Amy Losak

Interesting article and column. Perhaps if poetry is paired with other activities and art forms for a more comprehensive educational experience, it might resonate more. Here is what I'm doing in tribute to my late mother, Sydell Rosenberg, an anthologized American poet. She was a charter member of the Haiku Society of America, founded in 1968, and a teacher. I hope one day to publish a children's book of her work - which is what she wanted -- but meanwhile, these initiatives have been satisfying for everyone involved. Haiku, with their compact and concise format, yet so richly evocative – and of course, poetry in general – can expand the scope of kids’ imaginations and help them make creative connections, as well as facilitate literacy through elegant, spare wordplay and metaphor. I think it's fair to say that haiku capture “nature in nuggets,” as I like to say. They are ideal for “en plein air” reading and writing, as well as arts and crafts, gardening – or just observing and exploring! I have made some strides in sharing her work with young audiences: I recently concluded the second Sydell Rosenberg-Arts For All haiku/art workshop series for second-graders at P.S.163 in the Bronx, in which several of mom’s animal haiku were integrated into drawing, painting and writing. The first program took place in the fall of 2013. Another program recently wrapped at P.S. 163: a haiku/music workshop series for English as a Second Language learners – also second-graders. I attended three of the six sessions. They were delightful! The two music teachers from the nonprofit Arts For All, my partner, developed inventive lesson plans to connect my mom’s haiku to melody and rhythm, with the words serving as the verses. The children helped to construct the melody and even their own haiku “lyrics” which served as a unifying chorus. The lead music teacher selected four haiku, each one representing a season. Also, in 2013 I worked with the Children’s Museum of the Arts on a splendid project called the PoeTree – please see this blog below. Using my mom’s haiku, and her definition of haiku, as a guide or starting point, kids were encouraged to write their own haiku on paper leaves and suspend them from the tree. Over several months, this golden structure became populated with many colorful, decorated leaves. In addition to the PoeTree blog, please also see this recent article about the importance of teaching poetry in schools. My partnership with Arts For All is included. Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about my efforts, and I look forward to future opportunities to amplify my mom's versatile verses in ways that serve children. http://blog.cmany.org/featured-artists/poetree/ http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/04/16/why-its-important-teach-poetry-schools

Posted : Jul 02, 2014 07:39