Welcome to our poetry blog. Year 6/7 have been learning about poetry this term with the help of Jack and two wonderful books called Love That Dog and Hate That Cat.

Love That Dog is the story of Jack, his dog, his teacher, and words. The story develops through Jack’s journal responses to his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, over the course of a school year. At first, his responses are short and cranky: “I don’t want to” and “I tried. Can’t do it. Brain’s empty.” But as his teacher feeds him inspiration, Jack finds that he has a lot to say and he finds ways to say it. Jack becomes especially fond of a poem by Walter Dean Myers titled "Love That Boy," and it is this poem that gives Jack a way to tell the story of his beloved dog, Sky.

Jack's story continues in Hate That Cat.  It is a new school year, and Jack learns that his previous year's teacher has moved up a grade along with him. Miss Stretchberry introduces Jack and his classmates to poems that intrigue and entice, allowing Jack to talk about things that are on his mind: mean cats, sound, silence, worry and joy. You don't really think Miss Stretchberry is going to let Jack hate a cat, do you? Hmm.


We have followed Jack on his journey and have begun journeys of our own. We would like to share some of our poetry with you on this blog.