Poetry Friday: Celebrate Groundhog's Day with a Poem!

Groundhog Poem Poster (along with a fun snow poem)

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Many years ago, I began to use this fun poem about groundhog's day with my students. I am not sure where I found it and I never was able to identify an author. It is a simple poem that helps explain the mystery that seems to surround groundhog's day each year.

I first recite and dramatize the poem for the kids. Then we recite it again in an echo format. And, of course we follow with a choral recitation, as we all act like groundhogs.

As a final bit of groundhog fun, students attach the poem to the back of a groundhog stick puppet. Groundhog's Day would not be complete without this little poem celebration!

Stayed tuned for some pictures of our groundhog poem puppets!

 Happy "Poetry Friday!"  I am happy to be sharing and participating, once again,  in this wonderful community of poets and poetry lovers!  Today's "Poetry Friday Round-Up" is being hosted by April at Teaching Authors.  Stop over to her blog for a cup of tea and some poetry! 

Poetry Friday: Poetry Props! 1

   Skeleton Poetry Props!  Literacy teacher, Ellen Mouillesseaux and my 5th grade daughter, Sarah!

Today's Poetry Friday Round-Up is being hosted by Linda at Teacher Dance.  Make sure you stop on over to see what poetry goodies she has for our "Poetry Break!" pleasures!

   

Poetry Props . . . 

 Engaging Readers & Entertaining Audiences!

One of my favorite poems to introduce to children this time of year is Jack Prelutsky's spectacular Skeleton Parade!  Traditionally I dim the lights, introduce the idea of a skeleton and a parade of them on Halloween, turn on my spooky voice, and demonstrate how to dramatize the poem as it is recited.  Children love it and are captivated by the magic of a spooktacularly fun and engaging poem!  Prelutsky's poem is easily remembered and children are able to reread it several times afterwards with confidence in themselves because of the creative dramatics that we used to recite it in the first place.  This poem is one that certainly sticks with you!  

Earlier this week my good friend and colleague, Ellen Mouillesseaux (literacy curriculum specialist), presented me with a poetry present!  She had discovered a lovely little garland of skeletons at her local dollar store and cut the little guys off the garland to become individual skeleton props!  We all had such fun using the little skeletons as we recited Skeleton Parade!  Children dangled tiny skeletons off their finger, marionette-style, as their skeletons "marched about the streets with bony bodies, bony heads, bony hands, and bony feet!"  

If you are not already familiar with Skeleton Parade, march yourself to your school or public library to check out a Halloween poetry collection!  You can find Prelutsky's poem in a couple of different poetry collections or anthologies.  Here are a couple . . .