The Day the Music Died

Today marks the anniversary of the plane crash that killed musicians Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, commemorated by Don McLean's song "American Pie."

The lyrics of "American Pie" are a great example of an elegy, a poetic form your students might connect with.

Of course, another great example of songs written for a dead celebrity is Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" (both versions).

More recently, P. Diddy sampled The Police for his tribute to Notorious B.I.G.

Pass the Haggis! It's Robert Burns Day!

January 25th is Scottish poet Robert Burns' birthday.

Poetry lovers around the world can mark the occasion by carving up another of Scotland's gifts to the world, the haggis.



If that picture doesn't make your mouth water, maybe this will: the last (translated) stanza of Burns' poem "Address to a Haggis":

You Pow'rs, that make mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill of fare,
Old Scotland wants no watery ware
That slops in bowls:
But, if You wish her grateful prayer,
Give her a Haggis!


Perhaps to honor Burns, teachers around the world should have students write their own "Address to a [ ]" poems, featuring students' favorite cafeteria foods.

We'd love to hear any "Address to Chicken Strips" or "Address to Mexican Pizza" ditties that roll across your desk.

Another great response for Electronic Poetry Starter

We got another really great review for our Electronic Poetry Starter.



We have four electronic starters in all, and you can find them here.

They're so cool, and your students will enjoy using them to write so much, you might even forget heart-breaking baseball playoff losses.

If It's At ESPN.com, It Must Be A Sport, Right?

Take a look here: clicky click

More on the Plath Legacy

We posted about the death of Sylvia Plath's son the other day. Plath's work still resonates with lovers of poetry today, especially in today's teen-angst-driven school houses.

This article further explores our continued interest in Plath and Plath's work.

Cycle of Tragedy Continues--Sylvia Plath's Son Takes His Own Life

This story gives much food for thought about he nature of artists and people who love them.

It raises the question: How much a writer's biography do you feed to students before teaching a writer's work?






Here's another piece about the family.