We get to know each other first,
talk about books and reading
until some children are fit to burst,
they’re so keen to find out what I’m offering.
I take out a book and the child says ‘Easy!’,
explores the cover, reads the title, explains
what they think it’s all about, and then we
read the blurb and talk a bit again.
The child’s excitement reaches a peak,
it’s a book they haven’t seen before;
after reading the same old one all week,
at school and at home, they need more
than their regular fare, something with a twist,
some humour, adventures or magic spells,
with words from their vocabulary list
to demonstrate their budding skills.
There’s some struggling with split digraphs,
silent letters can be tricky too,
when a word has made us laugh
or the idea behind the story’s new.
But when the light bulb illuminates
above a reluctant reader’s head,
the pupil and I both celebrate
all the words they have just read.
Kim M. Russell, 4th September 2019
My response to Poets United Midweek Motif: Literacy
Susan reminds us that International Literacy Day is on 8th September and says that she doesn’t remember learning to read. I don’t either, but I do remember the magic of sitting in a corner reading a book, knowing what all the funny black marks on the paper meant and loving the escape into other worlds. While Susan volunteers with an adult literacy program, I listen to children aged 6-8 reading, and we have lots of fun. The schools I work with only went back today, so I haven’t been there since the end of July. I’m really looking forward to seeing the children again.
Our challenge this week is to write a new poem that addresses the flowering of literacy, an instance/element of how it is an entry ticket or a barrier.
writing in north norfolk 
Yay teachers! And sweet learning one-on-one! And for how you capture the joy of it in this poem. No, it isn’t easy, but the kids are so quick there is lots to celebrate.
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Thank you, Susan!
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Wow. I liked this post.
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I celebrate here with you, Kim. I also celebrate with my former students when we see each other. Most, if not all, have a “Thank you” to begin. I smiled when I read your words, “the blurb”. I use it quite a bit when telling of a short informative note but not as the back cover summary or frontpiece introduction to a book. Our granddaughter used it when she was in second or third grade telling me how to start reading a book. “Blurb” may now have graduated from being an informal word. I’ll check that soon.
..
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To give that joy to a child…I salute you (and all teachers). (K)
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Thanks Kerfe.
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How WONDERFUL that you have the joy of reading to and with children. I love their excitement.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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A wonderful poem about teaching children to read. I admire your fortitude in teaching children.
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Thank you, Toni.
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Well done. This almost makes me miss my time in the classroom….ALMOST!
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Thank you, Ron!
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As both my wife and I were great readers it was no surpise that all three of our kids were ardent readers too. I know my youngest granddaughter follows the pattern and will read well after bedtime with her parents having to tell her to get to sleep now!
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Readers make readers, Robin – my daughter is one too!
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Today, the 5th September we are celebrating Teacher’s Day in India. After reading the poem I like to sing to you ‘A Happy Teacher’s Day’ 🙂 Beautiful, Kim.
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Thank you, Sumana, and happy Teachers’ Day! 🙂
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Truly magical – the gift of words is the best!
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Thank you, Jae!
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You expanded on the joy of reading beautifully.
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Cheers Viv.
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😊
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