How to Break the Ice Before an Elementary School Author Poetry Reading
If you’re a children’s poetry Author and you’re going to do an Author school visit, you may encounter children that don’t think they like poetry. Or, if you’re doing a reading right after lunch, the students may be groggy. If either is the case, you might want to use an ice breaker and fire them up before you start your presentation.
I ask at the beginning: “How many like poetry?” “How many of you HATE poetry?”
I’m going to take that as a CHALLENGE, because I LOVE poetry! Poetry touches our lives EVERY DAY!
(Some look doubtful and many shake their heads “NO”).
You don’t like listening to songs? Songs have lyrics and lyrics are … poems!
You don’t like Rap? Rap is almost entirely (what?) … poems!
You don’t like greeting cards? They have messages and those are … poems!
You don’t like commercials? (Me either) They sell things using … poems!
“Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce/Special orders don't upset us.” (Burger King)
“Oh thank heaven for 7-Eleven.” (7-Eleven Store)
How about tongue twisters? They’re just poems said very fast! Let’s do a couple, ok?
I can canoe a new canoe.
Can you canoe a new canoe?
(Write this on your white board or black board, so they can follow along)
One-One was a racehorse. Two-Two was one too.
When One-One won one race,
Two-Two won one too.
Split the group in half and challenge one side to be faster and louder than the other. Repeat if you want to.
Next pit students against teachers –-kids love to do this! How often do they get to compete with their teacher? Expect it to get very loud in the room!
Now ask, “How many think they still hate poetry?”
The ice is broken and you’ve got them eating out of your hand. They’ll listen now, so start your program. I can guarantee you’ll get a lot of hugs when you’re through, too.
(You’re welcome!)
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