6 Fabulous Poetry Videos for Kids, from Hawaii to New York City and Back -- The Back Story

When NYC English teacher Jenny Kirsch asked me if I would recommend a good poetry video for her 5th graders, I was happy to look for gems for her. After all, we #GTANY chums support each other!

So, here is how it all played out:

@mauilibrarian2 Hey Linda! Any poetry videos you'd recommend? Been scouring YouTube but not finding anything great...
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

@msjennykirsch For what grade level, Jenny?
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@msjennykirsch And what are you looking for? Inspiration? How-to? Examples?
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@mauilibrarian2 5th grade, examples, poets reading their work, etc?
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

(1)

@msjennykirsch I ❤ this: «Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life on TED.com» ow.ly/kaU8N U cd do snippets.
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(2)

@msjennykirsch The Raven read by James Earl Jones - YouTube ow.ly/kaVFo
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(3)

@msjennykirsch: This is my favorite: «Adam Gottlieb, Poet Breathe Now - YouTube» ow.ly/kaVVK
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(4)

@msjennykirsch How about «Robert Frost | Poetry Everywhere | PBS» ow.ly/kaWRW
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

(5)

@msjennykirsch This one is fun: «Naomi Shihab Nye | Poetry Everywhere | PBS» ow.ly/kaX4p Check out the others too.
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

'One Boy Told Me' by Naomi Shihab Nye

This is the video Jenny chose.

@mauilibrarian2 This one might be the best thing I've ever seen. Can't wait to show it to my girls today! You're the best! #GTANY pride
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

(6)

@msjennykirsch For all ages: «Shel Silverstein recites 'Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too'» ow.ly/kaZvg
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

@msjennykirsch It was so much fun collecting these! I think I'll blog about it. Is it okay to mention your name? ... YES! > #GTANY pride :)
— Linda Lindsay (@mauilibrarian2) April 18, 2013

@mauilibrarian2 of course! I will blog about how we used them in class, too :) can't wait to read yours!
— Jenny Kirsch(@MsJennyKirsch) April 18, 2013

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

I loved the Adam Gottlieb video so much I emailed it to our English teachers. Mrs. Martelles jumped on it right away.

"This would be great for an assembly reflection!" she emailed me back.

And so, yesterday morning, Mrs. Martelles showed 'Poet: Breathe Now' to the entire student body, in our  `A`ali`ikūhonua Creative Arts Center, with Mrs. Hodara doing tech.

"So inspiring," remarked a colleague, who confessed that he teared up half-way through.

"Would you please email me the link?" pleaded another.

Can't wait to hear how Jenny's students used 'One Boy Told Me' in class!

(◕‿◕✿ )
@mauilibrarian2
on G+