I decided to approach my son’s summer camp director to see if she would allow me to share some of my favorite poems from a kid’s perspective. After I arranged it with her, she was perfectly fine with me doing so. I decided to read to the kids a book of poems that I remember from college, the book is by Shel Silverstein and it is called “Falling Up.” The kids at first were apprehensive to why I was there and I could tell that they were not looking forward to hearing a story but as soon as I read the first entry, I had them hooked. At one point, I had them act out what they thought the poems meant, and their interpretations really had me laughing. These kid’s ages ranged from 5-12 years old so it was pretty amazing that I was able to have all of their attention.
Reading poems to the summer campers was an experience I will never forget. My son has been used to my wife and I reading to him since he was younger so after camp I asked him, “ what did you friends think of the book?” He answered, “ Dad, they really liked it and they were even talking about that monkey poem.” He asked me to read it to him again before he slept. I truly learned a lot from this experience and in all honesty, if you present books, kids react extremely well to it, they may even have a lot of fun.
Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite children's author...her stories are simple but they all hold the capability of creating an array of imagination, even more so in a child's mind! Great job Angelo! Its great you enjoyed this activity b/c come next week, it'll be a whole different ball game ;-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like the kids had fun. It is how you delivered the activity that made it interesting for the kids. The kids were able to use Transactional theory of reading and they did not even know it.:-)
ReplyDeleteIts Ironic that I read this blog right after reading "The Giving Tree" to my daughter for her bedtime story. I love how Silverstein writes his work. He is so unconventional in his organization of words, but it works so well, especially with his drawings. Only thing is that most of his pictures are so scary. My daughter called him the "scary man". HA HA! Another interesting coincidence is that "The Giving Tree" is one of those books I borrowed from the Agana Library right after doing my personal development on Saturday. Cue Twilight Zone music here...
ReplyDeleteOh man, we should set up a poetry reading night for this class...it would be cool
ReplyDeleteMy mom gave the "The Giving Tree" to my son as a present when he was a baby. It has a wonderful message and an underlying sadness. My second son, when he was 2-years-old actually cried after we read it. My aunt calls it "The Enabler."
ReplyDeleteAngelo,
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that you captivated the children in your reading of the beloved Shel Silverstein poems! You and your wife have also empowered your son with a disposition for the love of reading! Way to go!
Best regards,
Dr. Rivera
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ReplyDeletelove Shel Silverstein's books! His poems are the epitome of Transactional Theory because there's no right answer. Good job!
ReplyDelete