This year, writing has been one of the most challenging subjects to teach virtually. Don’t get me wrong, my first graders are doing amazing. They’ve written small moments, how-to books, all about informational chapter books, and reviews of all kinds. I sometimes just struggle with not being able to see their writing like I would in a classroom. I wish I could peek over their shoulders, crouch down beside them, and actually see their writing in the moment. I rely on the students reading me their writing, which works well enough for ideas and content. It makes transfer of phonics and conventions a little tricky. Despite all of these challenges, we keep “trying our best”…which has quickly become our class mantra.
Last week, we launched a poetry study and I was so excited. I have really come to appreciate poems and poetry techniques as I have learned more as a teacher of writing. I’ve been able to dabble in my own poems and I enjoy the idea of looking at the world in a fresh new way.
Yesterday, we read Eloise Greenfield’s poem, Riding on the Train. We began by listening and envisioning. Then we moved onto noticing and sharing. We noticed this poem was written as a list, that Eloise Greenfield used words with the same beginning sound in many lines, and that she left us thinking with an interesting ending.
Next, we were ready to try our own poems. I sent all the kids off to a window with their writing paper. They worked hard to notice details that others may miss and to write those observations into a poem. They came back and forth to share their writing with me. I offered a tip and then back to the window they went.
Today, we expanded our view to the San Diego Zoo. I shared a link to the zoo’s live webcams and together we wrote a shared poem about what we observed on the lion cam (sadly no lions).
Then the kids were off on their own, left to roam the zoo freely. Some chose to watch the penguins, others the elephants. They tried their hand at noticing and writing.
Teaching writing virtually is challenging, but we’re doing our best!
Where There Is Joy 
Not only are you brilliantly teaching poetry…your building the writerly habit of not just seeing, but observing and thinking! Love these poems! It’s a class anthology that could be sent to the zoo!
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I’m doing this lesson tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what I get. My kids LOVE this unit!
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I love how you not only taught them to be observant when something’s right in front of them but also to connect with the zoo. What a fun and empowering lesson—sometimes our best is better than we ever dreamt it could be!
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I can only imagine how difficult it must be to teach G1s virtually. Well done for bringing in meaningful and creative lessons to your students!
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You are making the best of the unfair and challenging situation. Even if not fully there, roaming the zoo was interesting for the kids and inspired writing.
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Meanwhile, upstairs, we’re wondering if zoos are ethical…I’m certainly hoping so, since I would really like to go to one now. I really like the shared poem with “one thin tree” and “the rain falling down.” It really paints a picture. I also like the poem with the wings spread high. These are great images they’re creating.
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What a fun way to teach poetry!
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I really do love those poems and how you’re teaching them despite the difficulties of remote learning. Really hope you get back together with your class again soon.
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I own a picture book – Right Outside My Window. I love the way you sent them to a window to observe and write. A great idea! Also virtually visiting the zoo, writing a shared poem, and then letting them loose to explore and write on their own. I am so glad I visited your blog post today. Thank you! Fabulous!
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I love so much about this but perhaps most importantly, the power of observation and curiosity that arises when we do the simplest things: just looking out of a window. A whole world worthy of poetry opens up (though honestly, everything is worthy of poetry). TY for this lovely piece! Xx Nawal
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I love the line in one of them – the worn down walking path. I miss teaching poetry. Lucky kids!
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LOVE this! Might have to try it with the kindergartners I’ve been working with.
We’ve been using songs and changing up the words. I recommend it– so fun! We’ve collected a lot of different poems sung to the rhythm of Twinkle, Twinkle, with no emphasis on rhyming.
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Love this. We can swap lessons. Thanks for the idea!
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