Pound Ridge Students Partake in Poetry Picnics with the Principal

During a recent lunch period, a group of second graders brought their meals into the Collaboration Station at Pound Ridge Elementary School for a Poetry Picnic with Principal Dr. Stephanie Bell. The exciting experience is an offshoot of last year’s Literacy Lunches, where students shared book reviews with one another.

“Last year, we adopted our new literacy curriculum, Bookworms, and made it our mission to bring literacy to the forefront by creating fun and meaningful opportunities for students to engage with reading and writing,” Dr. Bell said in a message to parents. “This year, we’re continuing that tradition with a new experience: Poetry Picnics. Each student will be invited to enjoy lunch with the principal and share either an original poem or a favorite piece of poetry. Every PRES student will receive an invitation to one Poetry Picnic during the school year.”

Students bubbled with excitement as they filed into the room. The large table in the center was covered with a red and white checkered tablecloth and there was a spot against the wall for photos. The second graders brought poems with them and Dr. Bell had a copy of Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends marked with bright pink sticky notes.

Elana, who chose a Shel Silverstein poem called “Hug o’ War,” was excited about Dr. Bell’s book choice and noted, “There’s a good poem on page 71.”

Dr. Bell read a couple of poems—including “Double Tail Dog” and “Sick,” which led to giggles—before asking questions about poetry.

“What makes poems different from other stories?” she asked students.

They noted that poems often rhyme and can sound like a song.

Once Dr. Bell’s poems had warmed them up and got them talking, students had a chance to read the poems they brought, whether they were from a book or one they wrote themselves.

“I really wanted to capitalize on writing this year,” Dr. Bell said.

If students were shy about reading in front of their peers, Dr. Bell would read for them, encouraging their love of the poem and remarking on what makes it special.

“It’s a lovely way for me to get to know students better and to learn more about their interests,” Dr. Bell said. “Hopefully it’s fun for them too!”