I was so delighted when Hannah sent me this piece of writing. Hannah is in Year 4 and goes to Redcliffs School in Christchurch. Thanks to the New Zealand book Council I got to visit this splendid school last year.
I love the way Hannah has worked at editing her piece. It is full of EYE catching detail, juicy words, dancing similes. This piece of writing is a JOY to read. Thank you Hannah! I have read it SEVEN times so far.
It is always special when you get a thank-you letter. And this one even has a Spring poem in the middle of it which is really cool. I was delighted to read Hannah’s poem. On a gusty wet day just what you need!
Hi Paula
Spring is….
Bye bye for now
On the last morning of my tour of Christchurch I went to Redcliffs School. They are now housed in Van Asche School for the Deaf in Sumner and, as Skye told me when she showed me round, it is like a little village. Their old school is at the bottom of the cliffs that subsided — and you can still see the houses perched precariously on the knife edge of the cliff.
It was a great visit and I loved the interview by students (on an iPad) for the school programme.
I got asked such good questions at this school, I am sending the library a copy of my poetry book, Flamingo Bendalingo (thanks to Thomas and Joshua for great questions). Hannah asked me the most surprising and wonderful question I have been asked in awhile: ‘Did you have a best friend when you were at school and did that best friend love poetry like you did and did that best friend help you with words?” My answer was: ‘No I didn’t, but now that I am grown up I do have a best friend who loves poetry and helps me with words!’ I loved that question so much I am sending Hannah my book The Terrible Night.
It is a good for the publishers, but sadly nearly all my children’s books are out-of-print or nearly out-of-print (maybe 5 copies left). Just as well as there are still copies of Flamingo Bendalingo we can still buy (I have just ordered some more to give away). And luckily I have two new children’s poetry books coming out next year!
It was extra special to go to Redcliffs as Skye has a poem that will be in my treasury of poems coming out next year. She read it to the school so beautifully.
And to celebrate my 200th post, I had posted this poem by Siena ( a few weeks ago). She is 7, in Year 3 and also goes to Redcliffs School.
I was delighted to hear Siena read this poem and give her a copy of Macaroni Moon.
Rain tree
Rain trees can flood
thunder bolts bang,
trees rustle as they
move side to side,
snow falls down
Rain makes puddles so you can play in drizzle,
you might be allowed to play in it
Big raindrops fall from the sky
When rain drops it makes mud on dirt
I like playing in the rain
I can’t wait until holiday time to post one of your poems so here is a poem by Mitchell. I don’t think I have ever written an acrostic poem in my life! I should give it a go because it looks like fun. Mitchell has been on the hunt for things that happen in winter. I love the way the trees are losing their leaves and we have to wrap up warm in bed to escape the cold (luckily the trees in my garden are natives so they don’t stand in our garden bare and shivering). Mitchell’s last line is full of lovely alliteration — it’s like a rugby ball is rrrrunning along the line! Magnificent job Mitchell!
Winter and acrostic poem
OOh I liked this list poem so much I am sending Skye a copy of my book Macaroni Moon! I commented it on my last post. I only have a few copies left! Redcliffs School you have a done a great job with all the poems you sent in.
The Race
The gun goes
The splash comes
Nervous parents
twiddle thumbs
closing in
on the line
almost there
fastest time
golden cup
flashing brightly
I skipped back
Very sprightly.
Skye. Aged 8, Year 4, Redcliffs School.
List poems are such fun to write and are the perfect opportunity to play with words.
List poems can have set patterns but you can play with the pattern. List poems often sound really good when you read them out loud because they can have great rhythm. Some list poems come alive with delicious rhyme. List poems often surprise you but some list poems can make you laugh or remember things that put a smile on your face.
I had such fun reading all your list poems it was hard picking my favourites. You all did an amazing job. So bravo to you! It was such a popular challenge I think we will do it again later in the year.
Sam S from Ohaupo School has already been a winner on Poetry Box but his list poem, ‘Life is Trouble’ ticked all the right boxes for me. Poems come alive with great detail and Sam was an expert at finding great examples of things going wrong. I loved the way the poem changes track at the end and surprises you (not that poems always have to do this!). The poem sounds really good too. Great job Sam. I will send you a copy of my book Flamingo Bendalingo thanks to Auckland University Press.
Life is trouble
I hurt
When I do something wrong
When I flip off my bike
When my guinea pig died
When my sister is bossy
When I flew off the flying fox
When I get stuck in a fight
When I bang my toe on the door
When I get a whooper cold
When I got my warts freezed off
When I see something funny
I laugh
By Sam S 8yr Year 4 Ohaupo School
Skye hasn’t written your usual list poem with a set pattern but as a list of things happening at a race it works magnificently! I love the pace, the tension, the sound, the rhythm, the words chosen. Great job Skye!
The Race
The gun goes
The splash comes
Nervous parents
twiddle thumbs
closing in
on the line
almost there
fastest time
golden cup
flashing brightly
I skipped back
Very sprightly.
Skye. Aged 8, Year 4, Redcliffs School.
Ewen sent in three list poems but this was my favourite. The poem really makes the clothes come alive — from the ones she loved to the ones that weren’t so good to wear! This poem also has great detail and has a great ending! Great job Ewen.
Clothes of inheritance
The grubby size six Popeye shirt
that I had two of.
The mickey mouse t-shirt and shorts
that I used to wear as pyjamas.
The blue and orange skate boarding top
that I couldn’t recall wearing.
The navy blue denim jacket
that made me feel all stiff.
The orange and black pants
that were prickly and hairy.
The browny grey jeans
that were so prodigious.
The dull red shirt
that was as thick as snow.
These inherited clothes are history
but the next lot is a mystery.
Ewen W aged 10, Year 6, Fendalton Open Air Primary School
Patrick has written a thoughtful list poem that brings together opposites so it really makes you think. List poems can be really good at that. He has ended up giving a fuller picture of what music might be. Great job Patrick!
Music Is
Music is the rising sun,
But also the dark side of the moon,
Music is the beauty of nature,
But also pollution of the planet,
Music is the spirit of life,
But also the coming of death,
Music is the greatest happiness,
But also the strongest sadness.
By Patrick K, aged 10, Room 11, Fendalton Open Air School.
And here are some more poems from Redcliffs School. I think I had as much fun reading these as you had writing them! Great job! I love Hamish’s ‘carpet of sand’ and Olivia’s mouth watering chicken list and I really loved Mitchell’s line “Hey don’t wear those, throw them in the bin” kind of shoes. Bravo Redcliffs School and bravo to your teachers Ann and Dion!
The beach
I see …..
shells
waves crashing
dogs playing
friendly faces
stones
carpet of sand
stones
boats
whales
the setting sand.
Hamish Aged 8 Redcliffs School.
My Brother
He is …
Kind
Caring
Annoying
Friendly
Playful
Loving
That’s my awesome brother.
Raffy, aged 8 Redcliffs School.
Chicken
I eat chicken
Chicken noodles
Crispy chicken
Marinated chicken
Battered chicken
Spicy chicken
Kentucky fried chicken
Chicken nibbles
Butter chicken
Nando chicken
I like chicken.
Olivia C Year 6, Aged 10, Redcliffs School.
I like Beans.
Cocoa beans
Green beans
Canned beans
Humungous beans
Tiny beans
Frozen beans
Baked beans
BOOM !!
Mark, Year 6, Aged 10 Redcliffs School.
Fav Food.
I eat eyeball
I eat fish
I eat everything
That is delish
I eat ice cream
I eat mince
Best of all
Smoores yum!!
Charli, Year 4, Redcliffs School, Aged 8
Shoes
Sneakers
High heels
Ugg boots
Jandals
Gumboots
Sandals.
Shoes.
Emma, Aged 8 Redcliffs School.
Cheese
I eat cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Edam cheese
Blue brie cheese
Camber cheese
Colby cheese
Tasty cheese
Gourda cheese
I like cheese.
Olivia C, Aged 9 Redcliffs School.
Lollies
I like lollies
Spinning tops, Lolly Pops
Smelly pops
TNT like
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM
I like lollies
But not too many!
By Charlie H aged 7, Year 3 Redcliffs School
I like colours
Sparkly Blue
Leafy Green
Crunchy Red
Pretty Pink
Primrose Purple
Sun Yellow
Bright Indigo
Lava Orange
First Gold
Paper White
Second Silver
Dark Black
Dolphin Grey
Bull Brown
Jewel Emerald
I like colours
By Siena C aged 6, Year 2 Redcliffs School
I Love shoes
Yellow shoes
Black Shoes
High Heeled Shoes
Smelly Shoes
Stinky Shoes
Worn out shoes
“Hey don’t wear those, throw them in the bin”
All kinds of shoes
I love shoes
By Mitchell aged 6, Year 2 Redcliffs School
Books
Small books
Big books
Cool books
Funny books
Bunny books
Sea books
Animal books
Silly Books
Fish Books
Wish books
Nonfiction books
Fiction books
Thinking books
I like fiction books
By Ethan aged 7 Year 3, Redcliffs School
Poetry Box 