Module 14

Module 14
April 26 – May 2

This is Just to Say by Joyce Sidman

Sidman, Joyce. This is Just to Say. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2007. ISBN: 0618616802

A Version of the World:
This book of poems is apologies and their responses from a fictional classroom of children. They send their classmates apologies for everything that a young child can do and what is important in their world. The second half of the book includes the responses to the apology poems. The respondees are everyone from the teacher, their classmates, and parents.

My Version of the World:
This is a very entertaining book of poems. The author’s forward mentions that she got the idea when her class helped her write an apology poem to her mother. Sidman wondered what responses would look like if apology poems were actually sent. She wrote a very entertaining book with apologies for hitting too hard in dodgeball to wondering if putting a dog to sleep is okay. From the serious to the hilarious, this book of poems should be a good read for all.

*Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

Book Reviews:
For a poetry unit, a fictional sixth-grade class writes 'sorry" poems. They like their poems so much they decide to put them together into a book and then add a second?nbsp;section with responses from the recipients of the 'sorry" poems. The result is a captivating anthology of short poems in various styles touching on different aspects of life. Some poems are humorous, some are sad; some poets are deeply sorry, some aren't; and some kids are forgiven,?nbsp;whileothers are not. Topics include such things as rough play in dodgeball,?nbsp;stealing brownies, breaking a cherished item, and the death of a pet. The quirky illustrations, created with a variety of media, collage, and computer graphics, give a lighthearted feel to the anthology. The fictional authors of the poems are featured in various activities relating to the subject of the poems and provide a very pleasant balance to the text. Children will find much to identify with in the situations presented in the apology poems, and they'll appreciate the resolutions given in the responses. May 15, 2007. Booklist.

Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.-Lee Bock, May 1, 2007. School Library Journal.

In My World:
I would use this to introduce a poetry unit. The author employs several different types of poems with explanations of each at the bottom of the page. It can help teach students that poetry goes beyond rhyming. I would read it aloud within the library to begin a poetry unit. It could also prompt discussion into relationships and when apologies are appropriate or needed.