I may not have been sharing much poetry here on my blog, but my past month has involved lots of poetry related tasks. I have been finishing off last edits on Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose, a resource for Australian teachers, which will be out in August through PETAA, the Primary English Teacher’s Association. With a blend of poems (my own and others) and practical ideas for teaching poetry in the primary school classroom, I am hoping it will be a handy resource for Australian teachers and help get more poetry into the hands and hearts of children.
Then, last weekend, I presented at the 56th International Conference of UKLA (The UK Literacy Association). How strange to be presenting from my loungeroom on a cold winter’s evening, to people from around the world. My session focussed on verse novels including my own, and how they can be used in the classroom.
The time differences made it difficult to attend all of the other sessions – most of them happened in the middle of the night, my time – but how lovely to be able to listen, where I could, to passionate educators all wanting to ensure every child has the best possible access to literature and literacy.
One session I did get to was a workshop run by Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves, a UK based lecturer and fellow poetry advocate. In a 30 minute session, Rebecca gave attendees a taste of four different poetic forms – and even got us writing. Not a bad feat in such a short space of time.
One form that was new to me was the Hay(na)ku. You’ll find a great explanation, including the history of the form, here. Simply, though, a hay(na)ku is a three line poem with just six words – one on the first line, two on the second and three on the third. Simple, huh? Well, yes and no – because of course with so few words you have to choose carefully.
Here was my first attempt, during the workshop:
Mushrooms
taste like
mud to me.
(This was a little tongue in cheek – in a previous exercise we had to argue for or against mushrooms, and so when it came to this exercise, my mind was still working on that).
Afterwards, I wanted to try again, and, because my whole day had been about poetry, the topic seemed obvious. So, here’s my second attempt:
Poetry
flows from
page to heart.
And, much later still my third attempt, after reflecting on the differences of this online conference versus the in person version, initially scheduled to be in Oxford but, of course, cancelled. because of the pandemic.
Conferences
can happen
without leaving home.
You know what else can happen without leaving home? Poetry Friday! Today’s roundup of poetry goodness is hosted by Margaret. Head over there and read her touching poem written during the Covid 19 lockdowns. And then, why don’t you try your hand at a hay(na)ku of your own?
What a fun post, Sally! You’ve certainly sparked hay(na)ku fever! The comment thread was a delight to read. Thanks for introducing me to the hay(na)ku and congrats on your upcoming book! It sounds like it will be a welcome and invaluable resource to many.
Thank you Molly
Always
a pleasure
to have Molly here 🙂
Oh
what fun
hay(na)ku brevity brings…
Love your post Sally, and the mushroom mud poem. Congrats on the book, I would love hearing more about it, thanks!
Joy
When hay(na)ku
meets Poetry Friday.
Thanks Michelle. There will be more about the book closer to release 🙂
Poet
friends
lift my soul.
My
soul soars
with poetry friends 🙂
I’m thrilled to hear about your book. It sounds like it will do for the teachers in your hemisphere what Amy LV’s book POEMS ARE TEACHERS did up north. And thank you for the new poetry form!
I
love making
more with less.
When
Mary visits
there is poetry.
Thank you for dropping by and for your kind words 🙂
Sally
Shares another
Irresistible poetry form.
Thanks Sally. You have been away but have returned with gifts to share.
Alan
always willing
to tackle challenges
Thanks for dropping by!
Oh, that IS a challenge. I’ll have to try it. Very cool! This one really sums up much about my last year, too: “Conferences/can happen/without leaving home.” (In my class, it was a class I was taking, but still!)
Thanks Susan. yes, one of the many things we have learnt this past year is how much can be done online.
Cuttlefish
linked to
evolutionary secrets…listen.
As I was reading your post, this news popped up on my NYTimes news alert. Who knew? Love the new to me form and to hear you are promoting poetry with teachers. There is not enough practical and necessary advice to teachers around poetry.
Margert
comes bearing
interesting new learning.
Thank you Margaret. Who knew indeed? Am off to din out more!
Poetry
Friday fiesta
on my screen
Yay! A new form to try. I would love to watch a re-cap of your presentation if it’s available (no pressure). I love to use verse novels with teaching and am always up for learning tips to get them more readers. How wonderful that you got to “go” to the conference. But, ouch! I would so love to have flown to Oxford! The storytelling festival there is on my bucket list. Someday–sigh.
Linda
drops in
sharing my love.
Thank you Linda. there isn’t a video of my presentation but I might try to recap in a blog post sometime soon.
Another form for me to try! Thank you, Carol. I will try these … your mushroom poem reminds me that my grands and I tried a chocolate bar that had no sugar… it did taste like mud!
Yick! Muddy chocolate !
Thank you for visiting Karen.
Sally
builds creativity
shares poetry resources
Thanks for this! It is good to see you today. All the best with your final edits, and congratulations on the publication of the book.
Thank you Denise.
When
friends leave
comments I smile.
6 word poems are kind of an irresistible challenge, aren’t they? Thank you for sharing, Sally. xo
You sound like you have been busy, Sally. But a wonderful way to be busy!
Finally
Poetry Friday
makes the list
(I’m delighted to have finally linked in again this week.)
And I am delighted to have you visit this week too:
When
Kat drops
by I smile
🙂
Sally, your new book sounds fascinating and I love that your mission is “to help get more poetry into the hands and hearts of children”. I am so glad that you introduced me to a new poetry form: hay(na)ku. Poem #2 resonates with me for its tender and true thought. As for #3, I was asked to give a live, virtual presentation for teachers and think I will use your conference hay(na)ku as an opening thought. This way, I can introduce the teachers to an Aussie poet who always delights me with poetic goodness.
Thank you Carol. I love the thought that this form was introduced to me from an English poetry enthusiastic, then this Aussie has now passed it on to be used by you in the US> International collaboration! And I love that you can use it for your conference, too. And you are so kind in your words too 🙂