During a unit on poetry, students in Mrs. Hoffman’s and Mrs. Mastroianni’s 4th-grade classes at Harrison Park Elementary School read the book The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald. Next, the students were challenged to write their own “best part” poems. Unbeknownst to the students, their parents were asked to write a poem about the best part of their child. The classes used the poems to compare points of view, voice, and poetry styles.
“This activity not only allowed us to teach poetry in a fun and engaging way, but it enabled students to explore a positive self-image and included family involvement,” said Mrs. Hoffman.
“My favorite part of this project was watching the students open their family’s poem about them,” added Mrs. Mastroianni. “One of my students cried when she read it!”
Hagen Offield, Lydia Truschel, Frankie Pallitto, Carly Firko, and Michael Shannon show off their best parts
Linus Florio, Will Weishaar, Brendan Schwer, Adrianna Chapkis and Maren Sloan show their best parts