Teacher Poetry

     Every December I teach poetry.  We do a variety of styles many lending themselves to silliness and fun.  I try to write my own poems while my students write.  I enjoy it and it sets a good example.  One type of poem they usually enjoy is the "Never Will I Ever" poem.  It's an acrostic poem.  Here's mine this year:

Never will I ever...
Endure complaints about hard work.
Vote to teach on the weekends.
Expect to only give directions once.
Race my class in the halls.
Withhold quiz information.
Indulge in more than three Diet Cokes at school.
Lollygag between specialists.
Linger past the bell in the lunchroom. 
Invade another teacher’s classroom.
End a lesson without answering questions.
Vow to teach kindergarten.
Exercise my influence for evil.
Request a new class.
                        By Mrs. Johnson

     Another style we attempt is called "Alphabet Soup Poems."  My musing this year:

My Kids                                                                       By Mrs. Johnson

Children, I love you, but you’re
Driving me crazy.
Everyone stop
Fighting!
Good job, now time for
Hugs.

     We also experiment with List Poetry.  This is my poem this year:

By Mrs. Johnson

Reasons...

My homework isn’t done:
I left it at school, in the car or at my friend’s house.
I was at a Jazz game, a concert or a restaurant until late.
My mom/dad wouldn’t help me.
I didn’t know we had homework.
The teacher didn’t give me the work.
We were too busy.

Your tests aren’t corrected:
I left the key at school.
I was at my daughter’s basketball game.
My son needed his paper edited.
The baby had a fever.
My favorite tv shows were on.
I fell asleep.

   I know I repeat myself a lot.  Sorry I can't remember what I've posted before.  These are some of  my favorite teacher poems I've written:

Things to Do Instead of Get Started on My Assignment

Sharpen my pencil
Get a tissue
Look for my pencil
Pull out the wrong book
Ask to go to the bathroom
Try to go get a drink
Talk to my neighbor
Stare into space
Walk to my cubby for no reason
Tap my pencil
Dig through my pencil box
Doodle on the edge of my paper
Ask for help before reading the directions

Things Not to Ask Your Teacher

Do we have to write in complete sentences?
When is lunch?
What time does school get out?
Are we going to have homework?
Do we have to know this?
Would you repeat those directions, again?
Do I have to finish this WHOLE page?
What did you just say?

     I love to share these with my students.  Some get the joke, others ask questions that should be in my poem.  Poetry is such a good outlet.  I love teaching it and writing it.  Try some yourself and send them my way.