Poetry for youth for K-5 students: Go!: Poetry in Motion by Dee Lillegard and Valeri Gorbachev

Bibliographic Information:

Lillegard, D. (2006). Go!: Poetry in Motion. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

 

Plot description:  

There are so many things that go - garbage trucks, school buses, police cars and jets.  Lillegard has created a series of short, catchy poems about the countless things that children encounter in their lives that move, slip, fly and turn.  She includes things that kids might see in the summer (ferris wheel and lawn mowers) and those that are most common in winter (skis and sleds).  Anything that a child can think of that moves around them during their days, is most likely included in this cute collection.  Coupled with the poems are Valeri Gorbachev's charming illustrations; a cow mows the lawn, while pigs, ducks and foxes get on the school bus.  The illustrations give a friendly, warm impression that will resonate with the youngest of listeners/readers.  The book radiates positivity and energy, that will surely inspire kids and adults alike to get on the move!

Quantitative reading level:

ATOS Book Level: 2.3
Interest Level: Grades K-2

 

Qualitative reading analysis: 

Go!: Poetry in Motion consists of 34 short poems ranging from three to five lines, each with a bold title.   The lines of the poem are each between two and seven words.  Each poem conveys a simple idea about the item - the wheelbarrow carries stones, the ice skates slip and slide, and the speedboat sprays and splashes.  Small children will love the lilting tone of the poems, while new readers will appreciate the rhymes that help them make it to the end of the poem.  Some of the words might be challenging for new readers, but particularly adventurous learners will have fun with the clever word couplings.  Both new readers and those who have yet to master the task will enjoy Gorbechev's lively illustrations.  The pages practically vibrate with the dynamic and exciting energy that the pictures provide.

Content area:

English - Poetry

Content area standard:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.9
Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.10
With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade

 

Curriculum suggestions: 

Go!:Poetry in Motion would be a perfect introduction to poetry for K-2nd grade students.  Children will be motivated to come up with their own rhymes about the the familiar things in their lives.  Since Gorbachev's drawings are such literal translations of the poems, young learners will be able to connect the visual aspects with the written word, and can be encouraged to do so as well.

 

Supporting digital content:

10 Ways to Use Poetry in Your Classroom: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/10-ways-use-poetry-your-classroom
Poetry Lessons for Kids: http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/poetry-writing-lessons/

 

Personal thoughts:

This collection of short poems has broad appeal.  Students who are interested in things that go - cars, buses, airplanes - will delight in the fun, upbeat tempo of the book.  Students who love learning new words and trying them out will adore the bite-sized poems that are never overwhelming or too wordy.  This book is a great addition to any classroom or library that serves young children, and would work particularly well as a read-aloud book.

 

Hook:

Dee Lillegard's cheerful poems will have kids clamoring to talk about all of the things in their lives that GO!  Valeri Gorbechev's lively illustrations are perfect companions to these short poems and will keep kids engaged as they enjoy the experience of connecting with poetry.