Poetry Websites

I found some poetry websites for students in the elementary grade levels. Kenn Nesbitt's site has poetry that students can read and enjoy. You can print them out and read them to your students as well. Please click on the website below:

http://www.poetry4kids.com/poems

Another website that I found tonigh is Jack Prelutsky's. Click on the link that follows.
http://jackprelutsky.com/

To be continued tomorrow.

Minecraft Mike Poem by Mike Nesbitt

Minecraft Mike

A Funny Video Game Poem for Kids
by Kenn Nesbitt

Hello, my friends. My name is Mike.
I never hike or ride a bike.
You see, the only thing I like
is playing lots of Minecraft.

I never run, or climb a tree,
or sail a ship across the sea.
Why, I don't even watch TV.
I just play lots of Minecraft.

I don't play sports of any sorts,
on basketball or tennis courts,
in training shoes and running shorts.
I'm only good at Minecraft.

You'll never see me pet the cat,
or shop online to buy a hat,
or instant message, text, or chat.
I'm busy playing Minecraft.

In fact, I'm busy as can be,
so if you'd like to talk to me,
there's just one way, and that, you see,
is multiplayer Minecraft.

Copyright © 2015 Kenn Nesbitt
All Rights Reserved
From http://www.poetry4kids.com  www.poetry4kids.com

Student Poetry Slam

I found some great student poetry recited during a poetry slam. These are great for all of us to know that poetry is for everyone. These young poets are quite good! I used these video to show them what a poetry slam look like and to prep them for their own poetry slam. To be continued!

Crystal Allen Comes to Visit

Crystal Allen visited my school yesterday. She came to share her love of writing with my students and school. My students were so very excited to see her and ask her lots of questions. One of my girls said, "Wow! I never met a real life author before!" They were so inspired and are working on a writing context from Crystal Allen's Website-Strikerwriiters. I made a Stupeflix video to try to capture a few moments of that glorious day.

Poetry Recital

Today I was so inspired by my students. It is not that I am not normally inspired, but today was a tad different. Today was different because my students volunteered to recite my poem called Tip. We studied the structure of poetry and then had some time to recite it aloud in groups. The previous day I showed them some YouTube videos of some rather fascinating young poets at poetry slams. We were amazed. These students in the videos recited their own poetry. Today my students had the opportunity to recite my poetry. This is a precursor to their own poetry slam. They will be crafting their own poetry and then we will have a poetry slam to celebrate. I was so excited to see such enthuisasm for poetry. I was able to share my love of reading and writing poetry. I recorded them and in the next few days, I will be uploading more student recital. It was extra special because they were reciting MY poetry! Wow!

Edublogs and Writing

My students and I are embarking on a blogging journey with Edublogs. Everyone started their journey on Friday. Each student has started working on their blog. Some have posted. This week they will be doing more. I am excited about this journey. We will see how this goes.

I am also considering having them also create a blog on Blogger. I like Blogger better because you have access to more Google tools. We will see.  I need a little more information on how I would go about this.

Look for my students' blog called Bloggers In The Wild on the side bar.

Here is the link to my Edublog:

http://uclesm.edublogs.org/

Poop Machines

I was cleaning and changing the kitty litter today. It is not a job that I love to do weekly. I abhor having to change the litter. NOT A FAN!  As I was changing it out, I kept thinking that this experience is writing worthy.

I could write about this, I thought to myself.

I always tell my students that writing happens as a result of our environment. There is so much out there to consider. My writing could also include my feelings about changing cat litter. Why can't I write about cat litter and these poop machines? What is stopping me? I have plenty of material. The words are flowing in my mind. I have plenty of material. Starting to stink to high heaven!

Tell the truth, Maureen. Tell the truth, my inner voice pleads.

But other people will think it is too gross or silly. They will say that I shouldn't be writing about changing out cat litter. You are not supposed to be gross,don't ya know? The inner conversation continues.

Yes..no...but the really good reads are the gross ones, I reply more confidently. Writers must tell the truth. The truth the way that they see things. Don't compromise for the nay-sayers.

Okay...that sounds better, I say in agreement.

Now I have decided to let it fly. I don't want those oppositional voices to keep me away from writing what could be a decent piece. I think my students will like it too. There you have it!

Here is my first draft.

Poop Machines

I love my cats. I do. I have three beautiful, sweet, and crazy felines. Love them to pieces, but I DON'T LOVE cleaning up after them. Cleaning up their hairball fiascos, stomach upsets placed nicely on the tile floor, or the kitty litter. Above all, I hate changing out the kitty litter! Hate, abhor, detest anything to do with kitty stinking litter!

Sammy at rest-practicing inertia

I have three kitty litter boxes. I need to start saying cat litter boxes because these once furry, playful balls of energy are adult snoozers now.  The sleep nonstop. Although they snooze, they find lots of time to churn out the poop...in droves. They are full grown POOP MACHINES!

These poop machines have many jobs in my house. They sleep probably 23 out of 24 hours a day. I know...the have it extremely hard. Their lives are full of endless ZZZZs. When they wake of from their thousandth cat nap, they roll over and purr. They stretch out their long bodies and then jump down from the window sill, the couch, the table, my bed, or their kitty skyscraper and search for their prey. They stalk the kitty bowl full of cat kibble. The bowl is very elusive to them. But after 5 seconds of stalking, they pounce upon the kibble and begin to devour the remains.  That hunt takes up lots of energy. They then decide to find a comfy spot to groom themselves for another five minutes. They spit in their paws and wipe their spittle over their ears, nose and head. They love the smell of their spittle and want to spread it all over the place.  After a little while, they might take a nap or charge up the poop machine.

They walk into the kitty condo (cat litter box) and then do their business. When they are done, if they are normal, they cover the remains with excess kitty litter and walk out of the condo refreshed. One of my cats does not do this. No, he or she (I am not sure which one it is) uses the facilities, then leaves their excrement or poop uncovered. I suppose he/she is proud of their production and wants the world to see what a great poop machine they have become. Upon further reading, this uncovering may be due to the fact that one of my cats wants to show the other cats who is the boss. They want everyone to know that they are, in fact, the dominant one. My cats are psychos!

Poop Machine Sammy at Work

Their daily routines consists of these four activities: sleep, groom, eat and poop (in no particular order.) I could add another activity to the list as well. It could then be sleep, eat, poop, groom, and meow at their owner to pet, feed, pet, feed, pet, feed, and entertain them. In the mornings, my three crazies like to sit on my lap and have me scratch them behind the ears and under the chin. They meow to demand more scratches at a time when I am getting ready for work. That doesn't work well when I have my work clothes on and ready. They shed so much.

By the end of the week, the kitty litter gets pretty smelly and in need of a changing. When I change it, I try to look away. I get grossed out by all the poop that has accumulated in last few days. (I try to clean it out daily, but I don't always get to it.) By this time, my cats are in the living room plotting their next visit to a cleaner litter box. When they see that I am finished, they run in acting all nicey-nice. They meow sweet and kind meows. They expect me to give them some wet cat food and to fill up the kibble bowl, which is usually 3/4 full. I don't know what it is about cats and kibble. If the bowl is not filled up to the brim, they react as if there is no food in the bowl. They meow with a harsh shrill, sounding as if they hadn't eaten in a week or more.They like to complain. The food bowl is practically filled. Go figure!

Dominant Poop Machine Sandy

I do love my cats. They are good companions of chill. They like to read with me.

They sometimes allow me to blog. I have to tear one of dominant felines away from me. She likes to stay positioned on my lap. I have to fight her to work on my lap top and read by pushing her off of me numerous times. She keeps coming back with her loud, loud lawn-mover like purrs. It is difficult, but after a while, she gives up and lays next to me.

Poop Machine Suzy the Timid

It is great having cats as pets. They are clean and independent. Not bad at all...except for being feline poop machines. That, and cleaning up hairball problems, are the only downfalls of having cats.


Am I a part of the problem? When I feed them their kibble or wet food, I am perpetuating the poop production problem. There is no way around it. I just wish they could be more like dogs and go outside and do their business. My cats are indoor cats though. I think it is better for them to stay inside and be safe. It is good for them, but more work for me. I do it reluctantly and with much trepidation, but I do it. After all, I do love my sweet poop machines!

Happy Day

I decided to post this because today is Friday. I have several parents conferences. All of my conferences were wonderful so far. I have learned lots about my students and their families. It is nice to see the parents and to share with them the work we are doing. To celebrate this day, I have brought back a video of my very energetic and hilarious sister dancing to Happy. I hope it brings a smile to your face and brighten an overcast day.

Proyecto de Estudios Sociales-Regiones en Texas-Social Studies Project

My students have been working on a Social Studies related project. They have been researching information about the regions in Texas. They have worked on this within a group situation. They used computers, their own hand held devices, hard copies of Social Studies Weekly, and some other websites that they found to be helpful. I uploaded some websites on Edmodo too. One of my students found a site that would be beneficial. She added the link on Edmodo as well.

They decided to have their presentation materials use a backdrop of posterboard, student writing, and printed copies of photos. They then congregated, make a plan, and presented.

I recorded their presentation on my iPod. As they went through this presentation, I gave them some tips. They had presented before using video, so I think that they are becoming more familiar with it. We took a few takes on the presentation. What you will see is the final cut. I feel proud of their progress so far. Soon they will be doing other projects where they will be video taping and making their own projects digitally. One step at a time!  I hope you enjoy this.

(My class is bilingual/biliterate. I teach Social Studies in Spanish. That is what you will see. They could have easily done the same in English.)

Photocopying Diaries

Today was a good day. I had to pinch myself and make sure that I wasn't dreaming. It is not that my days aren't good. I am very fortunate to be doing what I love. I just don't adore the paperwork, the endless deadlines, the interruptions and the feeling of always being behind. I race to get to school so that I can have some quiet time before the rush. Before the craziness and deadlines smash me in the face. I get there super early so I can prepare myself and my classroom. I tidy up and make some copies....well sometimes. Making copies is rare. I do it very, very reluctantly. Photocopying is one my least favorite things to do. It is up there with root canals and Houston traffic. Because it causes so much angst, I arrive super early to the copy room, hoping to avoid any semblance of a human being. Sometimes, I stay super late, for the same reason. I avoid human contact because I need to concentrate and get my work done. When I start talking to someone, I invariably copy the things in an order that is not desirable. Don't want to waste my time.

I hate the pressure of photocopying. When I am by myself, I can think clearly and not feel the pressure of the looks from other homo sapiens. The looks. The tapping, Clock watching. Obnoxious sighing.  Too, too much to tolerate. Too much to bare. People who come in after me to photocopy, put a tremendous amount of pressure to move me on my merry way and let them copy 'til their heart's content. Not what I need in the morning or any time of the day.

Then you have the Only-ies. The Only-ies you probably know very well. They always seem have to photocopy on my watch. I think the ratio is one in three people. One in three people who photocopy are known as the Only. They are those pushy, yet friendly, line skippers who think that just because they only have one or two copies to make, I should stop what I am doing and let them take advantage of my kindness.  I so want to say, Hey, I woke up at 5 am to get here and make copies in peace. Take a number. Why is it that the skippies think that they somehow deserve to cut in line and I should oblige? I usually do not oblige. It is the principle of the situation. My philosophy is that you just take a number and wait. Wait your turn. Wait like everyone else.There is no express lane or self check out at the photocopier. It doesn't work that way. It really doesn't work that way at Kroger's either. I have never witnessed anyone cut in front of the coupon lady. She has bought the whole store. No one in their right mind would say to her mid check out, I only have 2 items. Can I possibly cut in this long line? Nope. I don't think anyone should ask that of anyone. Take a number, Bub! That is what I so want to say. I, however, don't say anything. I act as if I didn't hear the lame request. I say, I only have a few more myself in the most boring monotone way possible. I take extra care in pronouncing each syllable ever so slowly. After I avoid this situation, the pressure mounts.  My heart pounds excessively and my palms sweat profusely. I feel I have to hurry, hurry, hurry. The stares and sighs move me into a full blown panic attack. The pen taps. Then I make mistakes. The copier stalls and makes a groining noise. Ugh! Time to dash!  Are you happy now? I wish I could say. I don't say a word. I sigh and grab my ruffled papers that are dying to be placed in some semblance of order. I'm done. I walk and breathe slowly and try to put this incident out of my mind. Now get ready for 20 bouncing, smiling, eager to learn students. Build a bridge and get over it, Maureen. My self talk sometimes works. I guess it is better than being in the copy room.

Like I said, I  prefer to make my copies early morning or late in the evening. I avoid  human contact, the pressure and definitely the Only-ies. Don't want to allow it to ruin my day, week, month. Nah! There are more important battles to wage. Photocopying won't be one of them.