Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry By Brian P. Cleary

Brief Overview: The book provides children with a fun introduction to poetry using silly rhymes and puns. This provides children an opportunity to be more interested in poetry with some fun and imagination! As the children read through the fun and quirky poems, the book also includes poetry vocabulary and it's definitions!

Teaching Strategies:

Key Vocabulary:
Poetry
Rhyme
Verse
Stressed and Unstressed syllables

Before Reading: Before reading the book, introduce the lesson of poetry with the key vocabulary words above using a word wall. As children learn more about poetry, they will see their word walls grow. Discuss to the children that there are many forms of poetry but they mostly see rhyming poetry and puns throughout this silly book.

During Reading: As the students read through, have them notetake some patterns they may have noticed about poetry while reading. They will go through and write down any stressed and unstressed syllables they may come across. Students should pick out their favorite poems to discuss with the class and why it's their favorite.

After Reading: Students will write their own rhyming poems and try to distinguish between stressed and unstressed syllables within their own writing.

Extra Resources:
http://www.gigglepoetry.com/ -> Fun poetry for children to enjoy.
http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/home.do -> Children can read poetry, about poets, and submit their own poetry as well!

Cleary, Brian P.. Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2004.

Poetry Collection 2004.