Writing Bop Poems to Explore Wonders and Problems

Reading and writing poetry is a wonderful way for students to better understand themselves and the world around them. This is why, when I taught middle school ELA, I always set aside some time on Friday afternoons for a POETRY CHALLENGE. During these challenges, I introduced a different poetry form and mentor poem. Then I invited students to "imitate" that form while exploring their own questions about themselves, the world, and their place in it. 

One of my favorite poetry collections to use for poetry challenges is Dictionary for a Better World, by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini.  Dictionary for a Better World includes 48 poems, arranged alphabetically by words that relate to creating a better world, such as acceptance, empathy, and upstander. Each poem models a specific poetic structure, like haiku, cinquain, and etheree. Along with the poem, each entry includes a quote from an inspiring person, a personal anecdote from the authors, and an invitation for the reader to "try it" and engage in a social-emotional activity related to the word.

While all of the poems in Dictionary for a Better World make great mentor texts, one poem in particular is well suited for introspection. The poem "Wonder" by Charles Waters is a crafted as a Bop. The Bop is a relatively young poetry form. It was created by Afaa Michael Weaver during a summer retreat of the African American poetry organization, Cave Canem. The Bop is organized into three stanzas, with a refrain after each stanza:

• The first stanza is six lines long and presents a problem. 
• The second stanza is eight lines long and explores the problem. 
• The last stanza is six lines long and presents a solution to the problem or explains the failed attempt to solve the problem. 

Charles kindly granted me permission to reprint "Wonder" here. Thanks, Charles! 

You can use the Bop form with students to explore their own wonders. Begin by sharing the following prompts with students: What are some problems/challenges you notice within yourself? In your community? In your world? What questions do you have about these problems? How might you try to solve them?

Once students have brainstormed some ideas, share this BOP TEMPLATE, so students can turn their ideas into their own Bop poems. Invite students to borrow Charles' refrain "These are some of the things I wonder about" or create their own. 

Happy Bopping, everyone! 

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About Michelle Schaub

Michelle Schaub is an award-winning children's poet. and teacher. She is the author of the picture book poetry collections Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees, Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market, and Finding Treasure: A Collection of Collections. She is also the author of the lyrical picture books A Place for Rain, Dream Big, Little Scientists and Kindness is a Kite String: The Uplifting Power of Empathy. Her poems appear in several anthologies, including  Great Morning! Poems for School Leaders to Read Aloud.  Michelle loves visiting schools and speaking at conferences on the power of poetry to boost literacy. Find out more at:  https://www.michelleschaub.com/.