This is a quickie to tell you that once again I'm teaching a one day, three-hour virtual class called Intro to Writing Children's Poetry for the Brave, Big-Hearted, and Curious! (my title, not necessarily UCLA's).
We'll be inspired by wonderful poems, play with some of the basic poetic tools, and have time for writing and sharing...all in just three hours!
Class is on Wednesday, January 17th from noon-3pm PST.
Enrollment, which opened January 3rd, is limited.
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| There is always a waiting list |
Here's a rough draft of today's poem...can anyone relate?
THE TEACHER’S BRAIN SPEAKS
by April Halprin Wayland
I double, double dare you
to coax them out.
Set aside their cell phones?
I highly doubt.
I don’t think you’ll inspire them
or set their hair on fire when
you face them all
and class begins...
But wait a sec—they're *galvanized*—
their eyes are bright—they’re energized!
There’s silence (save the sound of pens)
How did you do that? Very Zen.
I guess I’m wrong again.
2024 April Halprin Wayland, all rights reserved
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| image by stockking on freepik |
Thank you, Marcie, for hosting Poetry Friday at Marcie Flinchum Atkins
posted with hope and a big smile by April Halprin Wayland, with help from Kitty and our tiniest pond turtle, Ted Lasso.
You and Amy LV share that word "coax" today! And can I just say I LOVE your unofficial class title? Perfect from Brave, Big-Hearted, Curious you. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, Irene ~ I just heard someone say today that we are always part of someone else's weather. And you just shined on my morning... Namaste. I'll check out Amy's post.
ReplyDeleteApril, I am not a school teacher, but your poem is relatable to everyone who ever wanted to inspire someone and worried about how it would go. Your poem is inspirational!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tracey. Your comment reminds me that though pretty much everything scares me, others can relate IF I'm willing to be honest. I'm learning to take off that protective jacket and share my real feelings and fears.
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet your seminar will be amazing, April! And sharing our real feelings and fears--that's where the magic is. <3
ReplyDeleteYes, Laura... Maybe magic is another word for authenticity ♥️
DeleteGreat post and poem April, and I think students really appreciate when we unzip our jackets and share a little of ourselves and the sweat that goes into all too. All the best with the Brave, Bit-Hearted Class!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Michelle... That's why I'll remember a good speaker ~ They do unzip and tell the truth ✨
DeleteYour poem resonates, though I taught students young enough that we could rely on the "cellphones stay in backpacks" rule, and I was savvy enough to know that an earbud in meant that the child was still connected to the phone. (They hated that old grey-haired me knew that!)
ReplyDeleteStill, energizing youngsters to read and write was always a trick! Good luck with your class -- it helps when the students CHOOSE to be there!
Mary Lee ~ You're right...the fact that these students choose the class is already a gift. ~ from always-scared, excited me
DeleteLoved the poem. I don't see cell phones out and about in my elementary library, but definitely have heard from those who teach older kids.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Marcie ~ You're a classroom teacher among all the other incredible things you do?!? Amaze-a-lating! Thanks again for hosting. I'm glad to have finally "met" you.🌞
DeleteAmy, I'm sure your class will be amazing. I taught middle school so I can relate to your poem! Oh, those cell phones!
ReplyDeleteI think Zooming adults may be worse than teens when it comes to distracting devices during a meeting. (Full disclosure: sometimes I'm one of those adults at meetings)
DeleteLove your poem - very zen! Good luck with your class.
ReplyDelete🙏 Thanks for stopping by, Rose! And for the luck🍀
DeleteHooray! Thanks for sharing the poetry love far and wide. I'm tempted to register...Let me have a think.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda! Whatever you decide to do that day, have a sparkling January 17th!✨
DeleteLinda, I teach the intro to children's poetry class every other quarter through UCLA, and on alternate quarters I teach introduction to writing children's picture books. So if you can't get into this class, there will be other opportunities!
DeleteGood luck with your class, April and I too love the name you chose. It just might be fun enough to lure students away from phones so they don't miss the fun of thinking about poems.
ReplyDeleteFrom your lips, Janice...🤞!!!
ReplyDeleteYour class was wonderful. Please let us know if it will be offered again!
ReplyDelete🌿Peggy! I'm so happy you made it to class. That tech stuff is tricky! And thank you for reading our blog. If you found me on the UCLA Extension online catalog, you'll find me there again, every quarter. I teach intro to writing poetry for children every other quarter, and intro to writing children's picture books the other quarters. UCLA schedules me just one quarter in advanced. The picture book class will be on June 26th. Make sure to check back with UCLA to find out when they open enrollment, because every class fills up and has a waiting list.
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