Module 5: Performance Poetry - Messing Around the Monkey Bars

Bibliographic Information
Franco, Betsy. Ills. by Jessie Hartland. MESSING AROUND THE MONKEY BARS. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN:9780763631741.

Summary and Analysis
This collection of read aloud poems begins with a note and illustration on how to alternate the lines between two speakers or say lines together. It introduces this book of poetry with more excitement due to this participation element. The text alternates between regular font, bold, or large bold so that the readers know if the line is to be spoken by reader a, reader b, or both (respectively). Poems have a lot of repetition, which would help a class aloud reading or a pair reading especially if one child is shy or a struggling reader. Therefore, these poems can be enjoyed in a variety of styles - reading alone, reading together, or reading as a class. Many of the poems only have one or a few words per line and this use of line breaks make each poem sound different as it is read. This is a great example of the different ways to write a poem and the use of line breaks and white space to signify messages and focus on rhyming and intent.

This collection takes on the silly tone of Shel Silverstein with making everyday tasks or events humorous. This will make Franco's poems very appealing to young audiences due to the familiar tasks and familiar feelings. It would also help exhibit how poetry can be found anywhere and may lead to some writing assignments for the readers. Hartland's illustrations are colorful, childlike, and they add to Fanco's words using the same humor and tone. This entire collection is visually appealing as well as linguistically appealing with the sounds of words being a continual source of entertainment. The poems are full of action and children will enjoy saying these words as well as the message of the poems as well.


Highlighted Poem
Jump Rope Jingle

Come on in.
I'll jump with you.
It's double fun
to jump with two.

Jump, jump,
spin around.
Jump, jump
slap the ground.


Turn to the east.
Turn to the west.
Choose the one
you like the best.

Jump, jump,
A, B,
C

Jump, jump
1, 2,
3

Turn in circles.
Keep the beat.
Feel the rhythm
in your feet.

Reader 1: regular font
Reader 2: bold
Read together: bold italics

Connections
I chose Jump Rope Jingle as the poem to highlight because it shows how Franco writes for shared reading alternating between voices and then bringing them together again. I also chose it because it was the poem that could easily transfer into a performance poem for a group of children. The actions of the poem (jump, slap, turn) could add motions to the poetry which would offer another level of enjoyment for students just learning to appreciate poetry. These poems are great for partner reading or class reading and as mentioned in our text, would be great for readers of different reading levels as the words are simple and most poems have lots of repetition. As the poems are all about school, friends, siblings, teachers, and other every day experiences to children, it would not be difficult for students to select a poem that spoke to them that they could deliver or rewrite and keep for their enjoyment.