Social Studies Poetry - Brainjuice: American History, Fresh Squeezed!

1. Bibliographic Citation

Shields, Carol Diggory. 2002. Brainjuice: American History, Fresh Squeezed! Brooklyn: Handprint Books. ISBN 9781929766628

 

2. Summary and Review

American History Fresh Squeezed is an 80 page collection of poems about the history of our country. There is a running timeline at the top of every page that continues from the beginning to the end of the book with landmark dates and important events in American history. The poems account major events in American history in chronological order including Columbus, the Pilgrims, major inventions, wars, and ending with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. There is a four part “Presidents on Parade” with fun facts from all the former presidents of the United States up to George W. Bush. All of the poems rhyme and are not longer than two pages except for the “Presidents on Parade” series. Most of the poems have a humorous tone with the exception of “The Lady,” a tribute to The Statue of Liberty and September 11^th, “Trail of Tears,” and “This Train,” about the Underground Railroad. While this collection of poems may not be the most prolific and is hit or miss, the collection does have its place. The short poems seem to make American history more accessible. Upper elementary students, especially, would appreciate these poems and their humor. In addition, this book could be used as a springboard to pique curiosities and spark research. The black, white, and red cartoon illustrations by Richard Thompson give the book a political cartoon feel. The final poem in the book, “The Lady” is one of my favorites:

The Lady

I know a lady, you might know her too,

She’s seen a lot in her years.

Joyful reunions and sad good-byes,

Laughter, sighs, and tears.

She saw the towers’ awful fall,

The smoke burned in her eyes.

She saw the fear and saw the grief,

The hope, the prayers, the cries.

And soon she saw the work begin,

A country unified,

She saw neighbor helping neighbor,

She saw a proud flag rise.

She saw it all from where she stands,

Beautiful and tall,

And still she holds her torch up high,

And still she welcomes all.  

3. Awards/Reviews

*New Mexico Battle of the Books Nominee, 2010-2011

*Positive Review Kirkus Reviews, 2002

*Positive Review School Library Journal, 2003

4. Activities

“The Lady” could be used in conjunction with other sources for a study on September 11. After discussing the events of September 11, the poem could then be read aloud. The poem tells of the horrors of that day but also the resilience of the American people through the eyes of The Statue of Liberty. An extension activity could be for students to write a poem looking through the eyes of some inanimate object.

Activity for the whole book: Students could be divided into pairs and assigned one poem per pair. They will read the poem and then research the actual historical facts written about in the poem. They could then prepare mini reports to be shared with the class.

5. Related books

*BrainJuice: Science, Fresh Squeezed by Carol Diggory Shields ISBN 9781593540050

*BrainJuice: English, Fresh Squeezed by Carol Diggory Shields ISBN 9781593540531

Science Poetry - Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

1. Bibliographic Citation

Florian, Douglas. 2007. Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN  9780152053727

2. Summary and Review

Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian is a fun collection of rhyming poems about space. Beginning with general poems about the galaxy and the solar system, the poems then progress to name the planets in order from the Sun to dwarf planet Pluto and beyond to comets, and constellations. The concrete spiral shape of “A Galaxy,” the spacing of the letters in the word “e m p t y” in “The Universe,” and bold print of the phases of the moon in “The Moon” all add to the imagery of the heavens. Every poem in the book is well written with repetition and humor throughout. Florian’s illustrations of paint, stamps, and collage on paper bags with die cuts throughout are the perfect complement to the whimsical yet informational poems. The illustrations, themselves, also contain loads of factual information. At the end of the book is a “Galactic Glossary” with paragraphs of information about each poem in the collection. This book really is a double threat of poetic genius and scientific fact. I can see “The Moon” being used to supplement a study on the phases of the moon.

The Moon

A NEW moon isn’t really new,

It’s merely somewhat dark to view.

A CRESCENT moon may seem to smile,

Gladly back after a while.

A HALF moon is half dark, half light.

At sunset look due south to sight.

A FULL moon is a sight to see,

Circular in geometry.

After full, the moon will wane

Night by night, then start again.

3. Awards/Reviews

*Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2008-2009

*Hornbook Fanfare, 2007

*Kirkus Review Stars, March 15, 2007

4. Activities

Poetry is a strong device to help with memorization. As a tie in to science class, the students could be encouraged to memorize “The Moon” to help them remember the phases of the moon. Students could be divided into groups and read the poem back and forth to each other as call and response to help with memorization. In addition, the students could draw the phases of the moon to illustrate the poem and to visualize the phases of the moon.

5. Related books

*Our Solar System Revised Edition by Seymour Simon ISBN 9780061140082

*The Moon by Seymour Simon ISBN 9780689835636

*The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons ISBN 9780823413645

Biographical Poetry - César: ¡Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

1. Bibliographic Citation
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. 2004. César: ¡Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 9780761451723.


2. Summary and Review
This collection of free verse poems chronicles the life of Cesario Estrada Chávez, better known as César Chavez. Beginning with his childhood, the poems detail not only events in Chávez’s life, but also give readers a sense of connection to Chávez’s feelings. Carmen Bernier-Grand includes Bible verses, prayers, dichos (sayings or proverbs), and quotes from Chávez, himself which provide the reader with insights into Chávez’s motivations. Beginning with his upbringing, continuing to his horrific experiences as a campesino (farm worker), to his non-violent efforts to change farm worker’s conditions, and ending poignantly with his death, this book beautifully covers Chávez’s entire life. The poems, themselves, are a series of free verses that lend a more lyrical and rhythmic tone to Chávez’s life than other biographies about him. The shorter length of the poems as opposed to a prose book format is inviting to read alouds in the classroom or library and allows for the poems to be read across a period of time, rather than just all at once. David Diaz’s simple, silhouette like computer generated illustrations all contain a sort of yellow halo around the characters and farm scenes. This effect gives somewhat of an uplifting tone to the book even when the subject matter of the poems may not be pleasant. The inclusion of Spanish sayings and words infuses the poems with an authentic quality. A helpful glossary of Spanish words and phrases is included at the end of the book along with a chronology, notes, sources, a biography of Chávez’s life, and quotes from Chávez, himself. It is evident that Bernier-Grand put much effort into creating a factual account of César Chavez while capturing a melodic tone. The first poem, “Who Could Tell?” sets the tone for the book and paints a picture of the humble, unassuming man who would become such a great leader.


Who Could tell?


¡Híjole!
Who could tell?


Who could tell
that Cesario Estrada Chávez,
the shy American
wearing a checkerboard shirt,
walking with a cane to ease his back
from the burden of the fields,
could organize so many people
to march for La Causa, The Cause?


Who could tell
that he with a soft pan dulce voice,
hair the color of mesquite,
and downcast, Aztec eyes,
would have the courage to speak up
for the campesinos
to get better pay,
better housing,
better health?


¡Híjole!
Who could tell?




3. Awards and Reviews
*Pura Belpré Honor Book for Author and Illustrator, 2006
*ALSC Notable Children’s Book, 2005
*School Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 2004


4. Activities
This book would be recommended for an upper elementary grade or middle school audience. It would be a nice tie in to the fight to recognize César E. Chavez Day, March 31, as a National Holiday.  While reading aloud “Who Could Tell,” students would be encouraged to close their eyes and visualize how César Chavez looked from the imagery in the poem. They could then create a collage with colored pencils or crayons and found objects such as fabric, old toys or trinkets, etc. of how they envision César Chavez from the description in the poem. The collages could be displayed in the hallway in celebration of César E. Chavez Day. An extension could be for the class to sign the petition in support of recognizing César E. Chavez Day a National Holiday at  http://www.cesarchavezholiday.org/index.html.   


5. Related Books
*Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull ISBN 9780152014377
*Cesar Chavez: The Struggle for Justice / Cesar Chavez: La lucha por la justicia by Richard Griswold del Castillo ISBN 9781558853249
*Cesar Chavez: A Hero for Everyone by Gary Soto ISBN 9780689859236