Write You a River
The summer after my daughter LucyKate graduated from college, we wrote a daily Haiku. It was a really fun way to recap the day, or put our hopes and dreams out there for the universe. The traditional basis for Haiku is nature; I’d compare our Haikus to droplets, poems sparkling in the sun. Soaking into moss.
Here is an opportunity for kids in Kindergarten through 12th grades to try their hands at creating droplets, streams or rivers of words or art. River of Words is a free, annual, international poetry and art contest on the theme of watersheds for students K-12. If you don’t know what a watershed is, you’re not alone. I learned not so long ago. The entry deadline is December 1, 2010.
The Grand Prize for the River of Words contest is an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to attend an award ceremony at the Library of Congress, and inclusion in an annual poetry book of winning submissions. Every child, group or young adult that enters the contest will receive a personalized “Watershed Explorer” certificate. Kids enter on their own, through schools, or through organizations like 4-H, Campfire, Boys and Girls Club or Scouts.
River of Words could be an enhancement to your existing program, a creative stand-alone project, or a great opportunity for students to add to their individual artistic and creative portfolios. It could also be used as a small portion of a larger science project, art project, or research project. An educator’s guide for curriculum for instructors is available.
Take a few minutes to create your Haiku, ballad or picture!
On a tee shirt–
Haikus are easy
But sometimes they don’t make sense.
Refrigerator.
Haiku is one of the easiest writing projects to integrate into any topic of study; it lends itself very well to science studies, due to its traditional basis in nature. When I was still a classroom teacher, we did this very thing: design murals devoted to our science units, write/illustrate haikus, and post them in appropriate spots on the murals. The kids in my classrooms who struggled with language deficits– these students in particular enjoyed haiku, because it was a bite-sized chunk of language in 5/7/5 syllable beats. Just the right size to master! One more cause for celebratory learning!
Thanks for your comment. I totally agree!
Bright fall morning clouds
Softly scud on azure sky
Framed by my window
Clear skies at noonday
A jay samples millet at
The garden feeder.