Every few months David's teacher invites the parents in to celebrate whatever writing project the kids have been working on. This month it is poetry.

His teacher seems to think poetry only existed in the beatnik generation, so we all get to say things like "cool daddy o" and "I dig it cat". Oh yes, and we snap our fingers in praise.

But despite the rather calcified view of poetry, I love how she teaches it. The book she uses, "Poetry: Powerful Thoughts in Tiny Packages" is suggested by the Writer's Workshop people, and I think it is excellent. She uses a lot of fill in the blank structures which, as we say in the biz, "scaffold" the process for the kids. She also used a poetry lesson I had taught the kids called Unconditional Love.

David did a great job reading his poems with his Daddy's beret on. David and I just typed in a sample of his poems.

1.
A cloud is a force field.

2.
The toilet is monster.

3.
Love

My love is as gentle as a baby lamb.

4.
Lamb

I'm cute as a panda.
I'm free as a penguin.
I'm loved as a dad.
I'm as white as a white paper.

5.
David

I'm crazy as a maniac.
I'm as brave as a warrior.
I'm as fast as a fireball.
I'm as fun as a videogame.

What am I?

6.
Mercury

Mercury, oh Mercury
in the space
Why are you so hot?
I like you because you are hot.
You are sooooo hot and
rocky and
so close to the sun and
you are awesome!

7.
To My Dad

I love you when you yell at me.
I love you when you kiss me.
I love you when
you me three checks.
I love you when you hug me.
I love you when DRIVE ME CRAZY!
I love you when you play songs for me.
I love you unconditionally.

8.
To My Sissy

I love you when you don't hug me.
I love you when you do hug me.
I love you when you kiss me.
I love you when you don't kiss me.
I love you when you hate me.
I love you when you do something for me.
I love you unconditionally!