The Writers of the Round Table will not run a new edition on Thanksgiving Day - have a great holiday!
Sell your old home school supplies and curricula on Writers of the Round Table - only $1 for three lines! Send an e-mail to writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com for more information.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Poetry Pages: the Limerick
By Kate Marquam
Today in Poetry Pages, we will be discussing the Limerick. The Limerick is a very fun form of poetry, good for young and old alike. It's simplicity and humorous tone sets it apart from other forms, which is why it has lasted so long. It's thought to have originated in the middle ages! In this column, I will go over the basics of this form and give some tips on writing your own Limericks.
The Limerick is a very short form of poetry- only five lines long! Easy, right? Not so much. It has to have a rhyme scheme of aabba, along with a defined syllable count. Confused? Here's an example of a Limerick, written by me.
“There once was a small fly named Flea
Who often said “Oh dear, oh me!
I sigh all day long
'Cause my name is all wrong
Fly is not a name for a flea!”
Limericks are usually humorous and witty, telling a short, funny story about your chosen character. It often begins” There once was a…” or with something similar. Limericks always have a smooth flow. This is where the syllable count comes in. The syllable count tends to vary, but the top two lines and the bottom line always have the same syllable count (as well as the same rhyme). The middle two lines also have their own syllable count and rhyme, but are shorter than the other lines. This makes it flow smoothly with a certain rhythm to it. In fact, there is often a certain type of meter used, but many people choose not to. Mine above had no intentional meter. Now, for a better example with meter, by Langford Reed.
“There was a young man of Herne Bay,
Who was making explosives one day;
He dropped his cigar
In the gunpowder jar.
There WAS a young man of Herne Bay.”
I hope I have left everyone with a better understanding of the Limerick form. It is lots is fun to write, I sincerely hope you give it a try. Happy penning!
Today in Poetry Pages, we will be discussing the Limerick. The Limerick is a very fun form of poetry, good for young and old alike. It's simplicity and humorous tone sets it apart from other forms, which is why it has lasted so long. It's thought to have originated in the middle ages! In this column, I will go over the basics of this form and give some tips on writing your own Limericks.
The Limerick is a very short form of poetry- only five lines long! Easy, right? Not so much. It has to have a rhyme scheme of aabba, along with a defined syllable count. Confused? Here's an example of a Limerick, written by me.
“There once was a small fly named Flea
Who often said “Oh dear, oh me!
I sigh all day long
'Cause my name is all wrong
Fly is not a name for a flea!”
Limericks are usually humorous and witty, telling a short, funny story about your chosen character. It often begins” There once was a…” or with something similar. Limericks always have a smooth flow. This is where the syllable count comes in. The syllable count tends to vary, but the top two lines and the bottom line always have the same syllable count (as well as the same rhyme). The middle two lines also have their own syllable count and rhyme, but are shorter than the other lines. This makes it flow smoothly with a certain rhythm to it. In fact, there is often a certain type of meter used, but many people choose not to. Mine above had no intentional meter. Now, for a better example with meter, by Langford Reed.
“There was a young man of Herne Bay,
Who was making explosives one day;
He dropped his cigar
In the gunpowder jar.
There WAS a young man of Herne Bay.”
I hope I have left everyone with a better understanding of the Limerick form. It is lots is fun to write, I sincerely hope you give it a try. Happy penning!
Book review: "Fairest" by Gail Carson Levine
By Emma Lechner
This book is a really good fairytale. It's about a girl named Aza who lives with her adoptive parents, but wants to know who her birth parents are. She meets a gnome who makes a prophecy that says she will be in danger. She endures a duchess with a bad taste for clothes, is made fun of for being ugly, and even fought ogres.
Aza meets a handsome prince with whom she soon falls in love with. She becomes Queen Ivy's Lady-in-waiting. But Queen Ivy would do anything to be the fairest in the land, even imprison innocent people. Aza runs away from the queen when she becomes imprisoned. She takes shelter with the gnomes and lives with them for protection. I think this is a very enchanting and adventurous book, and I suggest you read it. I also suggest “Ella Enchanted, and “The two princesses of Bamarre” which are by the same author.
This book is a really good fairytale. It's about a girl named Aza who lives with her adoptive parents, but wants to know who her birth parents are. She meets a gnome who makes a prophecy that says she will be in danger. She endures a duchess with a bad taste for clothes, is made fun of for being ugly, and even fought ogres.
Aza meets a handsome prince with whom she soon falls in love with. She becomes Queen Ivy's Lady-in-waiting. But Queen Ivy would do anything to be the fairest in the land, even imprison innocent people. Aza runs away from the queen when she becomes imprisoned. She takes shelter with the gnomes and lives with them for protection. I think this is a very enchanting and adventurous book, and I suggest you read it. I also suggest “Ella Enchanted, and “The two princesses of Bamarre” which are by the same author.
Hurley Pet Antics
By Danielle Hurley
So here's how this article will work now; each week I will introduce at least one if not
two of the rest of my pets down below, and tell you about some of their antics. Of course, I will still
give Queen Cleopatra's and Shere Khan's stories of antics too.
He is an orange tabby who is a little fat and likes food. His antic this week is snoozing in the sink. I went to the bathroom to wash my hands, and instead of a white bowl, there was a big, round orange cat. When I looked closer I saw he had his eyes closed. There were faint snores escaping him. I debated if I should wake him gently, turn on the sink anyways (just a trickle), or just leave him be and go to the downstairs sink. Finally, I decided that turning the sink on would be mean, and waking him would be better but he still wouldn't be very happy. I would just wash my hands downstairs and let him snooze in the sink.
She is a very, very, hyper brown Pomeranian-Papillion. Her antic for this edition is “pick me, pick me, pick me!” If you walk into the kitchen (that's where she usually hangs out) she will start jumping up down up down on your legs. If she follows you upstairs, she will jump up down up down on the bed! It's so funny and cute! It's like the donkey from Shrek!
So here's how this article will work now; each week I will introduce at least one if not
two of the rest of my pets down below, and tell you about some of their antics. Of course, I will still
give Queen Cleopatra's and Shere Khan's stories of antics too.
Tiger: Snoozing in the Sink
He is an orange tabby who is a little fat and likes food. His antic this week is snoozing in the sink. I went to the bathroom to wash my hands, and instead of a white bowl, there was a big, round orange cat. When I looked closer I saw he had his eyes closed. There were faint snores escaping him. I debated if I should wake him gently, turn on the sink anyways (just a trickle), or just leave him be and go to the downstairs sink. Finally, I decided that turning the sink on would be mean, and waking him would be better but he still wouldn't be very happy. I would just wash my hands downstairs and let him snooze in the sink.
Sally: Pick Me, Pick Me, Pick Me!
She is a very, very, hyper brown Pomeranian-Papillion. Her antic for this edition is “pick me, pick me, pick me!” If you walk into the kitchen (that's where she usually hangs out) she will start jumping up down up down on your legs. If she follows you upstairs, she will jump up down up down on the bed! It's so funny and cute! It's like the donkey from Shrek!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Harper P. reports that her karate class had black belt promotions on Wednesday. Harper isn’t sure who passed, because she is a white belt and didn’t qualify.
HCHS Drama Club will be performing their play “Star Fever” on December 1st and 3rd, 4:00 at Westfield Library. See a cast member for tickets.
Cameron R. reports that he went on the Haunted Indiana tour with his youth group. He went all over Indiana looking at famous haunted places, his favorites were the 100 Steps Cemetery (http://www.strangeusa.com/Viewlocation.aspx?id=56841) and Willer Library (http://www.libraryghost.com/).
Kate M. reports that she won a virtual gold trophy this week for her poetry This is one of many poetry awards that Kate has won from
The first snowfall of the year was reported today by members of Writers of the Round Table. It was met with mixed feelings.www.allpoetry.com. She recommends this site to anyone who is interested in writing poetry.
HCHS Drama Club will be performing their play “Star Fever” on December 1st and 3rd, 4:00 at Westfield Library. See a cast member for tickets.
Cameron R. reports that he went on the Haunted Indiana tour with his youth group. He went all over Indiana looking at famous haunted places, his favorites were the 100 Steps Cemetery (http://www.strangeusa.com/Viewlocation.aspx?id=56841) and Willer Library (http://www.libraryghost.com/).
Kate M. reports that she won a virtual gold trophy this week for her poetry This is one of many poetry awards that Kate has won from
The first snowfall of the year was reported today by members of Writers of the Round Table. It was met with mixed feelings.www.allpoetry.com. She recommends this site to anyone who is interested in writing poetry.
Wild Cat Antics
By Danielle Hurley
This week I am not that fond of Shere Khan as you will see below. And I have some news for next week’s edition; I am going to change this article from Wild Cat Antics to the new name Hurley Pet Antics that will include the dogs and other non-wild cats in my family.
Shere Khan:On Saturday, as I walked in the door, Shere Khan came down the stairs. I went to pick him up and pet him a little. But he clawed his way up my face to the top of my head, and began digging his claws into my scalp and biting it! He continued this for a couple more painful seconds before jumping off. Then he walked around the place acting like everything was normal, "la de dah de dah". At the end there was no blood or anything just a few scratches, so I didn’t get injured much, it just felt painful. It hurt, it hurt, it really, really hurt!!!
Queen Cleopatra:Now she is a little thief! My dad told me this story, so I can’t take full credit. He was working on one of his computers and stuff, when Queen Cleopatra came right up to him. She picked up a computer part and slinked off with it. She apparently thought it was very pretty and shiny and would go well in her little collection of random stolen items! (And yes she does have some straws in that collection!).
This week I am not that fond of Shere Khan as you will see below. And I have some news for next week’s edition; I am going to change this article from Wild Cat Antics to the new name Hurley Pet Antics that will include the dogs and other non-wild cats in my family.
Shere Khan:On Saturday, as I walked in the door, Shere Khan came down the stairs. I went to pick him up and pet him a little. But he clawed his way up my face to the top of my head, and began digging his claws into my scalp and biting it! He continued this for a couple more painful seconds before jumping off. Then he walked around the place acting like everything was normal, "la de dah de dah". At the end there was no blood or anything just a few scratches, so I didn’t get injured much, it just felt painful. It hurt, it hurt, it really, really hurt!!!
Queen Cleopatra:Now she is a little thief! My dad told me this story, so I can’t take full credit. He was working on one of his computers and stuff, when Queen Cleopatra came right up to him. She picked up a computer part and slinked off with it. She apparently thought it was very pretty and shiny and would go well in her little collection of random stolen items! (And yes she does have some straws in that collection!).
Thursday, November 3, 2011
News of the Week 11-3-11
Halloween Party
On Monday, October 31st, the Hamilton County Homeschoolers had their annual Halloween party. There was lots of delicious food, and even more candy. "I remember lots of good costumes," says Emma L.
"We would like to congratulate Harper P. on her music mix," said Danielle H. Delaney K. said that she really liked the smoked sausage that was served.
Thanks to Tammy M. for organizing this event, and thanks to everyone who helped with set-up, clean-up, and everyone who brought food.
Writers of the Round Table now accepting outside submissions
If any students would like to submit stories, poems, or news items to be considered for publication, please send them to writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com.
Classified Ads
The Writers of the Round Table will begin selling classified ads. Ads for curricula and school supplies will cost $1 for three lines, and ads for non-school items will cost $2. Contact the publisher at writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com for more information.
On Monday, October 31st, the Hamilton County Homeschoolers had their annual Halloween party. There was lots of delicious food, and even more candy. "I remember lots of good costumes," says Emma L.
"We would like to congratulate Harper P. on her music mix," said Danielle H. Delaney K. said that she really liked the smoked sausage that was served.
Thanks to Tammy M. for organizing this event, and thanks to everyone who helped with set-up, clean-up, and everyone who brought food.
Writers of the Round Table now accepting outside submissions
If any students would like to submit stories, poems, or news items to be considered for publication, please send them to writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com.
Classified Ads
The Writers of the Round Table will begin selling classified ads. Ads for curricula and school supplies will cost $1 for three lines, and ads for non-school items will cost $2. Contact the publisher at writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com for more information.
Thanksgiving Submissions Wanted
The Writers of the Round Table are looking for stories, poems, drawings and photos relating to Thanksgiving for our November issues. Each week a selection of these submissions will be published on Writers of the Round Table. Send your items to writersoftheroundtable@gmail.com.
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