Hi everyone,
TIM RASINSKI and I have received the news that our book with Shell Education in 2016, Rhymes of the Times, Literacy Strategies through Social Studies (Classroom Resources) is going out of print.
The project was written as three books, one each for grades 4, 5, and 6. At the last minute an editorial decision was made to combine all three into one large book. Internally, the book meant for 4th grade teachers was about states, the book for 5th grade teachers was about American history, and the book for 6th grade teachers was about ancient history. We wondered why a teacher in any one of those grades would be interested in paying for an expensive book, two-thirds of which was written for other grades. I value and respect this publisher. I’ve done other books with them and have newer titles in their line now. I wish there were a way to find a second life for these three books as separate books elsewhere. I’m sure that Tim and I will consider the options. Here are two examples of poems that were the source for classroom activities to strengthen reading skills.
Pioneers
No interstates,
no highways,
no roads, paved or graveled.
Only trails toward the westward sun,
deeply rutted by iron clad wheels
of wagons weighted by everything
a family might need along the way
and at the end of their journey.
Little room for passengers,
but for the weak and ill,
amid the stores of food,
dishes, clothing, furniture,
tools, and bedding.
Most rode horse or mule
or walked by their wagon,
inching ten miles a day,
month after weary month
for half a year through heat,
flooded rivers, hostile territory.
Yet they came
and still they came,
determined folks determined
to start anew in a new world.
Peopling the west,
ensuring the future
of a young America.
*
Imperial Rome, 2,100 years ago
Caesar himself,
so it was said,
hated the ruckus --
chariots rattling stony streets,
dogs yapping, screaming boys,
vendors shouting, crowded shops,
roaring hubbub, thrumming noise --
“Enough!”
Caesar might have said --
pounding hoof beats, beggars’ cries,
bleating animals, shrieks, squeals,
cracking whips, roaring crowds,
warlike groaning iron wheels --
“I cannot think!”
All was jangle, throb, and clamor,
Clatter, chatter, clang, and clop.
Caesar must have held his head
and longed to make the noises stop.
The biggest city on the earth,
a million people called it home.
“It’s noisy here,” said Caesar.
It was Rome!
(c) 2016 David L Harrison, all rights reserved
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