Welcome to my classroom, the Reading Nook.
I'm a reading teacher at an elementary school.
The walls of my classroom are covered in quilts.
Here's my latest one - my Easy Envelope Quilt.
Our wonderful custodian just hung it for me.
I found the directions on this video from Alex Anderson.
Inside each envelope is the title of a poem.
Today, I introduced my students to this new quilt. First, each student received their own notebook containing 24 poems. The name of each of the poems is written on an index card inside an envelope of my quilt.
A student reached in an envelope, drew out the card, and read the title of the poem. Then the students found the poem in their notebooks. (The poems are in alphabetical order.) I first read the poem to them, and then we all read the poem together. Each student got a chance to pick a card out of an envelope. (It was interesting that they wanted to advise each student on which card to draw, even though they ALL got a turn. "Choose the one in Denver Bronco colors!" "No, no! Choose the pink and purple one!")
Until I Saw the Sea
Until I saw the sea
I did not know
that wind
could wrinkle water so
I never knew
That sun
Could splinter a whole sea
of blue.
Nor
did I know before,
a sea breathes in and out
upon a shore.
Lillian Moore
Clouds
White sheep, white sheep
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops
You all stand still.
When the wind blows
You walk away slow.
White sheep, white sheep,
Where do you go?
Christina G. Rossetti
I have small groups of three or four students that I meet with for a half hour each day. Repeated readings build their fluency. Poetry is good for that. But more importantly, I want my students to love poetry. I think my new Envelope Quilt will help that!
(I got the best gift a reading teacher could get today. Two students asked if they could take the book home and do some EXTRA READING! I don't give homework on the week-end, but they couldn't wait until Monday to find out what was going to happen. Coming from students who struggle with reading, I can't tell you how happy this made me!)
What is your favorite poem from your childhood? Inquiring minds want to know! Please answer in the comments section below.
You might also enjoy reading my post about Poem In Your Pocket Day.
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," I think.
ReplyDeleteThat is mine too Linda.
DeleteNan
That's one of the 24 poems, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThe fog
ReplyDeleteI love that poem! I will add it to the 24!
DeleteThis is wonderful! I can see how your students will enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a pattern name or is it a design of your own?
Kathryn, I updated my blog post to include the link to a video showing how to make this quilt:
Deletehttp://www.hgtv.com/video/easy-envelope-quilt-video/index.html
You are an amazing teacher!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have wonderful parents who taught me a love of poetry and reading (as well as sewing)!
DeleteI have a cousin who would also love this for her classroom. Is it an original design of yours and if so would you be willing to share the pattern?
ReplyDeleteIt is not my original design. I found out how to make the quilt through a video by Alex Anderson: http://www.hgtv.com/video/easy-envelope-quilt-video/index.html
DeleteMy favorite poem as a child was My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson. My grandmother introduced it to me.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt and how special it is to your students already.
Little Orphan Annie, James Whitcomb Riley; my dad read them to us and so many of Riley's are favorites. Also he is an IN poet and lived near where I grew up.
ReplyDeleteThe Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, loved it as a kid and still love it
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a favourite poem but I do love the idea of this quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic
I love your quilt! It would make a fantastic advent calendar too!
ReplyDeleteThe quote from Aunt Jane of Kentucky is wonderful. I continue to be surprised that so many quilters I know don't label their quilts!! Your students will most certainly remember yours!
ReplyDeleteSuper Cute! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt - and I love the effort you are putting in to make reading enjoyable for these students! A favorite poem of mine for older students is "Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity." It is another keeper!
ReplyDeleteI wandered lonely as a cloud, that floats on high o'er vale and hills ....
ReplyDeleteI lived at the top of a long hill, arches of elms like a cathedral, and the wooded hills covered with daffodils in the spring. Sometimes we referred to it as "daffodil hill". Now that was a poem I could relate to.
Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher! The public needs to hear more a bout teachers like you and less about teachers doing bad things.
ReplyDelete