Module 4- Science Poetry
Bibliography:
Alexander, Kwame, et al. Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures. National Geographic, 2017.
Summary:
The picture book of poems does just what the cover says, it celebrates our wild world in poetry and pictures. The book contains beautiful photographs from National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. The photos are paired with the poems of Newberry Medal winner Kwame Alexander. The book contains 40 animals that range from a tiny butterfly to a large elephant. Between the animals poetic words are weaved describing the animals and their features. There is also a call to protect these animals that would inspire a reader of any age.
Analysis:
The book Animal Ark very creatively invites the reader in with a photograph of the happiest of sloth you have ever seen. The background is white with colorful words telling the reader about the author and illustrator. The inside pages are glossy and beautiful. Each animal has a unique photograph. A page that features crickets has multiple ones through the page. A page that has a mohawk plume features just the bird’s head. Multiple pages contain fold outs that give the readers more access to pictures and words. While the photograph backgrounds alternate between black and while the words are presented in many colors. This small details makes the book every more eye catching. The words of the poems seem to dance around the animals throughout the book. The poems are filled with verbs and adjectives and so much figurative language. In the middle of the book, there is a free verse poem titled Chorus of Creatures. This poem sums up the collection of animals and calls for their protection. Phrases like “we are all made of light” are highlighted in different colors and made to stand out among the words. At the end of the book there is a note from the photographer as well as the writer. They speak of their inspiration and motivation. The last fold out in the book highlights each animal and their proper name and where they can be found. The selection I chose to share is an excerpt from the longest poem in the middle of the book.
Activity:
This book would be a great companion to any science lesson on animals. The photographs are so appealing any elementary student would be mesmerized. Animal Ark would be a great introduction to a new unit or a final wrap up. The animals in the book would be a great way to practice alliterations. Students can volunteer to say a few words about each animal using the starting sound. This can be kept as a running list. It would be a great way to practice an element of poetry while describing an animal they are learning about in science.
Li-Berry-ian 