Backstory from Beginning to End
When it comes to making lists, I am pretty sure everyone has made at least one list in their lifetime. That one may have been a list of things to buy, a list of what is wanted for Christmas, or even a list of what is on the menu. Many of us have even made list of things we need to do, a list of goals, places to visit, or things to see.
When most of us see or make lists, we don’t realize that it is an opportunity to create list poetry. As a parent and educator, I find myself looking for opportunities to introduce poetry to those who may otherwise shun the thought of reading or writing poetry, including my family and friends.
When I first started having students create lists. I used the lists to teach grammar, the use of articles, and syntax as related to position of adjectives, spelling, etc. Although important the grammar was a small part of it. Engaging the students and encouraging them to communicate through writing was the objective. This became more prevalent the longer I taught and learned. When writing their “Querido Papa Noel/Dear Santa” letters (see above), the students asked for everything from cars to money to a boyfriend to graduation. Imagine what could have happened if I, in those early years, had taught them how to elaborate on their list. That association of connection would have enhanced their language skills and their vocabulary.
The Book & The Poems
Underneath My Bed: List Poems is a book of List poems. The author, Brian P, Cleary, begins the book with his definition of a list poem, explaining its essence and purpose. He notes that it is a list of what ever you want: people, things, events, emotions, places, and whatever else the “poet” wants. It does not require a prescribed length and can rhyme or not. He shares examples of different types of list poems for us to read.
List poetry, sometimes called catalog poetry, is one of the easiest and oldest forms of poems. A list poem is more than just a list that has been jotted down; it usually has a purpose. Sometimes the purpose is communicated through a comment that the poet uses to tie the items together. This is especially important if the comment explains what connects things that seem to be different. Sometimes a list poem goes beyond simple words and includes full sentences, like In the Evening.
Types of List Poems & Examples of Poetic Creations of Students, Myself, and My Children
In the Evening
I am doing my homework.
My mom is working on the computer.
My dad is watching television.
My oldest brother is outside playing basketball.
My oldest sister is curling her hair.
My younger brother is playing video games.
My baby sister is sleeping on the couch.
My cats are playing with balls of yarn.
List Poems can be used with just about any topic (student choice such as favorite activity or teacher assigned such as a season, nature, a holiday, a recent field trip, a place, an event, science or social studies topic, a historical figure or famous person, a book, etc.). This can even be used as a simple final project since it displays the most important words about a topic. The topics for list poems are endless.
To give you an idea of sample topics I am providing you with six of the poem titles included in Underneath My Bed; but be warned, none are simple word lists.
- Underneath My Bed (Things underneath the Bed)
- At the Bus Stop (Things people do at the bus stop)
- Yellow (Things that are yellow)
- Come April (Things that happen during the month of April)
- In the Pockets of My Cargo Shorts (Things that are in the pockets)
- The Glove Compartment of our Van (Things in the glove compartment.
Some say there are three types of List Poems (regular List Poem, Color List Poem, -ing Poem). I believe there are more. Regardless of whether you are keeping tabs on the number or not, what is more important is understanding that list poems are an engaging and purposeful way to incorporate poetry and develop fluent brainstorming and categorizing ideas! The important thing is not to know, but to do.
When introducing or asking a person to write a list poem, I ask them to choose a topic and itemize what they associate with the topic. If applicable, once the list is complete, I try to get them to bring the list alive by adding descriptions, similes, metaphors, actions, imagery, onomatopoeia, or rationales. The descriptions can be single words or complete phrases or sentences. Sometimes it may be complete sentences that tell a story. When possible, I like for drawings and photos to be present.
From My Window, I See…
I look out my window and I see
Blooming yellow daffodils
White daffodils
Pink azaleas
Yellow daffodils
Blue skies
A bright yellow Sun
Black Asphalt street
Colorful butterflies
Yellow and Black bumblebees
Green Leaves
Grey Squirrels
A red Cardinal
What I Wanted for Christmas When I was a Little Girl
A Chatty Cathy doll to talk to me
A Thumbelina doll to cradle
A baby sister or brother to play with
Books, Books, Books and more books to read
A hula hoop
A jump rope to play double dutchies
Jacks to play with
An Easy Bake Oven to cook cakes
Paper dolls to dress
A bicycle
Candy to eat
A pretty dress to wear to church
New clothes for school
A winter coat to keep me war
Another strategy I like to use to inspire list poems is to provide a picture as a prompt to get them writing. I suggest that for the first attempt choose an image which they are familiar. Another variation is to take or have them take a song and turn it into a list form. The following is based on Kelly Clarkson’s song, My Grown Up Christmas List.
Kelly Clarkson’s Lifelong Christmas List
Based on her song My Grown Up Christmas List
No more lives torn apart
No wars
Time for hearts to heal
Friends for everyone
Right to always win
Endless love
No heartache
Innocence of Youth
The Color List Poem is a specific variation of a List Poem, where items are listed of a specific color. It is a good follow up or lead in to a game of “I Spy with my little eye something…” To enhance the poem, use an adjective to describe each item on the list. This is great for working on descriptors and adjectives!
Red
An apple
A firetruck
Mary’s dress
My book
Little red hood
My pencil case
My folder
A Red Velvet cake
My apron
Lipstick
The stop sign
Red
An apple in my lunchbox
A firetruck rushing up the street
Mary’s prom dress
My favorite book
Little Red Riding Hood’s hood
My new shiny pencil case
My writing folder
A delicious Red Velvet cake
My Nana’s Apron
Miss Martin’s bright lipstick
The stop sign on the end of my street.
Another activity to support, engage and connect students to a color list poem is to create a chart paper poster that focuses on colors. This activity can be the initial activity or the follow up. For very young children, put the color word (in the respective-color marker/paint/crayons) in the middle. Have children use magazines to find things of the target color. Once they find it let them rip it out or cut (depending on scissor skills) the item and paste it on the chart paper. They can then name the items or if they don’t know what it is, you can use this as a teachable moment to teach a new word. Older children can do the same but may make a collage. They can follow up by creating a descriptive story based on the pictures.
The –ing Poem is another specific variation of a List Poem, where present tense action verbs are listed that relate to a topic. Adding the action words is great for working on verbs!. This also can be used with many topics.
Summer Plans
Going to the beach
Playing in the sand at the beach
Running in the ocean
Sleeping as late as I want
Taking naps in the middle of the day
Staying home if I don’t want to go out
Reading books
Watching television
Playing video games
Talking to my friends
Hanging out with my friends
Traveling with my family
Watching my dad cooking on the grill
Another easy variation is a “To Do” list, an “I Do” list, an “I Can Do” list, an “I Did” list or an “I Will Do” list.
I Read Everything and Everywhere
I read in the morning.
I read in the car
I read in the doctor’s waiting room.
I read on the porch.
In my bed,
I read laying on my stomach..
I read in the library.
I read in the books toread
I read in the bathroom.
When entertaining children
When traveling,
I read sitting up.
I read when I wait for someone,
I read on the plane.
I read maps.
I read books.
I read the newspaper.
I read magazines.
I read the back of food packages.
In my post I Like My Salsa Picante I have included two examples of poems that can also be classified under list poetry, the biopoem and the “I am From” poem.
My newest list will be an ongoing list; it is my bucket list. I had been keeping most of it in my head until recently when my daughter gave me the My Bucket List for Christmas. Not only do I list those things on my bucket list, but it also provides the format to document the “before” and “after,” allowing documentation of progress. Below is a picture of my list thus far and the entry for #11 – Start a blog.
From Beginner to Expert
For your more advanced students, readers, classes consider using some of Carl Sandburg’s poetry to show how profound a list poem can be. I personally like the following poems (click on link) as examples of list poetry: Sleepyheads, Arithmetic, I am the People–The Mob, his Lines Written for Gene Kelly To Dance To, Goodnight, As noted before there are several different types of list poems. I’ve chosen these Sandburg poems because most are not color, regular, -ing, biopoems or “I am From” list poems.
Sleepyheads provides the list, using examples and complete sentences to tell a story. Arithmetic is a definition list poem that explains what a word means. It shows examples, defines the word, and demonstrates imagery. It creates uses comparisons and similes to paint a picture of arithmetic. I am the People-The Mob is a more complex “I Am” Poem than those in my I Like My Salsa Picante post. In Lines for Gene Kelly To Dance To, the list includes telling someone what to do and also poses questions. I like to call that an I2 (Imperative and Interrogative) list poem. Goodnight uses imagery and metaphors as examples of ways to say Goodnight. It also begins with an introductory sentence to tie the poem together.
My challenge to all–instead of simple lists, turn your lists into poetry. Provide opportunities for you, your family, your friends and your students to go beyond jotting down words. Use cluster maps to brainstorm topics and associative words. Enhance those words. Expand the observation, organization, and categorization skills. Use alliteration, symbols, personifications, rhyming words. That simple extension moves you up the rungs on the critical thinking skills ladder and makes all better writers, communicators and poets. Instead of just jotting down what someone wants Christmas, use descriptors or reasons why it is desired.
In addition to the suggestions above, remember to encourage students to use artwork and pictures as illustrations for their list poems. Make sure to share their work by displaying in the halls, having them recite them in a poetry cafe or even create a book that can be shared.
I love this piece! I am and have always been a list-maker, but have never thought of lists as poetry, although I have encountered a few poems that were written that way. What a wonderful idea, and a super vehicle for learning…I can see so many possibilities. I’m a language learner, and it’s nice to see someone with experience in the same ones I use – English (of course), French, and Spanish (also German for me). Thanks for some great ideas!
Thank you for your comment. List poems have always been a favorite of mine, no matter the language. I love going back and rereading some of the list poems of my students and of mine from the past. Please feel free to share some of yours.
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Thank you. It is an easy poetry format that we utilize every day. All we need to do is expand our thoughts to turn it into poetry.