My earliest memory of writing poetry was back in primary school. In Grade 3 I wrote a poem about Springtime. We were probably all told to write a poem about springtime... My classmates seemed to like the words I created way back then and suggested I share it with our teacher. So, I did that too and our teacher liked it too and asked me to share it with the class.  I cannot recall the exact words of that particular springtime poem. The words have long vanished I'm afraid. However, I have never forgotten the feelings that washed over me knowing other writers liked my words. That response lit a spark energizing me to continue, to persist. My self belief was instantly boosted. I had been awakened to the power of words- the power of poetry. I wanted more of that feeling and the only way to obtain it was to write more of the same- poetry. It is true that when we feel something we are doing is valued by those around us, an energy is produced and we are more inclined to contin...

Thanks to the wonderful Michael Rosen, (the poet who gave us the enduring appeal of 'Chocolate Cake') for providing this simple, yet effective poetry prompt! Topic/focus: After Dark 3 Questions to prompt the poet within... What can you see? What can you hear? What are you thinking? And the result is thus! (Whispered) After dark (Whispered) After dark A cat darts across the street Car lights dance and dazzle And bats take flight (Whispered) After dark (Whispered) After dark Crickets sing Owls hoot in the gathering gloom Sirens wail in the city streets (Whispered) After dark (Whispered) After dark Is my door securely locked? Can ghosts squeeze down the chimney? Is the moon shining brightly? (Whispered) After dark (Whispered) After dark I urge you to try it for yourself

The effective use of mentor texts is something worth sharing. Exposing impressionable young writers to exemplars and allowing the words of a trusted author to influence the writing student writers produce, is important in our work as teachers of writing, and teachers of writers. My friend and colleague, Leanne Hunter currently teaches Grade 3 at Toorak College, Mount Eliza in my home state of Victoria. Leanne choose to read a personal favourite of mine,  'Pookie Aleera Is Not My Boyfriend,'   by Steven Herrick  to her eager young learners. In this verse novel, award-winning author Steven Herrick presents a heart-warming tale about friendship, grief and the importance of baked goods. In a country town, in a school just like the schools you know, the kids in Class 6A tell their stories.  – it's honest, quirky, funny and frequently heartfelt. It is written from many characters' points of view - the cool kid, the funny kid, the bullied kid, the teacher,...

I found this wordplay idea in Dave Morice’s book, ‘ The Adventures of Dr. Alphabet- 101 unusual way to write poetry in the classroom and the community. ’ It appealed as a way to make poetry, while playing with language at the same time. Here's what you need to do: Begin by opening a dictionary and choosing a word. Write that word down, then write down the next two, three or four main entry words. Your next step is to take your listed words and combine them (entering them in dictionary order) with your own words to make a poem. Here's what emerged in my notebook: I figured I would try figure-skating Around a figurine While holding a figwort in my favoured hand. I flailed. Some people thought Laurence Somewhat lackadaisical Others claimed his performance, lacklustre. Laurence claimed he was merely laconic. Grinning, he nonchalantly raised his hand to touch his lacquered hair. Glitter ice formed on the tree In Godfrey’s winter garde...

Shadorma is a Spanish 6-line syllabic poem of 3/5/3/3/7/5 syllable lines respectively.    If the mood takes you, you might link multiple 'shadorma.' Here are a couple of Shadormas I made earlier. Winter Winds Waves and wind Wrestle out to sea Tumble, crash Slap and smash A wintery encounter  The shoreline resists Lost in Transit Please help me It appears I'm lost This way first That way next No direction works for me In a circle constantly

As I have stated many times, poetry and wordplay are the best of friends. We should never pass up an opportunity to play with language. The more we practice, the easier it becomes. This poem contains a lot of action words. This is deliberate. Verbs are the muscles of writing- they do the heavy lifting. I have chosen words I frequently  hear used in everyday idiomatic language. I have quite deliberately tried to reposition them to deliver a different kind of message. I had fun creating a picture of Felix focusing on his somewhat questionable behaviour.  Action Without Traction  Felix was a fitness fanatic Who spent his days- Leaping to the wrong conclusion While  jumping the gun Racing against the clock And skipping meals Bending the rules And skirting issues He would throw tantrums And dash all hope Felix was spreading the word While catching his breath Bouncing ideas around And frequently stretching the truth In such questionable ac...