I heart Alan Katz

Why didn't I think of doing this before? How long have I been teaching again? And I have never done this before? Really?

I decided this year that I would start each track time by having my students read a poem. I've worked a few classics into the rotation, but mostly have stayed with fun and funny poems that I thought my kids would like.

Enter Alan Katz. He's the author behind the Silly Dilly Song Books - hilarious and kid-like lyrics set to common tunes. Love them. I found his book of poetry - "Oops" - at my local library and typed up lots and lots of his poems. Love it. My class spent most of the fall reading his poetry, talking about how his titles are often a play on the poem's meanings, and how fun they are to read and enjoy. We even wrote Mr. Katz an email (which he hasn't responded to, dang) with our own class poem in response to one of his - it's included below. We're working our way through his Christmas Silly Dilly song book - "Where Did They Hide My Presents?" - right now. Love it.

My kids love reading the poems every day. They have started checking out volumes of poetry from the school library to read. (Alan Katz as well as other authors - we've read a wide variety of poets, despite our fascination and love with Alan Katz.) I've never had kids who liked reading poetry so much. I don't think that I've ever enjoyed reading poetry this much, either. I also have quite a few kids now convinced that to be a successful children's poet, one must be a middle-aged, slightly stocky and slightly balding man. Don't believe me? Look for pictures of Alan Katz, Shel Silverstien, Brod Baggert, and Jack Prelutsky. Convinced yet? This has some of my young female poetesses a little frightened...

So thanks, Alan Katz. Can you respond to our email please? Pretty please?

Um…

by Alan Katz


People with bubble gum…
chew some.

People with coffee grounds…
brew some.

People with tomatoes…
stew some.

People with baseballs…
threw some.

People with crayons…
drew some.

People with bad colds…
blew some.

People with gooey tissues…
gruesome.



Um…

by Miss Ferrin’s 5th Grade Class

People who are twins…
two some

People with cows…
moo some

People who are detectives…
clue some

People with dirty hair…
shampoo some

People who clean up after dogs…
doo-doo some

People with ghosts…
boo some

People with roosters…
cock-a-doodle-doo some

People with lawyers…
sue some

People with knowledge…
knew some

People who have toilets…
poo some

People in Miss Ferrin’s class are
coo’ some

And some that didn't make it into our final copy:

People who are Utes... U some
People who are Cougars... Blue some
People who read Leven Thumps... Foo some
People who play Pokemon... Picachu some
People who know rams... Gnu some
People who like Mountains... Dew some
People who have assignments... Due some
People who like condensation... Dew some
People who have to use the bathroom... Loo some
People with flies... Shoo some
People with sheep... Ewe some
People who stick... Glue some
People with Mr. T pity the Foo' some
People who live in Hundred Acre Wood Winnie the Pooh some



Visit Alan Katz's website!

My Dad

John Ralph Ferrin

1949-2009

Our beloved husband, father and friend, John Ralph Ferrin, passed away suddenly on December 2, 2009.

John was born in Salt Lake City on September 5, 1949, to Ralph Shaw and Shirlee Ann Bishop Ferrin. He grew up in Midvale, and would spend most his life there. He enjoyed playing sports and camping with his neighbors and the scout troop. He earned his Eagle Scout award. John graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1967, participating in the debate club. He served an honorable mission in the Australia South mission from 1968 – 1970. He spoke often and fondly of his mission days. The people he served, the companions he served with, and the places he served in were important contributions in his life as John became the person he was.

John graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1973. He was greatly involved in Institute and Sigma Gamma Chi. John returned to the U to earn a Master’s degree in history. The title of his thesis was “Historical Site Survey of Southeast Salt Lake County.”

John and Gail Lucille Kofford were married July 6, 1979, in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived briefly in Rose Park before buying a home in Midvale. They are the parents of Christine Anne and Holly Elizabeth.

John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite calling was Gospel Doctrine teacher. He was exceptionally passionate about the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. He inspired many students in his classes with his shared research and testimony.

He worked for Wheeler Machinery for 30 years. He enjoyed his time on the road, and interacting with his friends and customers. He served as union steward for many years. Many employees benefited from his dedication to his values and sense of fairness during contract negotiations.

John had many interests and loves throughout his life. John’s family was his greatest joy and most important thing in his life. He cherished every moment with them. John loved traveling. He took his family on many vacations. Alaska, Glacier National Park, the Oregon and California coasts, Prince Edward Island, Maine, and New York State were just a few of his favorite spots, as well as various places throughout Utah. He enjoyed vacation preparation almost as much as the travel itself, and his family benefitted from his knowledge about the places they visited. John was proud to be a Utah Ute. He and his family had season football tickets at the U for many years, and they enjoyed games together, during both good and long-suffering seasons. John had a variety of eclectic collections that he enjoyed adding to. Reading was a frequent pastime for John. He enjoyed any history era, but especially loved reading about World War II. Through his reading, he gained a wide and deep knowledge of a variety of topics. John realized the value of continuing one’s education, and was currently studying at TechSkills in preparation for his second career, medical coding and billing. John was a generous person. If he could help in any way, he was willing. He helped many family members and friends over the years. We are all better people because of our association with him.

John is survived by his wife, Gail, and his children, Christine Ferrin and Holly Ferrin; his brothers, Russell (Diane) Ferrin (Midvale), and David (Korinn) Ferrin (Phoenix). He is preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held Monday, December 7, 2009 at Midvale North Stake Center, 97 West 7500 South, Midvale, at 12:00. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.