Are we having fun yet? Isn’t that what kids always want to know? I think poetry with and for kids is TONZ’ of fun. As a mom, grandmother and former teacher I think poetry really resonates with children. They come up with the most amazing poetry. So, for today – I’m going to give you some resources about where to find kids’ poetry, help with teaching it or just encouraging your own child to write it and also give you some links to places that can help you write poetry for kids. When all of that is done… we will create a poem from one of the many styles that kids love.
So, if you think you want to know any of the above – continue reading… if you just want the poem form for today … scroll on down to get it. Either way, enjoy!!
OK, first, poems for kids. There are so many writers out there that specialize in writing poems for kids. Just do a search and see for yourself so I’m only going to highlight two or three.
First off, is Charles Ghigna ~ often referred to as “Father Goose” because his poetry for kids is so prolific and so much fun. He is an award-winning author of over 5,000 poems and 50 books for kids. Pretty amazing! Plus, he’s a really nice guy. Check out his website: Father Goose: Children's Author & Poet
Charles Ghigna also offers a very helpful blog - especially for our 30 poems in 30 days: How to Write a Poem: Tips on Tapping into the Magic of Your Muse
Another fun kids’ author, Katie Davis, is celebrating National Poetry Month by hosting a guest author every day on her blog: Katie Davis ~ you’ll want to stop by there every day to see what’s up. (Yesterday’s guest was Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted and numerous other books). Gail Carson Levine
Here’s a site you’ll want to bookmark: Poetry 4 Kids, known as Kenn Nesbitt’s Poetry Playground. You’ll find all kinds of help there; lots of links and lots of fun.
You can do a search to find more links!!
FRACTURED NURSERY RHYMES ~
In order to do this one, chose a familiar nursery rhyme, notice the rhyming pattern and start changing a few words in order to make it funny. So, don't laugh but here's my sample:
ORIGINAL NURSERY RHYME:
Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
I've been to London to visit the Queen.
Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse under her chair.
I've been to London to visit the Queen.
Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse under her chair.
MY FRACTURED ONE:
Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
Well, if you must know, I’m dating the hen
Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there?
We danced 'til her feathers flew everywhere.
You can check out Kenn’s site for some good advice on this. He suggests for “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” – How about “Ride, Ride, Ride Your Bike,” or “Pet, Pet, Pet Your Cat?” Here’s the link to his ideas: How to write a fractured nursery rhyme
He gives these 3 basic steps:
- Pick a poem or song LIST OF NURSERY RHYMES http://www.smart-central.com/
- Find the words that rhyme
- Choose new rhyming words to make a new poem or song
Here’s my next attempt:
ORIGINAL NURSERY RHYME:
Jack, be nimble,
Jack, be quick,
Jack, be quick,
Jack, jump over
The candlestick.
The candlestick.
MY FRACTURED ONE:
Jack, be helpful,
Jack, be kind,
Jack, if you’re not,
I’ll spank your behind.
Oh dear – let’s hope you all do better than I. Have fun!!!
6 comments:
Original:
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Mine:
How come the woodchuck chucks that wood? Could a woodchuck chuck something softer?
(Headaches make for lame rhymes.)
Okay, here's my try whether right or wrong.
Wee Willie Winkie runs through the shrubs,
Up trees and down trees in his night-scrubs,
Swinging from the clinging vine, crying as the vine did break,
"Oh my goodness, I think this was a mistake!"
Mary in Naples
I have two :)
Original: She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.
Fracture: He'll be coming down from Heaven when He comes (repeat)
He'll be flanked by host of angels when he comes(repeat)
Oh, we'll all sing sweet hosannas when we he comes.(repeat)
original:All around the mulberry bush
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle.
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Up and down the City Road,
In and out of the Eagle,
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Fractured:
All around Ms. Mother Goose
The poet let his word go loose.
The poet it knew twas all in fun.
Wow! writes the verse
A nickel for a pack of gum
A nickel for a roll of tums.
That's the way the tummy rolls.
Wow! writes the verse
Back n forth the swing really goes
To n fro the see-saw slows
That's the way the playground flows
Wow! writes the verse
Erica
Here's my try:
Original:
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
The rest of the story:
Jack and Jill just got the bill
For Jack's trip to the doctor.
Jack said "Ack!" I broke my back
And we're in debt to the rafters!
Received this as an email from Carol Rainbolt so am posting it for her:
I have tried several times to post these to your blog comments. I am doing something wrong. I get as far as writing the comment and typing the cryptic words, but it wont let me send. so here are my two efforts and my son joined in the fun to add his.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rock a bye baby on the dance floor
Swing to that music that you so adore.
Jumping, jiving, and having a ball,
when he flips you, don’t show your all.
~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a huge woman who lived in a house.
She climbed on a chair, when she spotted a mouse.
The chair broke in pieces, and she fell flat.
From the mouse she was saved, by her faithful cat.
~~~~~~~~~~~
And below is my son Adam's effort:
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son Bob,
Will only eat corn on the cob.
If only he would get a job.
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son Bob.
-------------------------------
Thanks, Carol!! Great job!!
I'm so late (3 days) this may never be read, but here it is anyway.
Day Three
Fractured Nursery Rhymes.
Jack, be nimble,
Jack, be quick.
Jack, jump over
The candlestick.
Sometimes nimble
Some days quick
I won’t jump over
another stick.
Or
A diller a dollar, a ten o’clock scholar,
Why do you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o’clock,
But now you come at noon.
Fractured:
One Halloween night when the moon shone bright,
Three witches rode one broom.
A huge black cat upon them spat,
And so they fled. Zoom, zoom.
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