This morning I was thinking about my students, and my granddaughter who is also out of school. And I wanted to reassure them that, although their days look so different right now, it won't last forever. And, it's okay!!

So, here's a fun little poem called "At Home"

At Home

I’m in my house -
Imagine that!
I was supposed to be 
​In school…

Instead of friends
Like Charlotte Kate,
My recess pal is brother Nate.

Instead of reading in a group,
My bookmate is tomato soup.

Instead of Mrs. Weisiger’s voice,
I scan a menu board for choice.

I’m in my jammies at
Half-past ten -
Oh! Mom says it’s time to 
Stretch again!

My backpack is empty,
But, it’s okay! It’s cool!

One day I will be back in school!

Christy Weisiger, 3/17/2020

Encourage your student writer to try her hand at a poem today. There is a lightness about verse that is fun and engaging for even our youngest writers.

Stay well and be safe!

#allkidscanwrite

The very first form of writing I can remember falling in love with is poetry. I started writing poetry when I was in elementary school, and continued dabbling in verse through college. It is such an accessible way to express emotion, ideas, life, everything. And, there is something controllable about the form of short verse - which appeals to me right now as I don't feel in control of much of anything else! I have tried writing prose - completing 3 manuscripts of middle grade fiction - none of which are published. I always find myself blocked at the revision stage. I struggle to be able to wrap my head around revising something that is over 100 pages long. And, so, those beautiful little stories sit in a manuscript drawer, unrevised and unedited and unpublished. Maybe one day...

A few weeks ago, I found myself drawn back to the idea of poetry. And, now that our lives have been so dramatically changed, I am inspired to capture some of what I'm feeling in verse. 

Coincidentally, I am working on writing a Poetry Unit of Study for my district, K-5. The serendipitous nature of this situation is not lost on me.

So, today I tried to write my first poem. Here it is...after a few revisions. It may not be perfect. But, just as I never expect my students' work to be perfect, just to reflect their best effort, I am giving myself the same grace. 

Isolation

Outside my window
It is dark
Except for the reflection
Of my face staring out into the shadows of 
Pre-dawn solitude.

My gaze, defying the 
Backyard distances, approaches and stands
On the windowsill of a neighbor’s kitchen that is
Filled with warm, yellow light and the 
Imagined aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and
The embracing chit-chat of Monday breakfast - 
Connecting us.

At a time

When we must

Not connect

Except through gazes darting across isolated backyards hidden 
In darkness.

Christy Weisiger 3/16/2020

I will check back in with you all as this journey continues. Anyone who would like support for a student writer at home, please reach out! What a gift it would be to the world if our youngest writers capture their lives in this moment!!

Take care and be safe!

#allkidscanwrite