Poetry Break! A Poem Unusually Formed

Introduction: Begin by introducing the idea of concrete poems and using the description by P.B. Janeczko who says that “the arrangement of letters or words on the page, the typefaces chosen, and the way space is used, add meaning to the poem beyond that contained in actual words” (pg. 1). Read the poem. Ask students what shape they would make the poem - show the illustration.

Popsicle
by Joan Bransfield Graham

Popsicle
Popsicle
tickle
tongue fun
licksicle
sticksicle
please
don’t run
dripsicle
slipsicle
melt, melt
tricky
stopsicle
plopsicle
hand all
s
t
i
c
k
y

(shaped like a popsicle on a stick - from A Poke in the I by P.B. Janeczko)

Extension:
Provide students with a selection of books containing concrete poems. Give students time to browse and add new poems to their personal collection. Allow interested students to share out loud. Another alternative is to give students time to write and illustrate a concrete poem about a favorite activity, toy, or person.

Reference:
Janeczko, P.B. 2005. A POKE IN THE I: A COLLECTION OF CONCRETE POEMS. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763606618.