1. Write a tribute to your father or grandfather.
2. What are your favorite memories of June?
   • The end of the school year?
   • Going to camp, the beach or other special summer place?
   • Write an ode to June (month or name).
3. The summer solstice occurs in June.
   • What does this event mean to you?
   • Have you ever participated in solstice celebrations? What were they? Describe them.

1. Go Mexican – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with:
   • Food, perhaps an ode to tamales, or other dish.’
   • Language: the language itself or the poets, actors, telenovelas
   • Ancient empires: Aztec, Toltec, Mixtec, Mayan
   • Mexico under Spanish rule: write of this history
2. In honor of Mother’s Day
   • Write a memory of your mother, grandmother or surrogate mother.
   • Write to the mother your child will one day be, or yourself as a future mother
3. Celebrate Spring
   • Write an ode to your favorite Spring flower.
   • What makes you think of Spring?
4. Memorial Day
   • Perhaps write about why this day is celebrated in May.
   • Write your message to those who serve or have served in the armed services.
   • Have you a special memory of this date and a special someone to remember?
   • Imagine you are the keynote speaker on this day. What would you say?

 

 

 

1. Go Mexican – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with:
   • Food, perhaps an ode to tamales, or other dish.’
   • Language: the language itself or the poets, actors, telenovelas
   • Ancient empires: Aztec, Toltec, Mixtec, Mayan
   • Mexico under Spanish rule: write of this history
2. In honor of Mother’s Day
   • Write a memory of your mother, grandmother or surrogate mother.
   • Write to the mother your child will one day be, or yourself as a future mother
3. Celebrate Spring
   • Write an ode to your favorite Spring flower.
   • What makes you think of Spring?
4. Memorial Day
   • Perhaps write about why this day is celebrated in May.
   • Write your message to those who serve or have served in the armed services.
   • Have you a special memory of this date and a special someone to remember?
   • Imagine you are the keynote speaker on this day. What would you say?

1. How do you define poetry?
2. Defend the need for poets and poetry in any society.
3. April is also the National Humor Month. Try writing a limerick
   • Line 1 and 2 are 9 syllables and rhyme is same sound. (“A” rhyme)
   • Line 3 and 4 are 6 syllables and rhyme each other. (“B” rhyme)
   • Line 5 is same pattern and rhyme as lines 1 and 2.
   • Example from A Book of Nonsense—
     There was an old man with a beard
     Who said, “It is just as I feared.
     Two owls and a hen
     A lark and a wren
     Have all built a nest in my beard.
4. April 23 is English Language Day, World Book Day and the birthday of William Shakespeare.
   • Do you have a favorite book or author? Explain why.
   • Pick a favorite quote, sonnet or monologue from Shakespeare and rewrite it for today’s world.
5. Is English the best language for poetry? Why or why not?