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Friday, August 23, 2013

POETRY FRIDAY



My first full official week back at school. Teachers started Tuesday and our kids start Monday.  I can't wait! In the meantime, like most other teachers, I'm crazy busy and exhausted. This poem, "The First Day of School," is one that I have probably used almost since the beginning of my career, a very long time ago, but I think it's still applicable to most teachers and kids.

"The First Day of School"

…And what if I can't find lunch, or I sit on my lunch,
or I (oops!) drop my lunch someplace like the toilet?
Will they let me starve or will somebody lend me a sandwich?
A cookie? A cracker? An apple? Some juice?
And what if they say, "Do this," and I don't understand them?
And what if there's teams and nobody picks me to play?
And what if I took off my sneakers, and also my socks, and my jeans, and my sweatshirt and T-shirt,
And started the first day of school on the second day?

By Judith Viorst

You can read the poem in its entirety here. 

Betsy is hosting Poetry Friday is at  I Think in Poems.

12 comments:

  1. My favourite first read to my students. It gives us a chance to share the worries of the school year and how our distinct personalities will fit into our class...all of us!

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  2. Hi Carol! That's a great poem for the first day of school! It really brought back to me the anguish of the night before trying to get my clothes just right.

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  3. Can you believe I did not know that this poem? But it's a keeper. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Great poem, Carol. Brings back so many memories. Some things never change. Have a great school year!

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  5. wish I had a class to share it with

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  6. Some of our newer teachers do not know the Judith Viorst poems, or her. Great poem, Carol. So many kids worry so. I just found a Baldo cartoon I shared with those who teach the older students. Most of those pictured had thought bubbles saying, "do they like my shirt/blouse/or shoes, etc." You get the picture-such anxiety! Hope you have a beautiful start to the year!

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  7. So glad to see Judith Viorst's poems here - this is something I'd love to share with my own teacher-students. Classes have begun two weeks back for me (both university term and my daughter's middle school). Poetry is always a good way to start the school year.

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  8. Happy first day of school next week! Yikes! You have to start with five days in a row. Doing three before a weekend seemed just right.

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  9. Enjoy the first week of school! Best wishes for a wonderful year. There's nothing quite like the giddy anticipation of the beginning . . .

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  10. Oh all the worries that come with a new school year! This poem is perfect.

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  11. Nothing like a bit of shared anxiety to make kids feel more comfortable. Hope your first week of school is going well!

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