Group Animal Poems

Working in small groups, students at Jane Addams Elementary studied various photos of animals from _National Geographic_ and then wrote collaborative animal poems. Here are just a few of the many wonderful poems that resulted from the exercise:

Room 205

Elephant in the Water
Group Poets: Jenevie A., Christian L., Vanessa R.

This elephant’s trunk is big and wrinkly.
Its skin is really bumpy.
The elephant moves around in the water.
It plays in the sand and gets down and dirty.
He likes to be on his knees. He also has long tusks.
Its eyes are as big as big eyeglasses.
Its whole body is wrinkly. His tail is puffy
like Eeyore’s, from Winne-the-Pooh.


The Tortoise
Group Poets: Glafira G., Jessica Z., Olivia M., Brenda V.

I found a tortoise outside
it had a hard shell
dry skin and
its eyes opened wide.

He was just sitting there
doing nothing
just sleeping and eating
but I really didn’t care.

Night came and it was still there
I just wanted it to leave
but he was too fat to walk
so I had to push him outside

I finally pushed it out almost
it was hard work
but it was worth a try
to get that tortoise out of my life.


Untitled
Group Poets: Jose P., Oscar P., Victor B.

The snake is camouflaging
scared to be eaten

Or hunting for food almost in total stillness
mice, rats, or spiders

Blending its scales with the earth
moving his tail to catch the prey.


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Group Poets: Yessenia F., Jocelyn M., Diana G., Alexis V. and Bianca C.

I found a panda
in the middle of China.
The cub’s fur reminded
me of a small Dalmatian.
The cub reminded me of
a small dog that has come
out of the tub.
The fur soft like a dog’s fur.

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Room 206

Bats in the Trees
Group Poets: Anthony R., Gerardo C. and Rodolfo L.

These bats look like rats
that look like leaves
falling off a tree
that go with the breeze. They look like
butterflies all in the same tree.


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Esteban S., Lisbeth M., Melissa B.

Quieter than a mouse
Small narrow eyes
Vampire-like fangs
Ears that can listen miles away
Scary-looking creature
Deadlier than its looks
South Africa is where it’s found, about 5 pounds?
Eats like a man-eating carnivore
Looks like rat mixed with bear.
Little in size, big on threat
A ferocious Honey Badger.

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This Week's Spotlight:
Room 207

The Fishing Cat!
Group Poets: Jasmine M., Jeniece D., Miguel H., Monica A.

I didn’t know cats liked water,
but the fishing cat does.
Stalking through the clear
ponds with its gold eyes, watching
its reflection until a fish comes in
sight. Not making a sound, it creeps
up to the water, with its razor
sharp claws, it captures a fish and
chews it with its sharp white teeth.


Goat Poetry
The Goat
Group Poets: Xylina D., Ruben G., Maria A. and Jesus C.

A goat is as soft as cotton
white as a cauliflower,
hiding from Mr. Diprima,
but he doesn’t realize how sharp
his horns are, for protection.
The goat doesn’t realize
he’s a mini cow.
He gives milk.
Again, he’s meat!


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Group Poets: Amanda A, Alyssa H., Karla M., Tom A. and Ciro F.

It’s Halloween night, the bats escape
coming out from trees like leaves.
Trying to find their next meal
looking down from the sky.
The rain begins to pour
and the bats are our umbrellas.
The bats are changing as part of a new season.


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Group Poets: Celia M., Karen S., and Michael O.

I saw a monkey at the zoo
The people told me his name was Lue
The monkey’s arm is catching flies
like a frog’s tongue in the sky
The way he swings from tree to tree
amazes me like a dream
Next time I will bring him
banana cream pie


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Group Poets: Dalila L., Maria R., Roberto S. and Erik R.

A plate of wobbly green jell-o.
The frog is transparent, but not much; like tape
Also like tape, he can stick to a tree
But he is not like tape: water can’t stop him
He has as many freckles as stars in the sky
He’s endangered, he’s losing patience, he’s
scared, “Is there a fly here? Can I eat it?
No! No! I will leave, fly into the trees.”


Honey Badgers
Group Poets: Tiffany R., Alejandra S, Lesly V. and Oscar E.

I saw a Honey Badger.
His teeth as white as snow
and sharp as a razor.
His face mad as could be.
His face full of blood!
Eating his snake.
Guarding his snake and getting full!
Why a Honey Badger?
Is he really as sweet as honey?
Am I next?!