hi I'm Mrs Mask Today we're going to learn about something in Lancing that's really unusual The Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge Once we learn about this infamous bridge with a bad reputation I'm going to write an old to this structure An o is an ancient form of poetry where we give a shout out to something we love Os can be serious or cheerful When writing an ode use descriptive language to express your affection So how do you write an o first pick a subject This can be a person place or thing Now use your five senses: touch taste sight sound and smell to help you create a clear picture of your subject Now here's the fun part Use exciting words and big descriptions to show why it's amazing Before I write my o let's learn some facts about the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge It's a railroad bridge on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lancing Michigan It's made of iron and steel There's a 12ft clearance so some trucks are too tall to go under it safely They're flashing lights that draw attention to the clearance on the bridge It has eyes and teeth made of felt as decoration It takes off the tops of trucks and RVs that are just a little too tall to fit under it 78 trucks have been caught under it between 2004 and 2024 Now that we've learned a little bit about Penny the nickname often used for the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge let's write about it in a uniquely affectionate way with an O that we can share with others so they can learn the facts about this structure too ODS can be emotional and they can also be informative owed to Big Penny Oh Big Penny made of iron and steel On Pennsylvania Avenue you reveal a 12 foot clearance Just a bit too tight Yet trucks keep trying with all their might A hunger no truck can escape or outsmart You crush them all doing your part Beneath the arch warnings stand so clear Yet drivers come unfazed without a fear 25 trucks this year alone you've claimed And 78 says 2004 you've tamed They measure guess and think they'll make it through But you Big Penny know what they will do With every truck that dares to sneak by you stand tall while they get stuck and cry A scrape a crutch another feast today Another big rig stuck in the way Oh Big Penny the railroad bridge of fame The one that trucks fear but can't quite tame Truckers grumble as they pass your face The flashing lights can't save their haste Oh big penny legends grow with time Of your low clearance and hungers climb Truck drivers whisper tales of you at night The bridge that feast unseen just out of sight But it's not in malice your low strong form You've stood your ground through many a storm For years you've kept your rail intact while trucks keep testing and getting smacked So here's to you Big Penny our pride The bridge that eats trucks but lets trains glide You teach the truckers to think things through and keep the city safe with what you do If you didn't know anything about the Pennsylvania Bridge could this old teach you about it well let's look it over and see where we can find the facts Can you visualize Big Penny while I was reading the poem in your mind did you see the lights flashing to warn the trucks to turn around before it's too late what about the trucker thinking that they could make it through and then getting stuck the old was both entertaining and informative What a unique way to teach people about something new with a form of poetry Just remember that when you write an oath you should choose a subject use the five senses to create strong imagery and use descriptive language to describe your subject Now what subject will you choose for your old consider this style of writing next time you're asked to share your knowledge about a person place or something new or unusual Have fun and keep writing Thank you for joining us If you want more fun ways to practice literacy skills don't forget to subscribe to the Michigan Learning channel And be sure to check the description below for links to activity guides resources and more