Today I taught a lesson to my students inspired by Poems Are Teachers by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater. We brainstormed a list of places that we've been that are special to us. On my list was my grandparent's house. Tonight I tried to write a model to share with my students. This is what I came up with:
The House on Dianne Street I remember the house on Dianne Street second from the corner. I remember the porch and the rocking chairs and conversations. I remember my Grandy's garden colorful flowers lovingly tended. I remember his rose garden on the side of the house and the rose that bloomed in December the year he died. I remember the kitchen where we had bubbly grilled cheese on summer afternoons. I remember the dining room and cups of tea with something Grandma baked always a sweet treat. I remember the den upstairs and watching tv Golden Girls Jeopardy Seinfeld. I remember the pull-out couch and Saturday night sleepovers and coming home from dinner out. I remember the balcony leading to my grandparents' room. I remember the comfy chairs near the window. I remember the piano where I played the only song I knew "Heart and Soul." I remember the smell of the closets. I remember the fun. I remember the laughs. I remember the love. So many visits to the house on Dianne Street, my grandparent's house. They aren't there now and so I don't visit Dianne Street anymore but that house second form the corner permanently lives in my heart.
9 Comments
Gloria Heffernan
5/17/2021 06:08:03 pm
Beautiful Kathy!! Those cherished memories you have of your grandparents’s house on Dianne Street will live in you heart forever. I remember so many good visits there too. I always felt welcome and loved my time with your grandparents, at your mom’s house and in the house on Dianne Street.
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Erika Vctor
5/18/2021 03:14:33 am
You are inspiring me to write a poem today- mine is going to start with a feeling.
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5/18/2021 03:28:48 am
I love this! I felt as if I were walking from room to room recalling all the favorite places and beloved memories.
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Christine
5/18/2021 04:25:07 am
Tears! So many great memories. You really captured them. The memories - and the love - lives on!
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5/18/2021 07:14:14 am
Oh, Kathleen, I'm so glad you shared this with us. It is beautiful. I love the repetition of "I remember" and I'm guessing as you wrote it you remembered more and richer details from considering your senses, which it is obvious you did here. The details like "Heart and Soul" and bubbly grilled cheese. Nice!
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Vivian Chen
5/18/2021 07:22:49 am
What a beautiful poem! So many parts where I felt that I'd been in that house too.
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5/18/2021 07:51:53 am
Ahhh, the power of place! This is a lovely poem and will be a great mentor text for your students. (I love third graders.) In the field of environmental education, place is a powerful tool. If we can connect our students to a place, the learning is deeper and more meaningful - just like your poem demonstrates. Thanks for sharing.
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Glenda M. Funk
5/18/2021 10:25:20 am
This is a gorgeous poem. “Poems are Teachers, Too” is a fantastic book. I’m glad you reminded me of it. I’m sharing your poem w/ a friend who will be reaching a creative writing class next year. Your poem reminds me of one I wrote about my grandfather.
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5/18/2021 11:42:47 am
What a wonderful list of remembrances, Kathleen! The pull-out sofa and "Seinfeld" on the TV brought me right back to my grandparents' condo. For sure, this is an excellent demonstration text to use with your students!
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