Poetry:
Ballads, Form, and Shape Poems
By
Shelley Kalchert and Denise Rico
What is Poetry? Who knows?
Not a rose, but the scent of the rose;
Not the sky, but the light in the sky;
Not the fly, but the gleam of the fly;
Not the sea, but the sound of the sea;
Not myself, but what makes me
See, hear, and feel something that prose
Cannot: and what it is, who knows.
“Poetry” Eleanor Farjeon
Poetry is writing that is concerned with the beauty of language. Ballads are a form of verse that
tells a story, generally narratives, often set to music. Form poems arrange words on the page to
affect their look, applying emphasis to some words. Shape poems arrange the typed words to
create the shape of the object described by the words of the poem.
As with any form of quality literature, good poems must follow the same criteria. Skillfully
utilizing insight, language, and imagery is a requirement. Due to the shortness in length of
poems, special emphasis targets certain qualities such as sounds, images, and insight.
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Poems do not need to rhyme. If they do, the reader should not be able to predict what the
words at the end of the lines will be, nor should the rhymes distract from the meanings or
images of the poem.
Fixed rhythms are not required for poems. Without fixed rhythms throughout, it becomes
difficult to match the meaning of the poem with the pace of the reading, thus requiring
syllables written in by the poet.
Good poems allow the reader to visualize clear images in their mind. Precise word
choices and usage of metaphors, similes, and symbols allow the reader to explore beyond
their experiences.
Good poems raise spirits and increase awareness with surprises and new or informed
observations.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Author and Illustrator:Simms Taback
Genre:Poetry
Grade Range: Primary
Plot Summary: In this Caldecott Award winning transformation
of a classic folk song, Simms Taback takes readers on a journey
unlike any other. Readers follow along as the old lady eats one
thing after another in hopes of ridding herself of each item she has previously eaten.
Reader Response Activity: After reading the story to the class, I would discuss with the students
if they believed it was possible to eat these foods and if they were healthy for them. This book
could be used as a transition into a science unit about nutrition.
The Spider and the Fly
Author: Mary Howitt
Illustrator: Tony DiTerlizzi
Genre: Poetry
Grade Range: Primary
Plot Summary: In this trickster tale, the cunning spider tries to
convince an incredulous fly to enter his web. He offers a place to
rest, food and flattery. In the end, vanity outweighs sensibility.
Reader Response Activity: After the read aloud, the class can discuss the ways the spider tried to
trick the fly. The story could connect to a lesson on safety. Another extension could include art.
Students can draw pictures of the fly, the spider, and his web.
Come To My Party and Other Shape Poems
Author: Heidi B. Roemer
Illustrator: Hideko Takashashi
Genre: Poetry
Grade Range: Primary
Plot Summary: Divided into seasons, the poems in each season
discuss objects or activities occurring during that season. The
arrangement of the words form the shape of the objects they
describe.
Reader Response Activity: After the read aloud, as a transition into a science unit about the
seasons, students can create a book of seasons. Labeling four sheets of paper, one each for
spring, summer, autumn and winter, students can draw pictures of objects or activities they enjoy
during each season.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Author & Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Grade Range: Primary
Plot Summary: This book is filled with all lengths of poems, from short and
to-the-point, to three-page narratives, and everything in between. The poems
are funny, poignant, irreverent, imaginative, naughty, silly, sad, enchanting,
quirky, witty, and giddy. Nearly every poem is accompanied by a drawing that sometimes gives the
reader a bit more clarification, and sometimes simply illustrates what is already there in the printed words.
Reader Response Activity: After reading some poems from Mr. Silverstein’s book, I would have my
students write their own poem and draw their own illustrations, broadening their imaginations and
expanding their knowledge on how to write poems.
Animal Crackers
Author & Illustrator: Jane Dyer
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: Primary
Plot Summary: Through child-friendly illustrations, Jane Dyer captures the
innocence of childhood. This collection of nursery rhymes, poems, and lullabies is
organized in a fun manner, concepts, seasons, food, animals, nursery rhymes,
playtime, and lullabies. She catches the reader’s attention by her fun colorful pictures and interesting way
of keeping the reader entertained with each poem.
Reader Response Activity: After discussing ballads and shape type of poems I would give them a pop
quiz on all type of poems, and then have them pick a type of poem to write. They have the option of
taking the wheel and writing whatever it is they want to write.
Poetry for Young People: Edgar Allan Poe
Author: Brod Bagert
Illustrator: Carolyn Cobleigh
Editor: Edgar Allen Poe
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: Primary- Secondary
Plot Summary: This book is about Edgar Allen Poe’s spine-tingling, spooky
stories. More than twenty of his poems and selections from his stories,
accompanied by mood-setting, full-color drawings and notes that make his work easier to understand, are
creaky doors opening the way into the many-chambered passage of this great American writer's talents.
Reader Response Activity: I would definitely read some of his spooky poems during to the class aloud,
maybe during Halloween to set the mood. I would then have students write a spooky poem of their own.