After the Bell Rings: Poems About After-School Time

by Carol Diggory Shields

Fresh, funny, and full of verve and variety, this clever book of 22 illustrated poems about school captures what kids love to do when class lets out. 

“Finally….
     Finally….
        Finally….
     BRINNNNNG!
That wonderful bell begins to ring. “

Everyone knows that the best part of the school day is the moment it ends! After school, kids can hang out with their friends, play video games, attend music lessons, avoid chores, practice sports, do homework...well, maybe that last part isn't so great, but the rest is a blast!

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, School, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Back To School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Carol Diggory Shields was inspired to write Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp after "being called a Nagosaurus by my five-year-old," she admits. "I started playing with the idea of partying dinosaurs who were scientifically accurate (more or less), and somehow in the prehistoric ooze of my brain, Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp took shape." Her rocking prehistoric party proved a hit with both young readers and critics. "Witty and imaginative, the poem has a rhythm that makes cumbersome multisyllable dinosaur names roll off the tongue," said Kirkus Reviews.
Currently a children's librarian, Carol Diggory Shields has also worked with children as a recreational therapist and at one time was a designer of stuffed toys. Her years of being around children have no doubt helped her get a feel for the fun-but-factual stories that kids love, told in animated verse with an infectious beat. After successfully collaborating with illustrator Scott Nash on Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp, she teamed up with him for Martian Rock, "the true story of how a meteorite from Mars arrived on Earth," she quips.
More recently, the pair worked together again on The Bugliest Bug, a wacky tale of an insect talent contest threatened by hungry spiders (disguised as judges) and a brave little Damselfy who saves the day. "Insects are awesome!," the author enthuses. "Every human invention, from catapults to jet propulsion, had already been invented and used by bugs for millions of years. And that's why to be 'bugly' is the ultimate compliment."
The author of several books for children, Carol Diggory Shields lives in northern California.

Reviews

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Diggory Shields and illustrator Paul Meisel have teamed up again, giving readers 22 more illustrated poems - this time with an after-school them. The collection begins with two poems, both titled 2:48 - one from the students' point-of-view, the other from the teacher's. From these first pages, the lighthearted and an undeniably clever tone is set, continuing through the remaining 20 poems. From a boy who's busted for playing video games instead of doing homework, the chilly moments spent in front of an open refrigerator looking for a snack, and even the unique ways in which your dog versus cat will meet you at the door, Shield's poems offer both humor and wit. Reader's will have no problem identifying with the subjects after-school poems and the spot-on illustrations. I highly recommend this one, especially for the classroom and school library.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hook children’s interest in poetry with verse inspired by the “BRRRRRIIING!” of the school dismissal bell. Comical poems explore those anxiously awaited after school hours from homework pangs to after-school activities to video games. Diversity of race is represented in the cheerful gouache illustrations of children (and some fluffy friends) that bring words to life for each of the 22 poems. Abundant examples of rhyming text sing across the pages. AFTER THE BELL RINGS is a worthwhile addition to classroom poetry study, and may be used as a springboard for budding poets to create their own poems about what they do after the bell rings. Positive reviews from Kirkus and Booklist for this 2015 publication from award winning author Carol Diggory Shields. Grades 1-4.

[Brittany]

1. Read the title After the Bell Rings: Poems About After-School Time. Ask students: Yesterday we were looking at poems about a Farmer’s Market and the things you find there. How do you think this story will be like that one? How do you think this story will be different?
Reread the title. Ask students: What are some things you do after the bell rings? Turn and share one of your ideas with a partner. Teacher walks around the room, monitoring conversations. Ask several students to share their after-school activity with the group.
2. I chose two opening moves to use for this book- Ask children to make connections to a previously read text, Invite personal connections
3. I chose this book because it fit into the poetry genre. Students are always excited at the end of the school day, this is a topic that will engage them. I liked how the story had poems in different formats and points of view (ex: student at dismissal vs. teacher at dismissal, poetry in text format and language). These formats and topics will show students that you can write a poem about everything, even a small event that they may not consider to be worthy of a poem.

Pinnell, G.S., & Fountas, I.C. (2006). Engaging readers in thinking and talking about texts through interactive read aloud. Teaching for comprehending and fluency: Thinking, talking, and writing about reading, k-8. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Publishing.

[Kelsey Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and the use of poems. There was a lot of rhyming and figurative language that I think would be very beneficial for students to see incorporated into a book. This book is very relatable for students, and it discusses all kinds of things students do, "after the bell rings." Whether that is sports, homework, video games, napping, or snacking, students have a variety of ways they spend their time after school. This book looks into the kinds of feelings students have towards activities like homework, or if they are stressed because they have had a long week filled with school and extracurriculars. I can see myself using this book in my classroom as a read-aloud as an intro to a poetry unit, looking at the use of figurative language, and also using this book as a way to discuss a balance between school, and extracurriculars.

[Andria Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book full of poems about things that happen after school and a few about things that happen during school

I LOVE this book. The poems are adorable, the pictures are cute. The poems would be relatable to kids that are in school, from the first poem that talks about the last 2 minutes of the day taking forever, to the one that has the two students texting each other while sitting right next to each other. I highly recommend this book.

[Heidi Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that young readers would love! It talks about multiple different things kids like to do after school, and because of that, it is easily relatable. It shows gender neutral sleepovers, as well as cats and dogs getting along. This book breaks stereotypes and that is very important for kids to be exposed to at a young age. So many children are only taught to think one way and that is so not true.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used for my annual poetry scavenger hunt during my super awesome poetry unit.

[Britney Forbes]

As kids grow up it's no lie that one of the best parts of the school day is when the last bell rings and you get to go home! This book has over 20 different poems that are accompanied by beautiful illustrations. These poems are a fun way to learn about poetry and the way its written.

[Heather Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

"After the Bell Rings" is a poetry book for children who are between the ages of 5-7. The book is about how children wait for that special time of he day which is when the bell rings after school. The poems tell what different kids do after school nut don't every say you are bored or your parents will make you do things like mow the yard. I really like how there were about 22 different stories in one book about what kids do after school. You really get a variety of stories. I also enjoyed how the stories were written different for example one poem was written by text messages getting carried by flies between two different children. I would use this book in my class to let all the children see how people spend their days. Maybe they can connect to one. I also found is assuming how kids did want to every say they were bored after school because their parents will make them do chores. If you are looking for a laugh I suggest reading this poem book.

[Vanessa Olivares · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children is about children's experience with school. The first poems are about waiting for the bell to ring and school ending. The next are what happens after school. We know the feeling of spending all day in school and the excitement we get when the bell rings and schools over. This books shows you different things kids do after school. Each page with a poem about the illustration and whats taking place. There are 22 poems and illustrations in this books with bright colors and activities/responsibilities taking place. Its an informational book for young readers in a sense because it shows your that you have responsibilities and then you can have your fun.
The illustrations are to me what seems to be pencil drawn but painted over and filled with color. Smart and cheeky poems of the life of a school kid and vibrant illustrations combined with a humorous side that kids or young readers can relate to. Great read!

[Topanga · Rating 2 out of 5]

In these poems they focused on school. They were relatable for children because kids go to school and have the same experiences. One of the poems we read talked about the child's schedule and what they needed to do and how much they had planned throughout the week.

The plots are all different in this book since it is a collection of poems. They do not all rhyme but they do have a theme related to school. They are all simple and easy to understand.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book composed of different types of poetry that covers a wide range of back to school topics. This book has poems ranging from homework, to early bedtimes, to silly incidents that happen at school. This book could be used to model the different types of poetry and would be a great back to school read aloud for the students as well.

[Josh Williams]

this is a poem book. It is poem that talk about the different thing that kids do when they get out of school. It also had some pomes about what kids do when they are in school too. this book could teach kids about friendship, and also how every kid is different. the pictures in this book are done with water colors.

[Mrs. Fornero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially like the idea that the poems revolve around the real lives of children once they leave school! The poems are modern and fun and enjoyable book to keep kids reading long after they leave school!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book collection of rhyming poetry that focuses on life after the school day ends. Most of the poems are predictable, but they are playfully entertaining. I especially appreciated the poem in two voices in the beginning; one in a student's voice and the other in the teacher's voice.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, fun way to interest children in poetry! I read it to a class for March is Reading Month. They loved it!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great collection of poems by Carol Diggory Shields! This one features after-school activities like homework, car pools, and texting.

[Darlene Ivy]

collection of poems about life after school from homework, snacks, music practice and down time.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun playful collection