Two Voice Poems

Two voice poems are an interesting form.  They are great at showcasing different points of view.  Paul Fleischman first showcased this type of poetry in his book "Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices".  Reading this type of poetry is a great tool for helping students develop fluency.  David L. Harrison wrote the book "Partner Poems for Building Fluency" to help teachers use this strategy with students.

In the American Memories(Library of Congress) lesson section "Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself" there is a poem called "A Graduation Poem for Two", that is a great example of comparing two different points of view.  Lesley Roessing writes eloquently about comparing and contrasting a students life with a person from another culture.  I think this poetry format has lots of applications.

Mary Ann Hoberman has written several books in her series "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You".  They are delightful.  Great two people stories.  The one I think makes a good October selection is titled "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together."  I think my favorite story in the book is called "The Witch and the Broomstick.".  In her book she uses color to make it easier to read - purple (reader 1), lavender (reader 2), orange both read together.  I am going to share her first poem in the hopes that you will explore this format further.

Introduction

Do you like to

Quake and quiver?

                         

                              Do you like to

                               Shake and shiver?

Do you like your

Mind all jumpy?

                             Do you like your

                             Skin all bumpy?

                  If you do,

                  Then take a look

                  At the stories

                  In this book!

I'll read here

And you'll read there.

                             Both sides give you

                             Quite a scare.

                 Then, with middle

                 Words before us,

                  Read together

                 In a chorus.

                 Now we know

                 Just what to do:

You'll read to me!

                           I'll read to you!

  

Telling Our Stories

Last summer I had the opportunity to attend the Laurel Writing project in Laurel Montana.  I followed this experience with a week long class at the Alberta Bair Theater here in Billings, Montana.  Sean and Melanie Layne lead the Summer Institute.  The Summer Institute is a partnership between Alberta Bair Theater and the Kennedy Center.

The two classes changed how I approached teaching.  They changed how I viewed myself as a teacher and as a writer.  My blogs were a direct result of the classes.  They gave me the confidence and the need to keep writing.  Writing to tell my individual story as well as to listen to the stories of my students.

One of the sites I found while working on my personal learning plan is the WritersCorps. "The WritersCorps helps low-income students improve their literacy and communication skills through creative instruction. Founded in 1994 with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, WritersCorps operates programs in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and the Bronx, NY."

One of the publications I bought is "Jump Write In!"  a book of creative writing exercises for grades 6-12. I have been utilizing it for ideas to use in this last quarter of school.  I have been so amazed by my students growth this year.  Telling Our Stories is a critical piece for me as a writer and as a teacher.