How to write a fantastic poem

I’m excited to return back to Twain Elementary this Fall to teach poetry to 4th graders. During our first session of poetry this past Wednesday, we read a delicious poem by Eve Merriam, titled “How to Eat a Poem.” Some students thought it was silly, wondering how can someone eat a poem? Instead of eating our poetry handouts, we discussed how readers can use their eyes, ears, and minds to eat a poem.

In her poem Merriam compares poetry to fruit. Merriam’s poem is written as instructions for the reader. She’s teaching us that poetry doesn’t have to be perfect; it can be fun and messy. Don’t be polite/Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin/It is ready and ripe, whenever you are. I imagined the poem as an apple, while students pictured the poem as oranges, pomegranates, bananas, and kiwis.

Inspired by Eve Merriam, Twain 4th graders wrote their own “How To,” poems expressing ways they can interact with poetry.

Please enjoy these wonderful poems and artwork.

Ms. Hayes 4th Grade - Group 1

How To Plant A Poem Esteban J.

Let’s dig the dirt,
not with a shovel, but a word!
You may not think soil is where
tales are heard.

Plant a book of garden, and a
sentence, a row.

We water the pages with ideas,
that we’ve heard.

How To Go Fishing with a Poem Camila P.

First, I am going to the pond
with a poem.

Then, I am going to pick up a word
from the poem for bait.

Next, I’m going to cast and catch
a fish.

Last, I am going to unhook
the word fish, and the fish
is going to swim with his
poem fish friends.

How To Race A poem in the Olympics Noah M.

A poem challenges me to a race.
I say, yes.
I basically grab my supersonic
boost shoes.
Tomorrow . . .

The poem says, we have to run
100 laps.
I say, OK
Red light, yellow light, green light!!!

I ran as fast as I could. Zoom! Zoom!
I am at 50 laps, but the poem is at
60 laps. Zoom! Zoom!
I’m at 80 laps, but the poem
is at 99 laps.
I was almost to the end.
But the poem won the race.

Finally, I called GODZILLA and KING KONG
and KING GHDORAH!

How To Open a Poem Like a Door Penelope O.

You can open a
poem into a
new world.
A new world
with words in
the air
And unlimited
ideas.
Like you can write about
emotions or your life.

Ms. Drakulich 4th Grade - Group 2

How To Shop with a Poem Andrea A.

This is how you shop with a poem. First
make or find a poem. Next if you are broke,
find poems of money. Next you have to get
ready with your poem, you put on your
poem, eyelashes, mascara and lipstick.

After you made your poem into a baddie
you can leave the house and start going
to the mall to shop, and if you’re lucky you
will be able to find a parking lot.

Next grab one of your poems to pay, so
your car can stay an hour parked. Next,
look at the poem, it should be able to
show 1,000, 100, 100s of different lists.
Now, don’t get to frustrated because
of so many letters there are, because
that’s what a poem is for!

Either way, but snacks, clothes-sized poem,
and things to watch a horror movie. Last,
pay with the poem’s money and don’t leave
anything behind, and go home and watch
the movie with your poem!

How To Score a Goal with a Poem Dennys F.

I go to my soccer game with the poem.
First, you have to put on your team uniform
and then put the soccer uniform on the poem.
Then, run to the goalkeeper area and try
to score.

Then with the slide tackle to the rival,
so, they don’t score.
And then pass the ball to the poem,
and the poem passes the ball to me,
and then I score.

And then we when the soccer match.
And then the poem wins the trophy
MVP.

How To Go Trick or Treat with a Poem Jennifer A.

Knock! Knock!
Trick or Treat.

“Who are you?”
I’m a poem.
Weird but nice.
Want to go Trick
or treating with me?

“Sure”

First, have fun Door Ditching.
Then, eat candy.
Finally, have a sleep over!
Don’t forget the Spooky movie!

Ms. Williams 4th Grade - Group 3

How to Carve a Pumpkin With a Poem Leilani V.

First get a pumpkin.
Then get a knife.
Then carve a face with words.
After you carve the face, carve the mouth.
Then when you are done, grab your poem.
After you have your poem,
put it into the pumpkin.

Then you’re done!

How to Draw a Poem Layla W.

Supplies are what you need.
start to draw the head, don’t
draw too hard, or it will leave
a mark.

Draw the neck, then the shoulders,
then arms, then the body.

Draw the eyes, eyelashes, lips, hair.
shade color, make it your own.

Paint, color, draw,
mix together.

markers, crayons, colored pencils,

eraser, pencil.

How to Play WWE with a Poem Isaiah R.

I put the poem in the ring.
I jump on it.
I stone cold stunner him.

He comes to the ring and spears me.

I throw him out and slam him
through a fire table.

He hits me with a chair.

I throw him out the ring.

I Goldberg spear him
real hard.

I am the World Heavy
Weight Champion.

Ms. Carther 4th Grade - Group 4

How to Train Gymnastics To a Poem Bethania I.

First pay.
Then, take your poem to a Gymnastics Center.
Then, warm up your poem.
Then, show the poem how to do tricks
in the trampoline.

Show the poem some backflips,
front flips.
Show the poem some cartwheels,
handstands, splits, ariel, and more.
And the next day, bring the poem back.

I Can Hear a Poem Victor L.

You can read a poem.
But I can hear a poem.

You can listen closely.
Hear it say what it
needs to say. . .

You can visualize the poem.
What kind of poem is it?
It depends.

For the poems I have,
one calm poem I visualize,
I can hear it talk to me quietly,
calmly talking to me.

There are also other poems.

Like a poem that is sad or mad.

I will always depend on
the poem’s word.

How to Dance with a Poem Mackenzie M.

First: Imagine a poem, anything you like.
Go outside and grab your bike.
Then bike some more and more and more.
Until you see a wooden door.
Open the door and see some lights.
Go through the door and a shot of happiness bites.
Then: Drag your poem with a smile.
you’re going to be dancing for a while.
Look at your poem and say to it.
“This is lit!”

How To Draw a Poem Arely I.

Don’t let your mind go blank,
grab a pencil,
and a paper of course.

Picture it in your mind.
Then draw it out.
Step by step by step.

When you’re done, outline
it with your pen or marker.

You’re done, right OK,
now get colors,
color pencils, or
crayons or markers

and start to
color it.

When you’re done, put it
on your fridge to admire
and enjoy your hard work.
Bye.

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