All posts in Shoesmith

Poets Become Time Travelers

Shoesmith 5th & 6th graders became time travelers for their 3rd week of poetry. We explored how to use our five senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight) to recall memories. Week 3’s theme […]

Spring Pictures & Self-Portraits!

Last week on Friday, 5th and 6th graders didn’t just have their 2nd week of poetry, but it was also Spring Picture Day. Students were dressed to impress in vibrant colors: pinks, yellows, blues, […]

Sensory Poems

Today, 4th grade students tapped into their senses. We read a poem written by Noah – 6th grader – called “The Memories of South Troop,” and noticed how the poet described details of their […]

When Is the Right Time to Write Poetry?

It’s exciting to be back at Shoesmith again. I saw familiar faces, met new students, and was greeted warmly by teachers and staff. Last Friday for their first session of poetry, 5th and 6th […]

Shoesmith 4th graders 2024: Let us Introduce Ourselves

The 1st session in my 4th year of being invited to engage Shoesmith 4th graders in poetry was 🔥! It included sweet reunions with staff, teachers, and former students at the front desk, in […]

Bittersweet

For the last day of this year’s poetry residency, we played alliteration and word-association games. We talked about what it means to graduate, and how the end of the school year can feel – […]

Collaborative Creativity

Last week Shoesmith 4th graders read Kwame Alexander’s How to Write a Poem, and then worked collaboratively to create poems inspired by our discussions. Ms. Lehner 4th Grade – Group 1 Roaring into Poetry […]

Mixing it Up

As our poetry residency for the school year draws to a close, enjoy these Recipe Poems by Shoesmith 4th graders! Ms. Lehner4th Grade – Group 1 How to be a Good Gymnastby Khadijah D. […]

Remember with 5th & 6th graders

For their 13th and last week of poetry this year, 5th and 6th graders explored their past memories. We discussed happy memories such as birthday parties, embarrassing memories we wish we could forget, sad […]

Snaps for Student Success!

Last Friday fourth graders were filled with fire, fun, and fabulous poetry because Shoesmith held a school- wide Poetry Slam! Organized by Ms. Lane, the Poetry Slam theme was “The Future We Want, The […]

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I’M FROM THE CITY LIGHTS / STREAMING OUT IN THE NIGHT / AND HUGE SKYSCRAPERS / TOWERING OVER THE LAKE – MELISSA E., 7TH GRADE POET