Writing

It can be difficult to get your school-aged child to practice writing at home, because it may seem like a chore to her or appear irrelevant if it isn't assigned by her teach.  Thus, a fun way to practice writing skills for children is to write poetry.  This allows them to be creative and offers a snappy way to practice writing skills as poems are typically on the shorter side.  Encourage your child to write poetry, and she can practice printing, grammar, spelling, organization, vocabulary usage, etc.

It can be hard to get started.  So, I recommend reading some simple poetry and using that to inspire her.  The first type of poetry that children are exposed to is typically nursery rhymes.  Try re-visiting nursery rhymes with your child, and ask her to re-write the poem in a different way.  By referring to another poem, it will provide her with a good framework for writing.

For example, I quickly took the nursery rhyme "London Bridge" and made it Pittsburgh themed.  See below:

Smithfield Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Smithfield Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Patch it up with paste and glue,
Paste and glue, paste and glue.
Patch it up with paste and glue,
My fair lady.

Paste and glue will melt away,
Melt away, melt away.
Paste and glue will melt away,
My fair lady.

Patch it up with sticks and stones,
Sticks and stones, sticks and stones,
Patch it up with sticks and stones,
My fair lady.

Sticks and stones will wash away,
Wash away, wash away.
Sticks and stones will wash away,
My fair lady.

Patch it up with needle and thread.
Needle and thread, needle and thread.
Patch it up with needle and thread,
My fair lady.

Needle and thread will wear away,
Wear away, wear away.
Needle and thread will wear away,
My fair lady.

Patch it up with brass and bronze,
Brass and bronze, brass and bronze.
Patch it up with brass and bronze,
My fair lady.

Brass and bronze will be stolen away,
Stolen away, stolen away.
Brass and bronze will be stone away,
My fair lady.

Send a team to watch all night,
Watch all night, watch all night,
Send a team to watch all night,
My fair lady.

Suppose the team should fall asleep,
Fall asleep, fall asleep.
Suppose the team should fall asleep?
My fair lady.

Give them a TV to watch all night,
Watch all night, watch all night.
Give them a TV to watch all night,
My fair lady.

Tip: Using special paper or writing instruments can also encourage children to write.

"Green Eggs and Ham" Re-imagined

"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite contemporary picture books.  I just can't get it out of my head...which is why I re-imagined it in a Pittsburgh setting, with pierogies replacing the green eggs and ham.  Read this out loud to your child, because reading stories and hearing rhymes are helpful for children because it helps promote early literacy and attention.  Or, have your child read this to you to practice reading skills, articulation, stuttering strategies, voice strategies, etc.  I would love to add some pictures to this when I have more time.

Image retrieved from http://www.roadtripsrus.com/2013/10/09/pedaling-pierogies-national-pierogi-day/.

I am Suzy Zees.

I am Suzy Zees.

Suzy Zees – that’s me.

That Suzy Zees

That Suzy Zees!

I do not like

that Suzy Zees!

Do you like

pierogies?

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

I do not like

pierogies.

Would you like them

outside or in?

I would not like them

outside or in.

I would not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like

pierogies.

I do not like them,

Suzy Zees.

Would you like them

in Station Square?

Would you like them

with a bear?

I do not like them

in Station Square.

I do not like them

with a bear.

I do not like them

outside or in.

I do not like them

for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like peirogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you eat them

in Schenley Park?

Would you eat them

with a shark?

Not in Schenley Park

Not with a shark.

Not in Station Square.

Not with a bear.

I would not eat them outside or in.

I would not eat them for breakfast, lunch, or din-din.

I would not eat pierogies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Would you? Could you?

On a cruise?

Taste them! Taste them!

You can’t lose!

I would not ,

could not,

on a cruise.

You may enjoy them.

You will see.

You may like them

on the T?

I would not, could not on the T.

Not on a cruise! You leave me be.

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I do not like them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like piergoies.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

A run! A run!

A run! A run!

Could you, would you

while on a run?

Not on a run! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! Suzy! Leave me be!

I would not, could not, in Schenley Park.

I could not, would not, with a shark.

I will not eat them with a bear.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I will not eat them for breakfast, lunch or din-din.

I do not like them, Suzy Zees.

Hey!

In the river?

Here in the river?

Would you, could you, in the river?

I would not, could not,

in the river.

Would you, could you,

in the sun?

I would not, could not, in the sun.

Not in the river.  Not on a run,

Not in on a cruise.  Not on the T.

I do not like them, Suzy, you see.

Not in Station Square.  Not in Schenley Park.

Not with a bear.  Not with a shark.

I will not eat them outside or in.

I do not like them for breakfast, lunch or din-din!

You do not like

pierogies?

I do not

like them,

Suzy Zees.

Could you, would you,

with a feline?

I would not,

could not.

with a feline!

Would you, could you,

on the incline?

I could not, would not, on the incline.

I will not, will not, with a feline

I will not eat them in the sun.

I will not eat them on a run.

Not in the river! Not on the T!

Not on a cruise! You leave me be!

I do not like them in Schenley Park.

I do not like them with a shark.

I will not eat them in Station Square.

I do not like them with a bear.

I do not like them outside or in.

I do not like them for BREAKFAST, LUNCH or DIN-DIN!

I do not like

pierogies!

I do not like them,

Suzy-Zees.

You do not like them.

SO you yell.

Taste them! Taste them!

And you may tell.

Taste them and you may tell I yell.

Suzy!

If you will let me go,

I will taste them.

You will know.

Hey!

I like pierogies!

I do!! I like them, Suzy Zees!

And I would eat them on the incline!

And I would eat them with a feline.

And I will eat them in the sun.

And in the river.  And on a run.

And on a cruise.  And on the T.

They are so yummy, so yummy you see!

So I will eat them in Schenley Park.

And I will eat them with a shark.

And I will eat them in Station Square.

And I will eat them with a bear.

And I will eat them outside and in.

Hey! I will eat them for breakfast, lunch and din-din!

I do so enjoy

pierogies!

Thank you!

Thank you,

Suzy Zees!

It's snowing, it's storming: An Ode to Pittsburgh Winters

The nursery rhyme "It's raining, it's pouring" is thought to have originated in England as an ode to the country's rainy weather.  Here is a variation I wrote as an ode to Pittsburgh's recent snowy weather this winter.  I recommend singing it to the same tune.  Nursery rhymes are especially helpful for children because they build awareness of sounds and language, promote pre-literacy skills, and encourage social interaction.

It's snowing, it's storming,
Jack Frost gave us a warning:
Turn up the heat, wear socks on your feet,
Or you'll be cold in the morning!

A Pittsburgh Valentine Nursery Rhyme

Here is another nursery rhyme I wrote dedicated to Pittsburgh; this one has a simple Valentine's theme inspired by Pittsburgh's love for sports.  Nursery rhymes are especially helpful for children because they build awareness of sounds and language, promote pre-literacy skills, and encourage social interaction.

We love the Steelers,
We cheer them on to play,
We love the Steelers,
Hey-hey hey!

We love the Tartans,
We wish for them to win,
We love the Tartans,
Grin-grin-grin!

We love the Penguins,
We rally at the rink,
We love the Penguins,
Wink-wink-wink!

We love the Panthers,
We hope for them to score,
We love the Panthers,
Roar-roar-roar!

We love the Dukes,
We like how they compete,
We love the Dukes,
Tweet-tweet-tweet!

We love the Pirates,
We root for the home team,
We love the Pirates,
Dream-dream-dream!

Another Pittsburgh Nursery Rhyme

Here is another nursery rhyme I wrote dedicated to Pittsburgh.  Nursery rhymes are especially helpful for children because they build awareness of sounds and language, promote pre-literacy skills, and encourage social interaction.

Let's leave Pittsburgh,
Let's leave for a day,
Let's see what's to see, far, far, away!

Not for all of Carnegie's steel.
Not for a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse meal.

Not for all the chocolate at Sarris.
Not for all the strength of Franco Harris.

Not even for the rivers three.
Not for all the sandwiches at Primanti.

Not for all the fries at the O.
Not for all the music at the CLO.

Not for all of Mellon's wealth.
Not for all of UPMC's health.

Not for all the flowers at Phipps.
Not for a year of free PAT trips.

Not for all the trains at Station Square.
Not for all the Pirates' fanfare.

Not for all of PPG's glass.
Not for all of Walnut Street's class.

Not for one Schenley Park tree.
Not even for one book from Carnegie Library.

Not for one Cathedral of Learning room.
Not for one bridge on which the cars zoom.

Not for the hills to the north, south, east and west.
Not for the knowledge of Pitt that's the best.

In Pittsburgh we live,
In Pittsburgh we'll stay.
We'll stay even year, every month, every day.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Pittsburgh Style

The following is a modification of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I wrote, to be focused on Pittsburgh.  Songs can be helpful for the pediatric population to increase socialization.

On the first day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

8 Pirates winning

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

9 doctors helping

8 Pirates winning

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

10 professors teaching

9 doctors helping

8 Pirates winning

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

11 boats a-floating

10 professors teaching

9 doctors helping

8 Pirates winning

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas

Pittsburgh gave to me:

12 Heinz pickles

11 boats a-floating

10 professors teaching

9 doctors helping

8 Pirates winning

7 Penguins skating

6 bankers banking

5 O hot dogs

4 Primanti sandwiches

3 rivers flowing

2 terrible towels

and a partridge in a pear tree.

A Pittsburgh nursery rhyme

I wrote this Pittsburgh-themed nursery rhyme for Pittsburghers young and old.  Nursery rhymes are helpful for the pediatric population because they promote early literacy. 

10 little panthers escaped from Pittsburgh Zoo,

Went into the city, to them it was all new.

They ran up and down the streets and the mayor said,

“All you panthers, go back to bed!”

9 little panthers, roaming in the dark,

Went to play baseball, at PNC Park.

They tossed the ball ‘til the umpire yelled,

“Get off the field, or you’ll all be expelled!”

8 little panthers, took the Duquesne Incline,

Going to Mt. Washington, to check out the skyline.

They pushed and they shoved while trying to see,

The conductor “tsk-ed tsk-ed” and said “Woe is me!”

7 little panthers, went to shop on Walnut Street,

Thought they’d buy shoes, to wear upon their feet.

Their paws were all sticky, their claws were a mess,

The manager cried, “I’m in such distress!”

6 little panthers started across Smithfield Bridge,

They decided to be daredevils and walked along the ledge.

Wanting to show off, they all took a dive,

The policeman shouted, “You’re lucky to be alive!”

5 little panthers strode into the Carnegie Museum,

They heard that there were paintings, and wanted to go see ‘em.

But the panthers got tired, they slept and they snored,

The curator nudged them, but him they ignored.

4 little panthers went to the Benedum Center,

They paid their admission and were permitted to enter.

They sang and they danced, they swung from chandeliers,

Called the opera singer, “Let’s give them three cheers!”

3 little panthers, walked over to the O,

They wanted a snack they could eat on the go.

Gobbling hot dogs and French fries and pizzas and more,

The cook screamed, “Get out, or I’ll show you the door!”

Two little panthers found a classroom at Pitt,

They wanted to learn, so they stayed just a bit.

They studied, took notes, gave the professor a look,

He joked, “You’re so smart, get out your checkbook!”

One little panther, alone on the bus,

Missing his siblings, he started to fuss.

He bought a transfer, got onto the T,

He went back home, to his family.

His brothers and sisters, his parents, too,

Welcomed him home, back at the zoo.

The zookeeper smiled, then shook his head,

“All you panthers, go back to bed!”