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Janeczko, P.B. (Ed.). (2001). Dirty laundry pile. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN: 0-688-16251-7.
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: K-3
Summary: This compiled book of poetry focuses on the concept of voice. All of the poems are told in the voice of inanimate objects. For example, poems include “The Red Gloves”, “The Mosquito’s Song”, and “Old Tortoise”. As students read these poems, they will be transported into another viewpoint, and it will allow them to think of the roles of everyday objects in their lives.
Activity: The works of poetry in the book are typically defined as mask or persona poetry. After reading this work with students, help them create their own piece of persona poetry. Discuss with them what their favorite piece in the book was and why, and if it was successful in helping them to see another side of things. Then encourage them to try to write from the perspective of something in their life, using their favorite poem as inspiration.
For example: My favorite poem in this book is “The Mosquito’s Song” because it blends persona poem with concrete poetry; not only is the poem told from the perspective of the mosquito, but the poem is also arranged to make the shape of a mosquito. When writing my poem, I will try to make a concrete poem.
Just a Tube
Just a tube,
Sitting. Just sitting and
Hanging out around the lazy
River. You throw me into the cold
Water. I do not really enjoy this
very much. And you sit on me.
And squish me until I’m flat.
Why do you do this to me. I
was just lazing around in the sun.
The very, very warm sun. And
now I'm cold. Very cold.
Cold and wet.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: K-3
Summary: This compiled book of poetry focuses on the concept of voice. All of the poems are told in the voice of inanimate objects. For example, poems include “The Red Gloves”, “The Mosquito’s Song”, and “Old Tortoise”. As students read these poems, they will be transported into another viewpoint, and it will allow them to think of the roles of everyday objects in their lives.
Activity: The works of poetry in the book are typically defined as mask or persona poetry. After reading this work with students, help them create their own piece of persona poetry. Discuss with them what their favorite piece in the book was and why, and if it was successful in helping them to see another side of things. Then encourage them to try to write from the perspective of something in their life, using their favorite poem as inspiration.
For example: My favorite poem in this book is “The Mosquito’s Song” because it blends persona poem with concrete poetry; not only is the poem told from the perspective of the mosquito, but the poem is also arranged to make the shape of a mosquito. When writing my poem, I will try to make a concrete poem.
Just a Tube
Just a tube,
Sitting. Just sitting and
Hanging out around the lazy
River. You throw me into the cold
Water. I do not really enjoy this
very much. And you sit on me.
And squish me until I’m flat.
Why do you do this to me. I
was just lazing around in the sun.
The very, very warm sun. And
now I'm cold. Very cold.
Cold and wet.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce