CLARK — While studying the famous children’s novel, Maniac Magee, by author Jerry Spinelli, students in Olivia Gerlitz’s fifth grade class at the Valley Road School in Clark analyzed the dynamic main character, Jeffery, by looking at his personality traits. After analyzing two very different sides to Jeffery, students used their knowledge to creatively write a diamante poem. A diamante poem, which is shaped as a diamond, uses nouns, verbs adjectives and phrases to compare and contract two opposing characters or ideas. After writing and decorating their final copy, students proudly presented their poetry to the class. (Photo courtesy of Clark Public Schools)
