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California Kindergarten Association.

Rockin' Kindergarten for over 30 years!

Poem in My Pocket

This week’s Tuesday Teaching Tip comes to us from CKA Board Member and first grade teacher, Deborah Meng.  She shares with us this wonderful part of her reading instruction:

The students memorize a poem and then, receive a copy of the poem to keep in their decorated envelope. They carry the poem around in their pocket and recite it for 10 adults who sign the back. I encourage them to ask teachers/adults at school and allow them to take it home too. When they get 10 signatures, they are given a sticker and a trip to the prize box.

poem in my pocket poem and pocket envelope
poem in your pocket front

Make a copy of the poem (on standard size copy paper) for students to practice in the classroom and at home. I have the poem displayed in a pocket chart and give each student a personal copy to put in their reading folder at their desk. We start the day by reciting our poem and recite it in line just before we go out the door to go home. I assign the poem as part of the weekly homework, so they have a copy at home, too. When a student is able to recite the poem by heart, she/he is given a copy of the poem (printed on a small piece of card stock) to put in their pocket envelope.

poem in your pocket back

On the back of the poem is 10 places for an adult to put their initials after they listen to the student recite the poem. The kids love it!! It has been especially successful with my English Language Learners.
A “Friendship” poem and a Chinese New Year Poem is included here. It’s one of the students favorites! 

Friendship

by Risa Jordan

A friend is a person who wishes you well

And keeps all the secrets that you like to tell.

Friends share their toys and their storybooks too.

Friends can be older or younger than you.

Friends can be real or made up in your mind

But they’re always thoughtful and always kind.

Friends can live nearby or very, very far

But your friends are your friends wherever you are!

 

This was a favorite around Chinese New Year:

Happy Chinese New Year

by Helen H. Moore

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

In China, every girl and boy,

Celebrates the New Year,

In a very special way.

With fireworks and dragons,

Colored red and gold.

They welcome in the New Year,

And chase away the old.

 

Have a favorite poem you like to use in your classroom?  We’d love to hear about it!

 

Filed Under: English Language Development, Kindergarten Reading and Writing, Teaching Tips, Transitional Kindergarten Teaching Tips Leave a Comment

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It's FEATURED TEACHER FRIDAY! Congratulations, Jackie Sue Sanchez! "Ms. Sanchez is an outstanding TK teacher. She warmly welcomes all students to her class while creating a safe and inclusive learning community." This makes her the perfect candidate for Featured Teacher! Thank you, Jackie Sue, for your dedication and caring. YOU make the world a better place🩵. Receiving this honor entitles Jackie Sue to be entered for the opportunity to be CKA's TEACHER OF THE YEAR. Winner of the honor of Teacher of the Year wins a free CKC registration and will be recognized at #CKC2026. #ckalovesteachers #featuredteacherfriday ... See MoreSee Less

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The event you've been waiting for is finally here!📚The Institute will be held on Saturday, September 6th at the Teachers College of San Joaquin in Stockton.📚Inspiring Keynote Address, "Embracing Authenticity in the Art of Teaching", will be presented by the one and only Jake Daggett! @jake_daggett 📚Dynamic breakout sessions given by outstanding early literacy educators! @kinderbrations @kfundamentals2 @flexibleinfirst Chantel Touryan-Schaefer 📚Institute attendees have the opportunity to purchase one professional development unit from the Teachers College of San Joaquin!📚Students, your registration fee is half off!REGISTER TODAY! bit.ly/2025ELI#ckalovesteachers #earlyliteracymatters ... See MoreSee Less

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