by Bruce Lansky

This is one poem every one of your students can write. Why? Because it's so easy and so much fun.

All they have to do is to make a list of their favorite excuses/complaints they make every time you ask them to write a poem. Add just the right title and ending and voila! They've written a terrific list poem.

Here's how it might turn out:

I Can't Write a Poem

Forget it.
You must be kidding.
I'm still half asleep.
My eyes keep closing.
My brain isn't working.
I don't have a pencil.
I don't have any paper.
My desk is wobbly.
I don't know what to write about.
And besides, I don't even know how to write a poem.
I've got a headache. I need to see the nurse.
Time's up? Uh oh!
All I have is this dumb list of excuses.
You like it? Really? No kidding.
Thanks a lot. Would you like to see another one?

-Bruce Lansky

See what I mean?

I bet your students will love writing this one. To get them started, give them the title and the lines from "Times up?" to "Thanks a lot." Then ask them to come up with some excuses-- the more ridiculous, the better. If you're lucky, they'll come up with the last line on their own: "Would you like to see another one?"

--Bruce Lansky

If you are interested in inviting Bruce Lansky to your school, click here!