Poetry Review: Performance Poetry

Big Talk: Poems for Four Voices                                           by Paul Fleischman                        Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe

Bibliographic Citation: Fleischman, Paul. Big talk: poems for four voices. Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe. Massachusetts:Candlewick Press. 2000.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-0636-7

Review: This colorful, eye-catching poetry book will have kids trying to read it, only to realize that the best way to read it is out loud with three other friends! Kids will enjoy reading and performing these poems. They are cleverly written for the older/upper elementary student to relate to, understand and enjoy.  The repetition of the poetry helps the readers read together and allow it to make sense. The rhythm of the poem will shine through as they read it aloud multiple times. The colored lines make it simple enough to follow along with your dedicated line to share.

Seventh-Grade Soap Opera

  Brenda calls Gregory

                            Derek snubs Catherine

                                                               Ingrid tells Beverly

                                                                                         Jason eyes Jacqueline

Rick gives his e-mail address to Penelope

                                                                 Faith invites Gwendolyn

                                                                 Faith invites Gwendolyn

                                                                 Faith invites Gwendolyn   Chelsea lets Brad read her answers in history.....

(my lines are not exact as in the book)

Introduction to Share:  This poetry book would be a great example of how to demonstrate why poetry is best understood when it is read aloud.  The teacher, or even a lone student, trying to read this poem to themselves or aloud to a class, would not make much sense. But, by assigning lines, the students can read their part and perform it for others to help it make better sense. Students will definitly identify with the "drama" portrayed in the portion of the poem shared. Just by giving these few lines, students can get the idea and could continue writing the poem, in their own words, to make it more relevant to their lives.  Another poem from this book is Ghosts' Grace. This poem is from the perspective of four ghosts watching and remembering what food was like when they were alive.  This poem opens the door for a very cute play for students to act out and for others to write a second act.