A Poke in the I

Poetry Workshop

A Poke in the I 

Edited by Paul Janesczko

Illustrated by Chris Raschka.

Published by Cadlewick Press, 2001

Lighthearted, humorous, a novelty for students, thought provoking, requires imagination  

 Awards:

• Publishers Weekly Cuffie Award Winner: Best Book of Poems 
• New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
• An ALA Notable Children's Book
• Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
• Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner 
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year - 2001
• American Library Association Notable Book for Children - 2002
• Emphasis on Reading Award - 2002

 

Summary:  

A Poke in the I is the poetry anthology that you hand to the child who claims to hate poetry. This anthology of concrete poems introduces children to the medium in a unique way, spanning various types of ways to write the poems with amusing illustrations included. One poem describes a swan, and is written in the shape of a swan. Another is simply the word "cat" conveniently placed in an armchair drawn by the illustrator. For anyone who wants to teach concrete poetry, this book should be required reading.

Reading Level: Lexile Framework NP, Grade 5.1

Suggested Delivery: Read aloud, poetry workshop

Description: Poetry anthology

Key Vocabulary (by page number): concrete poem (1), smitten (8), stowaway (9), queue (14), ruralities (16),  pauillac (16), goring (23)

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Students should be given time to express their opinion about concrete poems. Perhaps they could do this by writing an opinion piece!
2.  Some students may benefit from a graphic organizer when completing the "during reading" activity. Advanced students would benefit by creating their own. Struggling students would benefit from a template.
3. Teachers should make the rest of the books in this trilogy: A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout and A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms by the same editor and illustrator, available to students.

Comprehension Strategies

Pre-Reading- Since concrete poetry is so different from the poetry that students are familiar with, they should be given time to discuss in class what they think about concrete poetry before reading. Do students like it, hate it? Why?

“Balloon” by Colleen Thibaudeau

During Reading- As they read, Have students categorize the poems within the book. This can be done in many ways, but here is an example: those that are one word poems, those that are shaped like the subject of the poem, ones where word size emphasizes meaning, etc. Students should be allowed to come up with their own categories so that the activity is more meaningful.

Post-Reading-  Host a poetry reading! The community, another class, or even the principal could be invited to join students in a regular poetry reading, giving students pride in their own writings.

Writing Activity: Students could each write their own concrete poem. Since concrete poem's are imaginative and follow no rules, students should be encouraged to use photos, art supplies, anything they want to represent their concrete poem. Here is an example concrete poem that I created (using the electronic resource below) that could be made in the shape of a star:

Star.
Five pointed yellow,
hot bright light,
make a wish.
 

Electronic Resources:

Poetry Box Rules 
This  resource provides students with an introduction to writing poetry, tools and form. The way it is written is like a set of guidelines for writers, which will help students to feel like just that- writers.

"Theme Poem" Interactive
This online interactive is a great starting point for students to write concrete poems, taking them through the drafting process. The manipulative provides students with shapes, has them brainstorm adjectives about the shape, and then prompts students to write using their adjectives as abase for their poem.

Janeczko, P. B., & Raschka, C. (2001). A poke in the I. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.