Posted on Fri, Mar. 07, 2008

TURLOCK -- Kool katz, hip hamsters and the down-and-dirty doggies at Walnut Elementary Education Center held a beatnik- inspired poetry jam Thursday.

The "Kool Katz Poetry in Your Pocket Fam-ily Night" was an exclamation point on a week of poetry events. Berets, dark sunglasses and black clothing were everywhere. There were even a few mascara-marker moustaches.

Second-grade teacher Sandie Sing pitched the weeklong "Kool Katz Poetry Festival" after reading about a New York City program.

The kindergartners through sixth-graders in the Renaissance art magnet at Walnut have been reading, writing and performing poetry all week.

Poetry has an obvious arts connection, but teachers can use a poem's rhythm and patterns in teaching math.

And it can help some kids connect with emotions such as anger, grief, joy and love.

"We've heard all kinds," she said Thursday. More than 250 people packed the school's multipurpose room. "It's another way to catch the kids and pull them into literature. They all want to spotlight. They all like rhythm."

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Leprechaun, leprechaun what can you see?
I can see you and you are just about like me!

Hurk

I'd rather play tennis
Than go to the dentist.

I'd rather play soccer
Than go to the doctor.

I'd rather play Hurk
Than go to work.

Hurk? Hurk? What's Hurk?
I don't know, but it must be better than work!

Amusement Park Deception

I got on the tea cups ride
A little nervous inside

They said it'd be fun
Though I wanted to run

Now I know that they really just LIED!

My Grandpa Dave

Let me tell you about my Grandpa Dave.
He is definitely the rave.

One day in Mexico we had so much fun,
We went in the mud on a dune buggy run.

Another day we got stuck in the rain,
And he was bit by a snake which caused him such pain.

He has a huge farm,
Where my dog C.C. can do no harm.

Have you ever been stung by a scorpion's stinger?
My grandpa has, on his index finger.

As you can see,
His stories give me such glee.

I love my Grandpa Dave!

D ragon lover,
O beying kid,
M agnificent friend,
I maginative boy,
N ice son,
I mpressive musician,
C areful brother.
DOMINIC

Roses are red,
Violets are white,

The Cat in the Hat,
Is "Out of Sight!"

Bee staff writer Michael R. Shea can be reached at mshea@modbee.com or 578-2391.