A Meeting with the Carver Cubs
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Charlene Stokes and Claire Foshee, representatives of the International Society of Poets (ISP), visited Carver's Childcare Center located at Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore City, Maryland. This daycare program is a unique one, allowing high school students interested in a career in daycare or in pursuing early childhood or elementary education in college firsthand experience working with children. The children enrolled in the program are called “Carver Cubs.” Rebecca Stott, the director of the program, allowed the ISP to come entertain Mrs. Miller's class.
Earlier this year when the ISP was planning its celebration for National Poetry Month, it was decided that it was time to bring some lighthearted fun to area schools. After the positive reaction to last year’s reading of “Jabberwocky” by representative Janna Tanner, the volunteers thought that it was time to focus on younger children since children delight in language and have unrestrained imaginations. The 2007 National Poetry Month was planned around these two characteristics. Once the planning started, Ms. Stokes contacted schools and community programs that the ISP had visited in the past and new ones that had contacted the society. Previous hosts met to discuss the presentations that were used in the past in order to design a new program for 2007. There were many different ideas and directions that were suggested. However, everyone agreed that the work of the beloved Theodor Seuss Geisel, who is internationally known as Dr. Seuss, has a wonderful collection that all readers can connect with no matter how young they may be. He is an enthralling cornerstone in children’s poetry with his meter, rhyme, and imaginative illustrations.
We read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Dr. Seuss’s ABC to the excited Carver Cubs. A number of the children recognized the books from their own libraries at home. Nearly all of the children were captivated by his work. They helped with the alphabet in Dr. Seuss's ABC, and they also suggested objects that began with letters that were not included in the book. Their exuberance was contagious. A young man stated that he wanted an alligator like the one in Dr. Seuss’s “A.” "B" was for "bubbles," "bananas," and "boys." The young ladies were excited when "G" was for “girl.” Some students identified themselves by the first letter of their names. After finishing Dr. Seuss's ABC, the class offered their own experiences with the books. Many children shared that they often read the books with their parents or grandparents.
With time running short, the class transitioned from the alphabet to those favorite Seuss fish. The children had fun describing the fish, following along, and helping out when the excitement exceeded the rhymes. Everyone at the program laughed or chuckled at the silly words and illustrations, leading the enjoyment to spread. The visit ended before the fun did. At the end of the program, the students were given their choice of an ISP stuffed animal for their excellent sharing and suggestions as well as their good behavior. Hopefully, each child and adult will remember our visit and keep laughing, learning, and enjoying poetry.