involved. We'll be sharing our pocket poems on Thursday for Poem in Your Pocket day. Students and staff will share their poems with each other all day. In the library there will be a poetry (of course) scavenger hunt. |
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March 2023
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