If I Were In Charge

If I Were In Charge

Viorst, J. (1981). If I were in charge of the world and other worries: Poems for children and their parents. New York: Atheneum.

This book features many short poems. It's very similar to the books Shel Silverstein wrote, but written as a smaller version and the poems are not as nonsensical. These poems portray the thoughts young children have about the world and people around them. Almost every poem has either rhyme or rhythm to it. One can clearly see the images brought from the children's imaginations through the text and illustrations. These poems display children's mischievous behaviors. Her poems touch on common concerns and anxieties of children with great insight and humor. They cover a wide variety of topics; some are told from a girl's perspective, others from a boy's. They are easily understandable, but do not talk down to children and many have some fairly complex underlying themes. Overall, I thought this book was insightful and entertaining. I would definitely use it in my classroom. 

I would use this book in an older classroom third of fourth grade. I would choose one or two poems to read to the whole group and then pull small groups for mini lessons on parts of poetry, alliteration, punctuation, and word choice. There are many poems in this book that could serve as a writing prompt for students. I would also use the poem "If I Were in Charge of the World" at the beginning of the year as an introductory engagement to the classroom rules. I would then follow up with an exercise in creating the classroom rules with the students. 

Here are some potential activities!