Poetry - Recipe for Endurance By Marilyn Singer

*This poem is in the book Follow the Recipe by Marilyn Singer* 

Poetry - Follow the Recipe by Marilyn Singer

Summary: Through the comparison of different kitchen items Singer, shows that we can have everything around us to make us comfortable. But this is not what one should do, we should always be changing as everything around us is constantly changing. It encourages the children to use their imagination and compare the items to real life. 

Concrete Poetry: This poem is a concrete poem as it includes bright vibrant colors and includes childrens pictures and cartoons. Through this the author is able to grasp the reader's attention and receive the message. In this case by comparing different kitchen items to real life events. While in the process cooking one needs different items, as time changes these items could become easier to use. 

Suggested Activities: 

* Reading out loud/ Music

By reading the poem out loud and breaking it down multiple times would help understand it. If it can be combined with music, it would help as the children make an emotional connection with it. 

* Pictures/ Visuals

By combining pictures and visuals with the poem help make a deeper connection. Not all poems have illustrations, but we can create our own to make the connection easier. 

* Identify key word/phrase(s)

After reading the story multiple times (out loud together, with a partner, and silently) go back and highlight the important words/ phrases. With a marker find the words/phrases repeated over and over or have a pattern in common. 

Personal Comment: I personally enjoy this poem as it can be enjoyed by both children and adults. The message it for both audiences is the same; keep moving and do not settle. This poem shows the children how to keep moving and endorse the changes, while cooking. While for adults the kitchen items represent real life problems and over all have to learn to adapt to changes and keep moving.