Poetry for Kids

I had been thinking that I needed some kind of "volunteer" [community outreach] activity to add to my other social and family and church activities.

At church a couple of weeks ago,  the there was an announcement that they were looking for volunteers in the elementary school,  though there were no specifics as to what the nature of that would be,  so I attended an information session to see what I could learn.

It actually turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined. (Ihad imagined reading to children, or having them read to me). But the school has a different need.   There are some kids that need extra help with the Core Curriculum material  (a new venture).   The teachers do that.  Those students who do not need extra help have nothing to do during that end of the day block of time.  Those in charge of this "outreach idea"  (along with the principal)  decided that maybe adults could share any special interest, or talent, or skill they might have.   Hmmmmm???.  I wasn't so sure about that,  but figured there ought to be something that I can do.  The first thing I thought of was poetry for kids,  or a Poetry Club, or whatever we choose to call ourselves.  The principal said there are some students who are definitely interested.

I visited the school the other day, was assigned my space (the cafeteria), and found my way through the security hurdles and the sign in process.  I have put together some lesson plans, and am hoping for the best. It has been a long long time since I have had this kind of a classroom experience  (if ever!!).  My first professional endeavor so many years ago was as a high school and/or a junior high school English teacher.  (though I was the director of a pre-school once).

I will begin this Poetry venture in March and go through the end of May.   I saw the youngsters while I was in the school.  They do seem like such little people, young, small, innocent.  The ones I will be working with will be between 8 and 11 years old.   I will admit that since I was there, the thought has crossed my mind that I do want to locate a closet somewhere for hiding the kids, should a gunman appear.  So sad that we live in that kind of a world!

Hopefully, we will all have fun with poetry!