The Arrow Finds Its Mark edited by Georgia Heard

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Heard, Georgia, comp. (2012). THE ARROW FINDS ITS MARK:  A BOOK OF FOUND POEMS. ill. Antoine Guilloppe. New York: Roaring Brook Press.  ISBN 9781596436657

SUMMARY:

Words surround us everyday, everywhere we go.  This anthology is a collection of some of those words found on such items as an Oxi-clean detergent containers, SPRINT newspaper advertisement, and a computer drop-down menu to name a few.  Then, the words are reordered and modified, morphing them into a work of beauty to inspire young poets to find their own poetic voice in the world around them.

QUALITY & APPEAL:

Age Range:  8 years and up
Grade Level:  3rd and up
This book has many great features that the reader will enjoy.  Readers can find specific poems using the table of contents, and it also has a great introduction to the book on the inside cover that will help the reader better understand the book's concept.  Students will be drawn in by the books unique concept and humor.  They will find the language and structure of the poems appealing. Young readings and writers will find the language used throughout this book interesting, and will make many connections to its subject matter.

Educators can use this book to inspire their students to put on their "poetry glasses" to sharpen their "poet vision", and find that poetry exists everywhere.  Educators can plan for explorations to assist students in finding existing words and phrases from their surroundings to create refreshing new poems that they have a personal connection to.  Educators can use the poems in the book as a great modeling tool, and as a mentor text that will spark creativity in young writers.

SPOTLIGHT POEM:  (Excerpt from book)

NICKNAMES IN THE NBA

(Found by J. Patrick Lewis in All-Time Player Directory, Official NBA Encyclopedia)

The Mailman, The Admiral, The Answer, The Truth, The Pearl, The Glove, The Dream, The Sheriff,
The Goods, The Waiter, Big Ticket, Big Country, Big Smooth, Big Nasty, Big Baby, Big Fundamental,
Z, Zo, Rip, Bo, Tip, Lo, Stro, Cat, Doggie, Piggie, Goat, Snake, Bull, Horse, Sam I Am,
Tim Bug, Tin Man, Thunder Dan, Sir Dunks-A-Lot, Boom Dizzle, The Hobbit, Vinsanity,
Mt. Motumbo, White Chocolate, Vanilla Gorilla, Dollar Bill, Tractor, Scooter, Ukraine Train,
The Owl Without a Vowel, The Human Highlight Film, Durantula, Magic, Shaq,
Larry Legend, The Chosen One, His Airness.

CONNECTION:

• Introduce lesson about using creative adjectives in students' writing using the above poem.  
• Introduce the topic with a picture or PowerPoint slide displaying famous NBA players.  
• Read the poem slowly in its entirety while students view picture or PowerPoint slide.  Allow them to jot down their ideas as to who each nickname might be referring to.  
• Provide a copy of the poem for each student, typed up in columns with a space by each name.  
• Allow students to work in groups to discuss, and use both technology and nonfiction books as reference tools to investigate the owners' of the nicknames.  After the allotted time, see which group got the most correct answers.  
• Then, transfer this learning into their own writing where they are describing a person, place, or thing.  
• Students will circle each time they mention or refer to their person, place, or thing in their first draft.  
• They will then use technology and a thesaurus as reference tools to come up with an expanded list of creative adjectives they can use in their writing to make it more interesting and fun.
• Students will add at least five creative adjectives in their second draft as they work through the writing process.  

LINKS:

• Georgia Heard's official website
• Great educational resources text listed here by Georgia Heard.