Poetry Book Review - Mathematickles

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Franco, Betsy. 2003. Mathematickles! Ill. by Steven Salerno. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN 0689843577

REVIEW
This collection of poems and math riddles combines common math operations, playful words, and some figurative language to add some creativity to mathematics and logic. Each “mathematickle” is about a season and makes the reader think about how each one makes sense. Many of the poems use simple operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to show how different objects or feelings relate to one another. Other poems are written in graph from or on a grid. Some geometric verse incorporates the concrete poetry form, using rays, shapes, and angles within their words. Fractions and equations are not left out of this collection of riddles either. There are even a few science connections that can be made!

Although Franco’s poems and riddles may take some extra effort to completely comprehend, students will enjoy the language connection to the mathematical world. Salerno’s vibrant and colorful illustrations will also add an element of fun, as well as help young readers understand the meaning behind the verses. Educators will be able to find many curricular connections in this collection, particularly those that will help them to make mathematical thinking patterns more concrete to students that do not work well with numbers. This will also allow their students to think of math in a different way, using fractions to find “lightning = 2/3 triangle + 2/3 triangle + 2/3 triangle,” and more. These riddles also demonstrate a fabulous use of figurative language and play-on words that can be used for teaching language arts. This unique poetic form will attract elementary readers of all grades, as it gives them the opportunity to enjoy the language of poetry while learning a little math! This collection would certainly enhance any poetry collection serving elementary readers.

SELECTION #1
pumpkin – seeds + face = jack-o’-lantern

SELECTION #2
rocks x waves = sand

SELECTION #3
hexagons x frozen lace= snow flurry

*All selections by Betsy Franco

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “an enchanting collection of poems in an unusual format.”
Starred review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This book's jazzy, wholly original approach elevates basic mathematical concepts plus wordplay to the level of inspiration.”
BOOK LIST: “Using this colorful book as a springboard, language arts teachers can challenge their students to write their own mathematickles.”

CONNECTIONS
*After reading this book (or just a few selections that relate to the current content being covered) have the students write their own mathematickles.” Start a class book or bulletin board of the students’ poems/riddles that they can contribute to throughout the year.
* Use this poetry form in other curricular areas besides math. Support the science curriculum by writing riddle equations about science concepts. Students can write their own, too.

Poetry Break - Biographical Poetry

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Medina, Tony. 2002. Love to Langston. Ill. by R. Gregory Christie. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN 1584300418

INTRODUCTION
Show the students pictures of Langston Hughes. Explain to them that the poetry they are going to hear is part of a biographical poetry collection, written from Langston Hughes’ perspective. Hughes’ name is not mentioned, but the poem is about him. Ask the students what they know about growing up as an African American in the early/mid 1900’s.

Sometimes Life Ain’t Always a Hoot
by Tony Medina

Sometimes life ain’t
always a hoot
or a holler

But if you manage
to give it
a bother

Even if you miss
your mother
or don’t like
your father

There’ll be better days
up ahead

A whole mess of
happenin’ days
up ahead

You can sit and sulk
suck your teeth
and sigh

or love and laugh
and live life
by and by

EXTENSION
The end of this book has additional information about Langston Hughes as related to each poem. Share the section about this poem that talks about the high and low points in Hughes’ life. If time allows, read other poems from this collection. The students will learn more about an important American poet while learning about events/eras in history. Some great curricular tie-ins are “Jim Crow Row” or “Little Boy Blues.”

Poetry Break - Spring

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alarcon, Francisco X. 1997. Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems = Jitomates Risuenos y otros poemas de primarvera. Ill. by Maya Christina Gonzalez. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press. ISBN 0892391391

INTRODUCTION
Show the students pictures of a Cinco de Mayo celebration or parade. Do not tell them what they are looking at, but rather ask them what they think is going on in the pictures. You may choose to give them a few clues to help the students make more informed guesses.

Cinco de Mayo
by Francisco X. Alarcon

a battle
in some
history books

a fiesta
of music
and colors

a flag
waving
occasion

a flirting
dance
and a piñata

orchata
corn chips
and guacamole

a mango
with some chile
and lemon

a cry
of joy
and spring

yes, summer
vacation is just
around the corner!


Notes below poem:

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating a victory of Mexican patriots over an invading French army in Puebla, Mexico, the fifth of May, in 1862.

Orchata is a tasty rice drink.

EXTENSION:
Read a short article about Cinco de Mayo (can be found using online encyclopedias or databases). Give the students information about what Cinco de Mayo is and why it is celebrated. If there are any Hispanic students in the class, have them describe how they celebrate Cinco de Mayo. You may also have a student who can read in Spanish (or if you are able) read the Spanish translation of this poem.

Poetry Break - Unrhymed poetry

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gottfried, Maya. 2007. Good Dog. Ill. by Robert Rahway Zakanitch. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375830499

INTRODUCTION: Each poem in Good Dog is written from the perspective of a dog. The following poem has no title, but its “author” is a springer spaniel. You can introduce this poem by showing pictures of dogs (or more specifically springer spaniels) or share a short story about one of your own canine experiences.

Springer Spaniel
By Maya Gottfried

Mmm, mmm, mmm, scratching behind my ear.

Chasing that duck across the grass.

Swooshing and splashing in the pond.
In the sun.

Running and running and running.

Digging in the warm, dry dirt.

Thired, resting on the big blanket.
Beside you.


EXTENSION: Students can discuss with a partner what things they think their own pets would say to them, or you can do this as a group discussion. If more time allows, students can write their own poem from an animal’s perspective.

Poetry Book Review - Verse Novel: Love That Dog

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. 2001. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 006029289X

REVIEW
This collection of poems displays the emotions of a boy, Jack, who is reluctant to be a poet. When his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, asks him to write poetry, he is convinced that it is for girls, “he can’t do it - brain’s empty.” Throughout the school year, Jack’s attitude toward poetry goes through many progressions. He eventually starts to understand poems he reads, writes good ones of his own, but is hesitant to claim his work. He demonstrates his feelings for a pet, other poetry, Walter Dean Myers, and more. The poems are all written by Jack, however there is obviously communication going on between him and his teacher. In the end, he begins to feel comfortable with others reading his work, and he is given the opportunity to meet Walter Dean Myers!

Creech’s poetry weaves together in this verse novel for readers of about fourth grade and up. The words are not particularly difficult for readers, but the symbolism in some may be lost on younger readers. Various forms are used within this novel, but most poems are written in free verse. Children who share Jack’s initial resistance to poetry may relate to many of his words and become hooked as his viewpoint changes. All students will find a familiar experience in these words, as at some point or another they struggle with their own self-image. The title of this book is a bit deceiving, since only a few of the poems are actually about a dog, but this turned out to be a welcomed misinterpretation. Included at the end are all the poems that were alluded to in Jack’s poems, too. Creech’s expressive words through Jack evoke emotion and offer thought-provoking situations to readers - a good read.

SELECTION
May 17 (by Jack)
By Sharon Creech

Okay.
I guess.
I’ll put my name on it.

But I hope it doesn’t make
people feel too sad
and if it does
maybe you could
think of something
to cheer everybody up
like maybe with
some of those brownies
you make
the chocolate ones
that are so good?


AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee 2002-2003, Texas Library Association
BOOKLIST: “Best of all, the story shows how poetry inspires reading and writing with everyday words that make personal music.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “a quality that will have many young listeners enthralled.”

CONNECTIONS:
* This book would be a great introduction to beginning poetry journals in class. Students can write their feelings, emotions, etc. about anything to their teacher, who will respond with either his/her own poetry or just a written response.
* Use the poem written for Walter Dean Myers (p 55 - 59), and have the students write their own poem to a writer/poet they like.

Poetry Break - Unusual Form (pantoum)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. 2007. This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780618616800

INTRODUCTION: This poem is written in the form called pantoum. In this form, the second and fourth lines of each stanza are repeated in the next stanza as the first and third lines. These poems typically rhyme, but (as stated by the fictitious teacher in the book) meaning is more important than rhyming. This poem is more suited to intermediate or even secondary students, but can still be appreciated by younger children who have grasped the idea of a deeper poem that is far from funny and light. This is Just to Say is a book with poems of apology and forgiveness, so this poetry break has two parts, the first using pantoum and the second written in free verse.

Part 1: Apology - from Anthony to his mother
Spelling Bomb
By Joyce Sidman

I can’t believe I lost.
I know I disappointed you.
Do you really think I don’t care?
I know how important it is to win.

I know I disappointed you;
I saw it in your face when I misspelled.
I know how important it is to win;
I studied hours and hours.

I saw it in your face when I misspelled.
I saw you turn away from me.
Even though I study hours and hours,
I never seem to be your champion.

I saw you turn away from me
and in that moment would have given anything
to be your champion.
To see your bright, triumphant pride.

In this moment, I would give anything-
Do you really think I don’t care?-
For your bright triumphant pride,
Which I can’t believe I lost.

By Anthony

Part 2: Response - from Tenzin to Anthony
Some Reasons Why
By Joyce Sidman

Why must we work so hard,
and always be the best?


Parents say:
Hard work builds character.
I say:
Too much hard work means no laughter.

Parents say:
Only the best get ahead.
I say:
Everyone’s good at something.

Parents say:
Daydreaming is just an excuse for laziness.
I say:
They just never learned how to write a poem.

By Tenzin (writing for Anthony’s mother, who said he was being ridiculous)


EXTENSION: Have the students discuss with a partner about a time when they disappointed someone. If more time allows, the students may write their own apology poem and give it to the recipient. Or, have them write their own pantoum poem about any subject they choose.

**Side note - This is Just to Say is a fantastic collection of poetry. The premise of the book is unlike any other, and the poems are each packed with meaning. Many of them touch on issues including the betrayal of a friend, loss of a pet, misbehavior in school, and even one that may be read into as possible suicide or abandonment. There are, however, a few light-hearted poems to lift the mood a bit. Don’t miss out on this book; it is a must-read!