Love That Dog

Main Characters: Jack, Miss Stretchberry, Walter Dean Myers, Sky

Setting: Miss Stretchberry's classroom, Room 105

Summary: Jack creates different poems that mean something to him after hearing numerous famous poems from his teacher Miss Stretchberry.  The first few poems Jack wrote he asked the teacher to keep them anonymous when she hangs them up because he doesn't think they're good enough or that boys should write poems.  After writing a few, he starts letting the teacher put his name on them and he ends up writing a wonderful poem about his dog, Sky, that was inspired by famous poet Walter Dean Myers who comes to talk to Jack's class at school.  This is a great story about how if you give new things a chance, you might come to love them and get to experience new things.

I would use this in my classroom before students are going to write their own poems.  I would also use this as a history lesson before introducing students to different poets and poems.  After reading this, I would have students pick their favorite poem from the book and have them re-write it in their own words and connect it to their personal lives just like Jack did in the book.

My favorite poet is Edgar Allan Poe.  His work is sometimes described as dark, but I find it very interesting, different, and amusing.  He is very creative and there is always an underlying message in each of his poems.  The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is also my favorite poem I have ever read.  It is also his most famous poem.  He's one of those poets that you really have to pick apart each stanza to understand what he's trying to tell you and I find that challenging, rewarding, and interesting.  

My favorite inspirational poem is Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.  This poem inspires people to be themselves no matter what society is trying to tell you.  People are going to try and tear you down, but don't give them the satisfaction.  It's important to stay true to yourself and not worry about what others think about you.

Questions to consider:

• How can you help students both make meaning of poetry and enjoy it?
• Do you understand the different types of poetry?

Reference:

Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. HarperCollins Publishers. New York, NY. 2001. Print.