For our final poetry classes, we decided to hold the first ever Solomon student reading. 3rd, 4th and 5th graders gathered in the gymnasium, presenting their favorite poems written over the twenty weeks of the residency one by one, as well as in groups. What a great event—the perfect way to wrap-up another terrific year at Solomon!

Thanks to all the teachers—Mrs. Jones, Mr. Sandlass and Mrs. Goode—for their continued support of the Hands on Stanzas program. Extra thanks to Principal Moy, for welcoming me back this year, and to Ms. Lasner and Ms. Quinn for emceeing the reading.

This week we read Looking Around, Believing by Gary Soto. We discussed what Soto means by the first line in the poem, "How strange that we can begin at any time," deciding that it is possible to change our lives and see new things simply by leaving the familiar behind. Everyone felt that this was a great poem for Spring, since it appeals to so many of our senses and also describes a feeling of newness and awakening.

This week, we read Alfred Tennyson's short poem, The Eagle, as illustrated by Dave Morice in his book, Poetry Comics.

Daylight Savings Time began on March 8th. The sun now sets later, spring break is right around the corner, and the school year is drawing to a close. Before you know it, summer will be here! But just as quickly, summer gives way to autumn and the cycle begins anew.

Some of the most interesting poems are nothing more than lists of things. In a list poem, the writer is telling you something—pointing something out—saying, "Look at this," or, "Think about that." This week, we read Arithmetic by Carl Sandburg, discussing the differences and similarities between math and poetry. I asked students why they thought he had written this poem—did he like math, or not?

Movies play a big part in most people's lives, whether they watch them on TV, DVD, computer screens, or the silver screen. What's interesting is the impression they make, culturally as well as aesthetically, on younger viewers. For something a bit different this past week, and because the Oscars are approaching, we read Noir by A.E. Stallings.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, for this week's class we read love is more thicker than forget by e. e. cummings. Students immediately took notice of the poet's non-use of capital letters and punctuation, and we talked about how leaving those normally important aspects of proper grammar out of the poem helps to focus the reader's attention on the words themselves.

The last two sessions at Solomon we focused on persona poems (also called dramatic monologues), which are poems written in the voice of a character other than the author.

Last week we read Loren Goodman's Recital, where a young boy recounts his experience participating in a solo piano performance.

For our first class back after the winter break and new year, we read Fons, by Pura López-Colomé, briefly discussing the poem's language, images, and use of mythology, especially the myth of Pandora's Box.