Sharing The Seasons: A Book of Poems

Sharing The Seasons: A Book of Poems

By: Lee Bennett Hopkins 

Illustrated by: David Diaz

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010

Bright, Whimsical, Entertaining, Informational, Bold, Beautiful Artistry

Awards:

• California Collections
• Young Hoosier Book Award Master List (IN)

Summary: A collection of diverse poems and quotations from a variety of writers about each of the four seasons, accompanied by colorful and vivid illustrations. 

Grade Level: Lexile Framework: NP, Grades 3-6

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Key Vocabulary: (by page number) fledgling (3), fiddleheads (6), unfurl (6), polliwog (9), slithery (15), perspiration (23), turrets (26), damsels (26), bungalows (32), strum (34), maracas (35), disbelief (42), forlorn (44), feisty (50), criticize (50), whittling (51), scuttling (53), evident (55)

Spring 

3 Teaching Suggestions: 

1. Use this text to teach students (younger) about the various aspects of the four different seasons.
2. Use this text to teach students about the different types of poems there are and the different literary devices that poets use: rhyme, alliteration, metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, personification, etc. 
3. Use this text as inspiration (and a framework) for students to create their own poem about their favorite season.

Before Reading: Prior to reading this text, it is important to introduce students to the many different kinds of poems that there are: haiku, couplet, limerick, free verse, acrostic, diamante, etc. The older the students are, the more complex poems can be introduced. Be sure to provide them with several examples of the different poems and allow them to practice writing some so they get a better understanding. 

OR 

If the teacher feels that his or her students are up to the challenge, introduce (or review) the different types of literary devices that poets use when writing. Give students practice reading different poems and picking out all of the different elements!

*For younger students, give them a sheet of lined paper and a sheet of printer paper. Ask students to write about their favorite time of the year: Spring, summer, fall, winter. Provide reasons as to why they like that time of year best. Ask them to draw a picture to accompany their description.

Summer

During Reading: There are 12 poems for each of the 4 seasons. Read each of the 12 poems in sync with the seasons. For example: Read the fall poems during the fall, the winter poems during the winter, etc. (Read the summer poems at the end of the school year). Read one poem per day for twelve days. While the teacher reads the poem aloud, students will listen attentively (and take notes if they choose to). After the teacher has finished reading the poem the students and teachers will discuss:

• What type of poem is it?
• Are there any literary devices use? What are they?
• What is the poet talking about? (Specifically)
• Are there any words you do not recognize/understand?

After Reading: After completing a season, students will select one poem from that section that stood out to them most. They will then write a reaction/response to only this poem. Their reaction should describe how the poem makes them FEEL, not what they think about it. After writing their reaction, they will explain why they chose this poem. Can they relate to it? Was it their favorite poem or their least favorite? What do they like/not like about this poem?  

Writing Activity: Students will pick their favorite season and write their own poem. They can choose the type of poem they want to write. Older students must use a literary device in their poem. After writing their final draft, students will be asked to type it up and draw an illustration to go along with their poem. All poems will be bound and made into a "Classroom Book of Original Poems!"

Fall/Autumn 

2 Electronic Resources: 

Winter 

1. Poems For Kids: This link is very helpful to use when teaching children about the different types of poems there are. This website introduces the simplest of poems and provides examples for each. There are also additional resources after each example that provides more information about that particular type of poem. This resource is best to review prior to reading the text, but is helpful to review when students are asked to write their own poem.
2. Learning To Write Poetry: This tool is most helpful for teachers. It explains different methods of teaching poetry to students as well as how to teach students to write poetry. There are several other resources located at the bottom that offer further tips on teaching students how to write poems. This is especially great for those teachers who seem to be having difficulty in teaching this subject. Also, this website has a list of the different types of poems as well if students are searching for more examples. 

Hopkins, L.B. (2010) Sharing the seasons: a book of poems. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books