Almost everyone settles down and gets to work right away. As they do when writing in other genres, kids quietly share ideas and help one another with spelling. My main purpose here is to encourage, support, and affirm each writer's efforts. After the sustained writing time, students are invited to share their poems. Because poems are usually fairly short, sharing time goes quickly.
All children get a chance to read aloud if they choose to do so.
Sometimes, students will stand at their desks and read their poems. Some days we pair up or read in self-selected, small groups. The purpose of the sharing is to celebrate students' efforts. I point out only what the writer has done well. Sharing the poem congratulates the writer, affirms the effort, serves as a possible model for other students, and encourages the writer to continue writing.