Poetry Corner

We’ve been working with poetry in our classroom and I’d like to start writing some poetry. Before we do, let’s meet a professional poet.

The link below will take you to a “Meet the Author” site for Jack Prelutsky at http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_meet.htm. I’m sure you remember him. He’s written lots of great poems including some that are really funny. The poem below came from the website and it is also in his book, The New Kid on the Block. Please read the poem.

Louder Than a Clap of Thunder

Louder than a clap of thunder,
louder than an eagle screams,
louder than a dragon blunders,
or a dozen football teams,
louder than a four alarmer,
or a rushing waterfall,
louder than a knight in armor
jumping from a ten-foot wall.
Louder than an earthquake rumbles,
louder than a tidal wave,
louder than an ogre grumbles
as he stumbles through his cave,
louder than stampeding cattle,
louder than a cannon roars,
louder than a giant's rattle,
that's how loud my father SNORES!

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_my_poem.htm

He’s a pretty good poet, isn’t he?

Click the link below to read about Jack and then answer the seven questions following the link in your language arts journal.

Meet Jack

1. Where was Jack Prelutsky born?

2. At the time this article was written, how many years had he been writing books of poetry?

3. What does “we’re temporarily between pets” mean?

4. Who is the author of this article? How do you know?

5. What is one text feature that helped you understand this article better? Explain how it helped you.

6. Jack gave advice to kids who want to write poetry. What part of the advice do you agree with most? Explain why.

7. Have your feelings about poetry changed any after reading this article? If so, how?