The Clip Sheet: Poetry and Plays: Sparks That Ignite the Reading ProgramAuthor(s): Nicholas P. CriscuoloSource: The Reading Teacher, Vol. 38, No. 7 (Mar., 1985), pp. 717-718Published by: Wiley on behalf of the International Reading AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20198913 .

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Send review copies of books and materials for "The Clip Sheet" directly to Dr. Nicholas

Criscuolo, Curriculm Resource Center, 185 Barnes Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06513, USA.

The

Clip Sheet

Poetry and plays: Sparks that ignite the

reading program Nicholas P. Criscuolo, New Haven (Conn.) Public Schools

As an elementary student, I had a favorite teacher. One reason she was a favorite

was that she read to us every day. I also think she was very wise, too. Why? Because this teacher knew that we had to master important reading skills and she provided the lessons for us to learn them. A steady diet of skills and drills doesn't thrill, so she left time during the day to nurture the love of reading?time to listen to the sounds and thoughts expressed so beautifully in poetry and plays.

This memory is one reason I'm so captivated by two books that can be used

effectively to bring freshness and life to the reading program. The first is titled

Poetry Place Anthology and the second Big Book of Plays. (Both are 1983 hard cover Instructor Books by Instructor Publications, 757 Third Avenue, New

York, New York 10017, USA. Each costs US$12.95.)

Poetry Poetry Place Anthology contains more than 600 poems ?some short, some

long ?for all occasions and seasons. There are poems that celebrate special

holidays and poems that honor famous people. Two useful sections in this book are Anytime Poems (self-explanatory), and

Enjoying and Creating Poetry. The latter offers good suggestions for using the

poems in this book and ways to help children appreciate poets and their work. For example, one suggestion for teachers is to have the children make scratch

crayon drawings for Halloween. The children use crayons to color paper com

pletely with bright fall colors, then cover it all with black. A verse that invites

spooky pictures is displayed and children then scratch off the black to make a scene that the poem suggests.

Practical ideas are also offered for using some of the poems to develop bulle tin boards. Additional suggestions are given for creating a Poetry Center, Mo

biles, and a Poet-tree.

The CLASSROOM Reading Teacher 717

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Plays There are more than 75 classroom-tested plays for every season, holiday, and

grade level in The Big Book of Plays. Some of the plays are written for small

groups and some for large groups. The book also contains pantomimes, puppet productions, choral readings, and radio shows.

This book is easy to use, and not only gives dialogue and stage directions but also specific suggestions for costumes, scenery, lighting and props. Each pre sentation is clearly marked for primary, intermediate or upper grade students.

The last chapter "Before the Curtain Rises" is particularly helpful because it offers concrete drama tips for organizing these productions in terms of rehears

ing, doing puppet shows and even getting out-of-tune singers on key! The plays are well written. One of my favorites is "Bright Promises for Su

Lin" written for United Nations Day. The play emphasizes the importance of

maintaining harmony among all nations and commemorates the 100th anniver

sary of the presentation of the Statue of Liberty by the people of France to then U.S. President Grover Cleveland. This play conveys the message that no matter

what their language or religion, basically all people appreciate freedom and

opportunity and want the same things. There are many good, extra features in this volume. Some plays include

songs?a musical dimension that enhances the play. Black and white illustra tions accompany some plays. Each play may be reproduced (unless otherwise

noted), so that each pupil can be given a copy. These two books are topnotch. I recommend them to enliven the daily reading

curriculum.

Book card James Charnock, School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Invasion of the Comet People Grades 3-5

by Philip Curtis, 1983

(Knopf softcover, 120 pages)

His father growled, "The next time that happens, say 'ow.' Say it

now!"

"Ow!" cried the boy. Jason's and his parents' survival depends on not being discovered

as different. They have to speak English and not the language of

their planet. The Taylors (a name they hide under) have been secretly landed

on Earth to discover more about it in order to help their people plan a future invasion.

But things don't go smoothly. Jason, who has to attend school (to avoid suspicion), isn't able to hide that he is unusual. Besides some

odd behavior, his alien power shows when he always wins at a

certain game. A friend, Skiky, becomes too curious for Jason's

good, and exciting complications begin.

(Fantasy/Science Fiction)

718 The Reading Teacher March 1985

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