# data[].attributes.headline
Please Log into Raz Plus to Access the Resources

# data[].attributes.subject
Please Log into Raz Plus to Access the Resources

# data[].attributes.headline
Please log into PebbleGo to access the resources

# data[].attributes.subject
Please log into PebbleGo to access the resources

# data[].attributes.headline
Please make sure to log into Epic to read the books online. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Please make sure to log into Epic to read the books online. 

# data[].attributes.body
Create your free account here.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.headline
Please make sure to log into Sora to access the resources

# data[].attributes.subject
Please make sure to log into Sora to access the resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Open a world of reading. Try Sora, the new reading app for students, by OverDrive.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Watch these videos and more here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Log into BrainPop to access these videos

# data[].attributes.subject
Log into BrainPop to access these videos

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Read/Listen to the articles here.

# data[].attributes.body
Read/Listen to the articles here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Click here to access the resources on myOn

# data[].attributes.subject
Click here to access the resources on myOn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Type two or more letters to search, use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read the book online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to access the resources and read the books online.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to access the resources and read the books online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Presents a colorful children's book that describes the various animals and, insects, and sea life that inhabit various environments.

# data[].attributes.headline
I See a Kookaburra! : Discovering Animal Habitats around the World

# data[].attributes.subject
I See a Kookaburra! : Discovering Animal Habitats around the World

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Traces the development of housing from early shelter to the 20th century and beyond.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Explores different kinds of environments that are homes to various animals and plants and examines why living organisms live where they do.

# data[].attributes.body
Click here to read more about the book.

# data[].attributes.body
Image Source.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Jamie Nanfara

Your teacher asks you to write a poem and the first thing you think of is: a cat is sitting on a mat with a bat. Poems are much more than a handful of rhyming words strung together! A poem often makes the reader feel some kind of emotion and NEWS FLASH poems do NOT always need to rhyme! To write a great poem all you need is rhythm and your own imagination. Here are some tips for writing a poem.

Think of a Topic
Divide a piece of paper into four equal parts and label them 1. People and places you love, 2. Things you like to do, 3. Questions you have about the world, and 4. Memories. Then, think of topics you might want to write about for each heading. Challenge yourself to write 3-4 ideas for each heading. Which idea do you want to write about first?

Choose Words Carefully
Before you start writing your poem, make a list of words that describe your topic. Use your senses to come up with words. What do you smell or hear? What do you see? How do you feel? If you choose to write a rhyming poem, use a website to find words that rhyme with your list. HERE is a good website to start with.

Write Your Poem
Use your list of words to begin writing your poem. Start with a statement or a question about your topic. When you are writing, remember to use your senses to make your poem descriptive. Use comparisons to give your reader a picture in their mind. Be creative!

Use Line Breaks Deliberately
Line breaks let the reader know when to pause. Line breaks also give rhythm to your poem and contribute to its meaning. Read the two poems below with VERY different line breaks. See the difference?

Poem #1

We glided on the porch swing
and ate warm bread
Grandma watered the daisies
The sun set
Another summer day gone

Poem #2

We glided on the porch swing and
ate warm bread Grandma
watered the daisies the sun
set another summer day gone

Experiment with the line breaks in your poem. Try a few different ways until you are satisfied with the rhythm and appearance of your poem.

Revise
A poet is never done after the first draft! Read over your poem and take out words or phrases that don't fit. Can you add more descriptions? Do the line breaks make sense? An Alliteration is when two words beginning with the same sound are next to each other (like crunchy cookies!). Can you find a place where you can add an alliteration? After you make some changes, reread your poem out loud again. Does it sound complete?

For more inspiration, check out these poetry collections:
Po etry for Young People

By Langston Hughes
Edited by Arnold Rampersad & David Roessel
Illustrated by Benny Andrews
Published bySterling Publishing Co.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat

Edited by Nikki Giovanni
Sourcebooks Inc.

Facebook| Instagram | Twitter | Website

A Light in the Attic

By Shel Silverstein
Published by HarperCollins Childrens Books
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

Poetry for Kids: Carl Sandburg

By Carl Sandbury
Edited by Kathryn Benzel
Illustrated by Robert Crawford
Published by Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

ABOUT JAMIE NANFARA

Jamie is an elementary school teacher and freelance writer. In addition to creating content for KidLit TV's website, she is an active member of SCBWI and is currently querying her first picture book. She has an MA in Teaching and is passionate about children's literature and the role it plays in supporting the social and academic growth of her students. When she's not teaching or writing for children, she is looking for adventure and laughing at the silly antics of her husband and daughter.

CONNECT WITH JAMIE NANFARA Instagram | Twitter

CONNECT WITH KidLit TV
Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | Newsletter | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Kids Are All Write: How to Write a Poem - KidLit TV

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Jamie Nanfara Your teacher asks you to write a poem and the first thing you think of is: a cat is sitting on a mat with a bat. Poems are much more than a handful of rhyming words strung together!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Poetry writing in elementary is easy with this three-step process!