During a trip to the hardware store earlier this week, I found myself standing in front of a rainbow of paint chips. They reminded me of my friend Margaret Simon’s recent post about the poems she and her class wrote using paint chips. The shades of blues were irresistible to me. Without reading the names, I selected a handful of cards.
Later, I sorted the chips into categories. Soon I had a list of weather words, ocean words, and a few miscellaneous words. Margaret wrote unrelated words on the back of the paint chips she prepared for her students. I added words that the color names brought to mind and came up with this draft. The color names are italicized.
celestial light dapples
iridescent opal waters
rippled by sea winds
blowing in from
distant shores
This was so much fun I may go back to the hardware store today for more paint chips! I can’t wait to introduce paint chip poetry to students.
Please be sure to visit Heidi Mordhorst at My Juicy Little Universe for the Poetry Friday Roundup. Also, thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Melanie, and Lanny for creating this community and providing this space for teachers and others to share their stories every day in March and each Tuesday throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
Paint chip poetry. What a great idea. I can’t wait to try it. I learn so much from reading these slices. Thank you.
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Catherine, this was time well spent! You just painted a moment with these beautiful words. Thank you! xo
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So fascinated by poems and poets during our slice month. I’ve learned so much. Thanks for expanding on the paint chip idea. I have both stored away now to try with students.
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I’m intrigued by the invitation into poetry and impressed by your poem. I think I’ll try this w/ my AP Lit class.
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I love this! You give me good ideas. Stay tuned.
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Paint chip poetry – compliments of two of my favorite poetic friends. I may have to stop by the paint store soon. Your shades of blue poem makes me swoon with delight.
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Painting an image with paint chip colors! Love these color names. I think I need to make a stop today for more paint chips. I can throw them into the mix for ekphrasis.
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Catherine, now I know what to do with the bagful of paint chips I collected for my downstairs’ family room repainting project. I am definitely sharing this activity and your poem with teachers I work with. Your poem takes me right to my favorite place, the beach.
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What an effervescent poem your’ve penned Catherine, it goes so well with the image too, thanks!
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Wonderful wordsmithing. I’m curious about paint chip poetry and will be interested to hear more about the work your students will do.
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Sounds like so much fun! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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so much bluuuuuuuuue–you should see our recently completed bathroom with its “Capri” walls! You know I love this paint chip idea….
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What a marvelous idea! I can’t wait to share this with my colleagues! Thank you!!!
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Your poem is gorgeous, Catherine! I’ve always been fascinated by paint names and their emotional/marketing appeal–I mean how could I resist combining Cherry Cobbler and Vanilla Custard in my kitchen? On the other hand, my daughter and I could never figure out why anyone would want to paint their walls “Boiled Shrimp”. Eww! I can’t wait to share this idea with my students when we launch into writing poetry. Thanks!
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What fun! I’m glad you indicated the color words. I love reading the paint chips just to see what color names are on them I wonder how you get the job of creating those names? Wouldn’t that be fun?
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Great idea for getting kids to think about poetry and what they can “see” in it…thanks for sharing!
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