Teaching tricks

Chapter 2 in my Survey of Children's Lit. textbook, The Wonder of it All, is probably the most interesting chapter I've read in any textbook all year (and that includes last winter semester, too). I thoroughly enjoyed reading the entire chapter, titled "The Presence of Literature to Build Community." In fact, I enjoyed it so much that, by the end of my reading, I was nearly ready to change my major once again and become an elementary teacher. Never fear though, I said nearly, not definitely. I figure I might as well graduate with Mass Communication before venturing off into another major. Anyway, one section in the chapter talked about how students could introduce themselves to their teacher and classmates through writing. One idea, from Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book, uses a poetic pattern. I've tried a few verses using objects in my apartment that I can see from my desk and then using myself:

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The important thing about a refrigerator is that it keeps food cold.
You can store things on top of it,
and you can stick lists and papers
to the front of it with magnets.
But the important thing about a refrigerator is that it keeps food cold.

The important thing about a dresser is that you put clothes in it.
It can hold a mirror,
and it's a good place to put picture frames and books,
and it's very useful to stand on if you have to reach high places.
But the important thing about a dresser is that you put clothes in it.

The important thing about Alison is that she is a writer.
She likes to climb trees and read books,
and collect coins and watch lightning storms.
She loves traveling in cars, planes, ships and trains.
But the important thing about Alison is that she is a writer.

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And now that you're completely captivated, I shall bait you with the promise of riddles to come in tomorrow's blog post. See, didn't I tell you this textbook was great?