Module One - Introducing Poetry - School Poetry

Bibliographic Citation:
Dakos, Kalli. 1995. If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School. Ill. by G. Brian Karas. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0689801165.

Review

Dakos creates the ultimate atmostphere for her collection of poems focused on life at school through her choice of words that fill readers heads with images of "all things school". She leaves no ground uncovered as she explores everything from unfinished homework to show-and-tell with a worm. The imagery found in "The Mighty Eye" is sure to leave one quivering in their shoes if they ever encountered a teacher with an evil eye. The pencil sketch by Karas, accompanying this poem and those scattered throughout the book add a bit of detail. The collection of 38 poems is sure to be a hit with elementary aged students as they can easily find themselves making connections with the poems.

Poem Title

"Poor Substitute"

Gretchen has taken Freddy’s chair,
Andrew’s desk has no one there.

Sally was fighting for Tommy’s space,
She won the battle and took the place.

Daryl is working at Jennie’s desk,
And Joe just finished Maria’s test.

Substitute teacher, you’d better beware,
Alicia just plopped in the teacher’s chair.

Introduction or Follow-up Activity
As the librarian I would share this poem with my students at the beginning of school. I would ask them if they have ever had something like this happen with a substitute. I would talk to them about showing respect for our substitutes and remind them that they are representing themselves and our school to others whenever a substitute is in our building. I would talk to students about ideas for other poems that might be written about things that happen at school.