Mother's Day Poem and a little Fashion!

Happy Monday All!!
Woke up thinking "What the heck...it's the end of April!" Time just goes by so fast. I'm really wishing it would slow down!

Mother's Day is right around the corner. Every year for the past few years, I have had my kids write "How To Be" poems. I love these gifts from the heart! I've had many a mom tell me this was the best gift they ever received. When the poems are written and ready, the kids create a book with illustrations and all. (I will post those when they are done.) My sister has her students bring in a frame for their poems. Either way it's the message that counts.

First, as a whole group, we write a How to be a Dog poem. I ask kids to tell me what we would have to do to be a dog. I write what they say even though the format may not be correct at first.  (The first draft is in black.) After we finish, I asked the kids what they notice. Hopefully, they say the action verbs at the start of each line. LOL! I underlined those in green. We then revised some lines (blue). I talked about adding a last line that will make your reader say AWWWW! They came up with the line in bright green.

 I then instruct the kids to write the same type poem about their mom, about 8-10 lines. I explain that they need to dig deep into their heart and write what makes their mom THEIR mom. I tell them to pretend they are telling me what I would have to do to be their mom. I tell them NOT to write just basic things like "cook for me" or "buy me things". I explain that those phrases are ok if mom cooks something special for you or mom has bought you something extra special. I want this to be from the heart. I try not to give too many examples or they will write what you say. As they started writing today, I noticed they were struggling with the verbs, so we did a quick brainstorm of action verbs they could use for mom. I will keep adding to this as we think of more.

My kids only wrote for about 20 minutes today, so these are very rough drafts. We have not revised or edited yet. I think so far very cute!!

These will take time to revise and edit and then publish into their books. Start early if you do this project! I always tell them they can write to a grandma, aunt, sister, or any special woman in their life. Can't wait to show you the finished products!

I found this fabulously fashionable linky and two new adorable blogs today! Keepin' it Kool in Kindergarten and Closing the Gap...in a Cute Outfit.

So I had my 10 year old daughter snap a photo of me after school today. It was like a photo shoot! I had to put my hands on my hips and "pop a knee"...those were my directions! She was cracking me up. Here is me and my Monday outfit....

Fashionistas everywhere...link up too! Let's see what you're wearin'!