One book I wouldn’t be without is ‘Please Mrs. Butler’,
a collection of poems on the theme of school by Allan Ahlberg.
Children readily identify with the poems in this book
and each year, ‘Please Mrs. Butler’ quickly becomes
a class favourite.
When I reach for it to pick it up and read from it,
the class immediately look expectant and interested.
Often too, classes will ask me to read from it.
‘Please Mrs. Butler’ has contributed to
some of the best times I have ever spent in class.
As well as the title poem ‘Please Mrs. Butler’,
other favourites include:
* As I was coming to school Teacher
* Excuses
* When I was young
* Scissors
* Supply Teacher
* and Complaint.
Children enjoy the written work
that follows on from these poems.
Click here to see a class poem inspired
by Allan Ahlberg’s poem ‘Excuses’.
Scroll down this link from
Poetryline.org.uk and you will see
an abundance of videos which feature
Allan Alhberg reading and explaining his poetry.
The introduction he gives really add to
our understanding and enjoyment of his poems.
This videos are on Vimeo, which unlike YouTube
is not blocked in Irish schools