POETRY BREAK: CONCRETE POEM

SPLISH SPLASH 

Graham, Joan Bransfield.  Ill. Steve Scott. 1994. "Popsicle" from Splish Splash.   New York:  Ticknor & Fields.

This book of concrete poems, also known as shape poems, looks at water in various states from solid to liquid to gas.  Shape poems are a unique form of poetry because the letters and words of the poem are structured on the page to make the shape of an object being described in the poem. The bright, colorful illustrations invite the reader onto the page and inside the poem. There are poems about sprinklers, steam and ice cubes.  But the one I chose to feature here is one of my favorites.  The following poem takes me back to summer afternoons when we would hear the ice cream truck coming down the street.  We would grab some change and head down the driveway to buy a POPSICLE.  My favorite flavor was cherry.  What's your favorite?

POPSICLE, by Joan Bransfield Graham

p o p s i c l  e

p o p s i c l  e 

t  i   c   k   l  e

t o n g u e fun

l i c k s i c l e

st i c k s i c le

p l e a s e

d o n ' t  r u n

d r i p s i c l e

s l i p s i c l e

m e l t, m e l t

t  r  i  c  k  y

s t o p s i c l e

p l o p s i c l e

h a n d  a l l 

          s

          t

          i

          c

          k

          y

Extension:  Use this poetry book with Science when studying the states of matter.  Have students classify each poem into the categories:  Solid, Liquid, or Gas.

Have popsicles ready to share with students.  Go outside, preferably on a hot day, and enjoy the popsicles.  This would make a great end of school year activity.