Every year in May, our church homeschool group sponsors what we call “Arts Alive”, where our kids have an opportunity to do any kind of platform production their little hearts might desire to do. For instance, they can recite poetry, put on a play, sing a song, play an instrument, do a ballet dance, etc. They also have a chance to display any form of artwork or other creations they might like to show off.

Every year we try to participate, and every year I promise myself that NEXT year we’ll choose our platform events much earlier in the year and we’ll do a much better job of practicing. Well, as you might imagine, every year we are scrambling around in April trying to choose poetry for each child to recite.

Today was our poetry-selection day. I gathered the children around and I had four books on my lap from which to choose our poems. I thumbed through, made suggestions, and kept a list of possible choices. Finally I had a list, and then after everyone was dismissed, I looked up the poems online so I could copy the lyrics and print them out for us to learn. Curious about what we hope to learn? Here is the list: (subject to change without notice)

Laura: My Little Sister (and) Woodman, Spare That Tree!

Isaac: The Village Blacksmith (and) Ray Stevens’ song “Sunday Morning”

Luke: The Vulture (or The Yak) by Hillaire Belloc

Amelia: At the Seaside (and) There Once Was a Puffin

Miguel: Animal Crackers (and) The Frog

We only have about three weeks to learn all of our pieces and get them ready to perform. I’m sure we’ll get it done, but one thing I know for sure: next year I’m going to do this MUCH earlier!