Put a Little Poetry into Monday!

Mondays can be so, well, Monday-ish. And I don't say "ish" lightly! Years ago I wrote a Monday poem. It goes like this:

Oh Monday, oh Monday
Why are you so busy?
Oh, Monday, oh Monday
You make me feel dizzy!
Oh Monday, oh Monday
You run me around-
Oh, Monday, oh Monday
When will you slow down?
Oh, Monday, you're coming-
I heave a big sigh!
Oh, Monday, you're leaving-
A happy goodbye!

Now Mondays really aren't all that bad! I certainly would never encourage letting the Monday blues rub off on the little darlings around the house. They will likely pick up on Monday issues themselves! Maybe it's just an attitude? For me it is, anyway.

I have to tell my brain that Monday is a new beginning. It's a starting again and another chance to start the week off great! What can we do to make Monday less of an "Oh, the weekend is over" day and more of an "Oh, yeah, it's Monday!" sort of day?

Write a little poetry, of course! (Or, better yet, get your little darlings writing poetry so you can get a few other "Monday" type tasks done!)

I love rhyming poetry, like "My Shadow" by Robert Louis Stevenson:

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head.
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. (more)

Or, Shel Silverstein's "Sick" From Where the Sidewalk Ends:

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay,
I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps. (more)

You get the idea. Rhyming poetry is fun! Kids love it!

Spend some time on this, "Oh, Monday," assigning rhyming poetry to your little darlings. Let them be creative! Let them have fun! The poem(s) can be about an object, about the holidays, about an animal, or about Monday. The sky's the limit! Poetry is freedom, poetry is pun, poetry can be a tool to have a little fun! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

If you want even MORE time to work on your Monday chores, download this super simple, fun poetry unit by Little Darlings Press. For just $1 you can get your little darlings writing while you get... well, that's up to you!

The unit includes:

• Examples of rhyming poems
• Exercises
• Assignments
• Glossary of Terms

CLICK RIGHT HERE to see a full preview of this unit and get it now!

Go ahead, let your little darlings fall in love with poetry!

Fun Friday!

Hey, what's Friday without a little fun? How about doing a grammar project with your little darlings?

A Few of My Favorite Things!

This project is for early learners (pre-K through mid- elementary). It's all about nouns that are names for things. Here's what you do:

1. Explain to students that nouns are name words. They name people (grandma, sister, brother, etc.), places (city, home, park, etc.), and things (cup, cat, log, pencil, etc.). This is your "nouns" mini lesson. If your student already knows about nouns, give the mini lesson anyway. Grammar during the early years is all about solidifying the basics so you can move on to the more formal topics at a later date.

2. Explain that today's grammar lesson will focus on names of "things." Have your student(s) hunt around the house for favorite things!

3. Things that can be collected should be brought to a central location (kitchen table). The things that cannot be collected should drawn. Make sure each student has a notepad and pencil. Instruct them to draw a picture of each "thing" that cannot be brought to the table.

4. After the pile and pictures are complete, sit down and discuss each one by name.

HEY, TEACHER: Have a whiteboard or piece of paper and a writing utensil. As you go over the "things" with your student(s) write each word down and show discuss its pronunciation and meaning. Reading and vocab make nice additions to grammar lessons!

If there are food items in the "things" pile, let your little darlings sample them. Perhaps a lesson on names of foods is in order during the lunch hour. A feast of nouns!

Have fun! And by all means, go ahead and let your little darlings fall in love with grammar!

Grammar units for early learners by Little Darlings Press sold HERE! (If this link doesn't work try later... the currclick website seems to be temporarily down. Happy Friday!!!)