LS 5663 Module 5: Performance Poetry

Joyful Noise

Fleischman, Paul. 1988. JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES. Ill. Eric Beddows. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 0-06-021853-3


Review:


JOYFUL NOISE is a collection of 14 poems meant to be read aloud by two people - sometimes reading simultaneously, sometimes speaking alone, and still at other times echoing each other. In an opening note, Fleischman gives readers instructions on the proper way to read his book.

The topic of Fleischman's Newbery Award-winning poems is, of all things, bugs. From the silly antics of the whirligig beetles to the poignant tale of the digger wasp lamenting the fact that she will never see her children. Using repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia, Fleischman created enjoyable characters for his poems. With its advanced vocabulary, JOYFUL NOISE can easily be used in higher grade levels.

Beautiful, and sometimes humorous, black and white drawings by illustrator Eric Beddows enhance each poem.



Highlighted Poem:


Water Striders


Whenever we're asked                            Whenever we're asked
if we walk upon water                             if we walk upon water
we answer                                             we answer
                                                           Of course.
To be sure.
                                                           It's quite true.


Whenever we're asked                            Whenever we're asked
if we walk on it often                              if we walk on it often
we answer                                             we answer
Quite often.
                                                           Each day.

All day through.
Should we be questioned                        Should we be questioned
on whether it's easy                              on whether it's easy
we answer                                            we answer
                                                          Quite easy.
A snap.
                                                          It's a cinch.
Should we be told                                 Should we be told
that it's surely a miracle                        that it's surely a miracle
we reply                                              we reply
Balderdash!                                 
                                                         Rubbish!
Nonsense!
Whenever we're asked                          Whenever we're asked
for instructions                                    for instructions
we always say                                     we always say
                                                         Come to the pond's edge
and do as we do.
                                                         Put down one foot
and then put down another,
                                                         resting upon the thin film
                                                         on the surface.
Believe me, there's no call
at all to be nervous
                                                        as long as you're reasonably
                                                        mindful that you - -
But by that time our student                 But by that time our student
no matter how prudent
has usually                                         has usually
                                                        don't ask me why
sunk from view.                                  sunk from view.



Possible Uses:

I love using this book, and this poem in particular, with struggling readers.

Teachers can use the poem "Water Striders" with struggling readers by having the student read the poem aloud with the teacher or another fluent reader. 

Teachers can used the advanced vocabulary to reinforce vocabulary skills.

In a writing exercise, teachers could have students write their own poem for two voices.