Yesterday was the first day of autumn and like many of you I waxed nostalgic with the sensual memories of fragrance and color.
But mostly, I remember walking in crunchy leaves, burning them in the driveway, raking and falling into the huge piles we confiscated not only from our own yard but from the neighbors’ as well.
An Example of Using Everyday Activities to Scaffold – Poetry
There is a poetry to autumn that many of us addicted to screen time have ceased to enjoy.
As we spend time this week, again thinking about grown-ups with autism, I offer three short poems.
How might you take each of these as a framework to scaffold the creation of original poetry.
An easy way is to use the ideas of Kenneth Koch and simply replace or embellish colors with feelings or a different rhyme.
Looking for something to do that is age-appropriate?
Try writing a poem.
“The goldenrod is yellow,
The corn is turning brown…
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.”
“I am made for autumn. Summer and I have a fickle relationship,
but everything about autumn is perfect to me. Wooly jumpers,
Wellington boot, scarves, thin first, then thick, socks. The low
slanting light, the crisp mornings, the chill in my fingers, those last
warm sunny days before the rain and the wind. Her moody hues
and subdued palate punctuated every now and again by a brilliant
orange, scarlet or copper goodbye. She is my true love.”
AND, THANKS TO AYIVOR, AN RDI® MOMENT!
“Nothing comes as an accomplishment instantly. Success does not come overnight. Patience is the key! Grow up and be the tree; but remember it takes dry and wet seasons to become a fruit bearer, achiever and impact maker!”
― Israelmore Ayivor, Thoughts on Autumn
Thanks for sharing. Nature communicates but not with words and this is a wonderful environment for kids with challenges to learn to read what nature is saying and enjoy it. Here is an article on nature deficit order http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/teaching-values/4244-children-and-nature.gs?s_cid=eml_weekly_20140921