It’s summertime. The world goes spinning on, off kilter. Over my decades on this planet, it seems that the world has always spun off kilter. There is good and evil in this world and both push and pull. I believe good will win out in the end. I believe in art, education, nature, and the human spirit. I know these things make life hopeful. And though, there are many things I can be anxious about right now, I choose joy and laughter. Summer is here. I want to face it like I did when I was a young girl, with hope and wild abandon.
Category: Poetry
Poetry & Pasta: Kindergarten Wordplay
My love of poetry extended into May this year as I read aloud to our Kindergarten classes. I had read my poetry and facilitated poetry writing with students in 1st through 5th grades in the month of April. Finally, I had a little more time to bring the joy of verse into Kindergarten. I found the perfect picture book to share, Pasta, Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido. Since I am of Italian heritage, I found this book to be particularly fun and engaging. Ms. Lucido’s wordplay is exquisite and invites young children to join into the rhythm of the story.
The Art of Poetry: Eating Our Words
I'm not sure what I like to do more: write poetry or make delicious things to eat. I do know that children love to prepare food because of sensory stimulation it entails. Making food from scratch is a creative process, much like writing. You imagine, plan, and then set to work creating something special. Whether the final product is a poem or a delectable dish, the process is the same, and the end results are satisfying.
Stormy Weather: Celebrating Poetry Month
I loved stringing words together. I loved the way they formed in my mouth and rushed out into the air. Poetry was magical, and I felt I had some of that magic in me. Now, as a poet and teacher, I enjoy bringing that love of the spoken word to children. This month, Deborah, my friend and dear librarian at the school where I teach, invited me to be the guest poet during her library times with 1st through 4th graders.
Support Stuffies: Managing Test Anxiety
There was a lot of anxiety in the room even though we had tried to make the students as familiar with the test as we could possibly do. We also did not place a lot of importance on the test, but the children sense it is important, it does reflect on how smart they are, and it does matter.
Healing Through Poetry: A Daughter’s Journey
My father died two weeks ago. He was 99 years old. He had a good and long life. He gave me poetry, a puppy, love of literature, love of travel, love of food and cooking, and love of learning.
Cooking Inspiration from The Pasta Queen: Poetry and Passion
I have been binge watching Nadia Caterina Munno, the Pasta Queen. She is incredibly passionate about Italian food. Her show is a treat alternating from places in Italy to her kitchen in Florida. She is smart, funny, and spicy. What a personality! I love watching and listening to her.
A Much-Needed Spring Break
Thank goodness for spring break. Thank goodness I have the next two weeks to recover and regroup. I desperately need two weeks to bide my time until spring arrives. I am taking seven steps get back in health again.
February Snow
On a recent trek to the park, I watched families sled down a small but slick slope. It was fun to see parents cheering on their children. One little girl with bright pink cheeks had a death grip on the edges of her snow disc as she screamed all the way down the hill. She ran back up shouting, “That was TERRIFYING! Let’s do it again!”
One Last Pearl of Wisdom
Since the moment I met my mother-in-law, we talked about books. We would speak of various characters as if we had actually met them and knew them like we knew family. I loved that about her. She was always exposing me to ideas and events that were new to me. She used books as breadcrumbs to show me the way and expand my thinking.
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 