Geobacter like a bit
of current for their tea.
These microbes stay alive by
eating ELECTRICITY.
Connected by their hair-like strands
these wired-up microbes grow
and form a film of circuit-slime
that makes a current flow.
Feeding on electrons
can you guess what they excrete?
Electrons in – electrons out.
It’s weird. But rather neat!
Image from Pixabay
Winter in Australia is varied that’s true blue,
From snowy mountain ranges to temps of thirty-two.
Winter begins when the month of June has arrived.
And the nights are usually cooler, no matter where you reside.
Winter nights make clearer air, so the stars twinkle brighter
While winter days are shorter and the sun appears calmer.
Winter is great for drinking hot chocolate that is steaming
And snuggling with blankets while reading and dreaming.
Winter is a time for jackets, socks and beanies to be worn,
And bonfires on the beach are a fun way to stay warm.
Image from Pixabay
THE JOURNEY OF A WORD
Choose a word and find out where it came from and what it means. Some words have changed their meaning; some have added new meanings as time has passed. Can you explain this word and its journey of uses and meanings in a poem?
The campfire’s burning merrily
as Frogmouth sings a melody.
Percussion’s played by Wallaby
and Devil howls the harmony.
Before they leave, they thought they might
sing lullabies to sky-star’s light.
Some soothing songs that feel just right
for wishing the world a fond “Goodnight”.
Artwork: NIGHTSOUNDS by Amanda W Johnson
Image created by ChatGPT on reading The Gollywumpa poem
Nonsense with nonce
Introduction: Nonce words are nonsense words created for a specific situation, often in children’s poetry. In Lewis Carroll’s poem Jabberwocky, he invented the nonce words chortle and galumph, which are now in current use as part of the language. Perhaps the most famous nonce word — runcible — was created by Edward Lear for his poem The Owl and the Pussycat. There is no such thing as a runcible spoon. Lear loved the word so much he wrote about runcible hats, runcible cats and a runcible wall.
Invite students to invent their own nonce words and use them in poems or stories. They could also draw what they think their Gollywumpa looks like.
The Gollywumpa by James Aitchison
Here it comes,
two heads and a nose,
how it got them
nobody knows.
Purple wings
grow out of one ear,
in the other a cabbage,
so how can it hear?
Its favourite song
is Bonglybooboo,
the words of which
it found in the zoo.
It doesn’t have feet,
it runs on three wheels,
and when it gets hungry
it dines on eel meals.
It hates the winter,
does the poor gollywumpa,
so it puts on five hats
and a thicketty jumper.
Underneath the Ficus
Lives Mr Wiggle worm
In the rich moist soil
He can wiggle and squirm.
Wiggle worm
Looked around
It was cool and cozy
Underground.
There was much
Work to do
Churning earth
To let air through.
Enriching soil
Whilst breaking down
Organic matter
In the ground.
Mixing nutrients
On his way
Enriching earth
With leaf decay.
Wiggle worm
Doesn’t have eyes
Can sense light and dark
With cells specialized.
He doesn’t have lungs
He doesn’t have legs
He doesn’t have teeth
But he can produce eggs.
Wiggle worm
Is long and thin
Needs to be moist
To breath through his skin.
He has five hearts
He has no ears
Birds, moles and beetles
Are amongst his fears.
Up to ten years
His lifespan can be
If he is housed
In captivity.
But in the wild
I’m sorry to say
It can be reduced
If he becomes prey.
Harsh weather can also
Effect his lifespan
If soil gets too cold
Which it often can.
Wiggle worm’s poop
Is like liquid gold
Full of nitrogen
Often mixed and sold.
He’s a natural recycler
And works very hard
Maintaining ecosystems
In his backyard.
Mr Wiggle Worm
Lives under my Ficus tree
He hides from all above
Trying to live and be free.
Image from Pixabay
Happy World Environment Day !!
The winter chill is here
I feel it on my ears
My hands like ice
Soft wool feels nice
My fleecy jacket keeps me toasty
My cheeks are growing rosy
I look like a pink teddy bear
I feel warm so I don’t care
Image created by Gemma Creegan
Australian Children’s Poetry 