Comments on: How We Haiku — Teaching Stories 1

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:07:37 +0000

Thank you so much Ellen

So great you are volunteering in nursing homes. They can vary a lot. So many residents do not have visitors. I find much of what I do depends on the mood and vagaries of the Activity Directors, and sometimes feel like I have to charm my way in… Once I am with the elders it is all fine. How about you?

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:04:41 +0000

In reply to Robyn Hood Black.

would love to hear how it went – take care and enjoy these teaching moments

Jeannie

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:03:48 +0000

In reply to Terri French.

Hi Terri

I agree! In what setting have you worked with elderly? They have so much to offer and are not afraid to say what they think. Hope I am like that when I am older…

thanks for being in touch

Jeannie

By: Terri French

Terri French — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:29:48 +0000

Great idea and great first story. I have taught the elderly as well and find they get even more excited than children! I look forward to reading more haiku teaching adventures!

By: Brad Bennett

Brad Bennett — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 13:30:56 +0000

In reply to Ellen Grace Olinger.

Hi Ellen,

Thanks for commenting. I think those lessons that you and Jim wrote are very useful for many populations.

Brad

By: Brad Bennett

Brad Bennett — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 13:28:24 +0000

In reply to Robyn Hood Black.

Thank you for commenting, Robyn. I thoroughly enjoy the haiku that third graders and other young children can produce. They are still so full of wonder and awe that they are natural haijin. Anybody else teaching haiku to kids?

Brad

By: Robyn Hood Black

Robyn Hood Black — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:08:16 +0000

Thank you all for this new feature, and for this insightful post to kick it off. Jeannie Martin, your generosity shines through your story.

I enjoy sharing haiku with students and always delight in what they come up with. I’m about to hit the road this afternoon to do so with third graders as part of a more general school visit tomorrow. Looking forward to the wisdom shared here!

By: Ellen Grace Olinger

Ellen Grace Olinger — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:15:57 +0000

Thank you to Brad Bennett and Jeannie Martin for serving as the Education co-chairs at The Haiku Foundation.

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Jeannie, I spent a lot of time in two nursing homes in Wisconsin, as my mother’s daughter and then as a volunteer with a church. My mother volunteered weekly for 11 years, at the home that cared for her during her last illness. Her service was remembered and honored. Both places had a good atmosphere, though I know settings can vary – and volunteers make a big difference!

I look forward to learning more about your methods for teaching haiku, and I have your book, Clear Water (2013, Red Moon Publications).

At first reading of this post, I see some things in common with the elementary lessons I wrote with Jim Kacian. The poems are mostly from Montage, and so would be age-appropriate for your students. Some of the lessons may work, or could be adapted, depending on the needs of the nursing home residents. The poems are a part of the lessons, as we wanted teachers to be able to print them (for free) and teach with their basic materials. I only mention in case they would be useful, save you some time. My career was in special education and the lessons have adaptations.

I’m retired from teaching, and very much look forward to seeing how you, Brad, and Jim work with education at THF. I look forward to everyone’s stories.

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Many blessings, and thank you,
Ellen