Each year, it is my tradition to read The Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888, Casey at the Bat, otherwise known as Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Lawrence Thayer during the first week of April to acknowledge opening day of baseball and National Poetry Month. (By the way, April is also National School Library month.) This year, I asked my students in grades 3 and up to attempt to write a diamante about baseball. A diamante is a seven line poem that is shaped like a diamond (how appropriate for our baseball theme!). The first and seventh line contain one word that contrast each other; the second and the sixth contain two words describing the line closest to them; the third and fifth contain action words and the fourth line contains four words, two describing line one and two describing line seven.
Little leaguer
Energetic, faster
Growing, playing, trying
Wanting fun. Wanting money.
Aging, resting, cheating
Tired, slower
Pro player
by Anthony D. 6A2
Yankees
Blue, white
Pitching, pitching, pitching
Fastball, curveball. Slowball, meatball.
Hitting, hitting, hitting
Blue, orange
Mets
by Elliot R. 3M
MLB player
Gritty, tough
Swinging, pitching, spitting
Nervous, determined. Watching, listening.
Cheering, eating, smiling
Proud, ecstatic
Fans
by Tierney N. 6A2
Win
Proud, thankful
Dancing, hugging, screaming
Loving, won it. Crying, lost it.
Standing, looking, crying
Disappointed, sorrowful
Loss
by Rachel J. 5G
Baseball
Fun, awesome
Batting, throwing, running
Mitts, bats. Flowers, shovels.
Weeding, planting, digging
Boring, tedious
Gardening
by Caleb D. 5G
Baseball
Pitching, batting
Running, winning, playing
Yankees, pinstripes. Nets, blue
Dribbling, scoring, yelling
Shooting, blocking
Basketball
by Kailey C. 3J
Infield
Sandy, diamond
Fielding, pitching, catching
Bases clean. Grassy, striped.
Diving, jumping, running
Green, big
Outfield
by Matt P, 5G
Opening Day
Fun and new
Exciting, beginning, relieving
New grass. Old grass.
Ending, thrilling, disappointing
Tense, concluding
World Series/ Game 7
by Gian Z, 6A2
Batting
Fun, think
Swinging, sliding, stealing
Bat/ batter. Bases/ glove.
Catching, throwing, pitching
Concentrate, observe
Fielding
by Logan R. 5G
Bat
Wooden, heavy
Swinging, hitting, waiting
Donut, gloves. Mitt, leather.
Catching, rolling, soaring,
Hard, seamed
Ball
by Tyler M. 3M
Baseball
Fast, hard
Watching, catching, yelling
Boys, tough. Girls tougher.
Hurting, pounding, playing
Fast, furious
Softball
by Haley R. 5G
Homer
Fast, high
Flying, soaring, exciting
Rocketing, up. Traveling, forward.
Disappointing, saddening, rolling
Failed bunt
Ground-out
by Zachary J. 6A2
Hot dog
Long, skinny
Eating, selling, tasting
Lengthy, tall. Flat, wide.
Fattening, disgusting, filling
Cheesy, meaty
Hamburger
by Brett C. 6A2
Yankees
White, blue
Practicing, pitching, running
A-rod, #13. Orange, blue.
Playing, batting, winning
Pitching, losing
Mets
by Nicole C. 3C
Yankees
Powerful, excellent
Scoring, winning, overpowering
Strong rivals. Fighting victory.
Stealing, dominating, entertaining
Records, eventful
Red Sox
by Jared F. 6A2
Running
Swift, thrilling
Breathing, pushing, concentrating
Quick, hard. Sandy, low.
Skidding, hoping, reaching
Painful, gritty
Sliding
by Lorrie B. 6A2
Baseball
Fast, serious
Running, jumping, hitting
Intense, fearless. Communication, teamwork.
Dribbling, shooting, running
Intense, fast
Basketball
by Robert D. 6A2
