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Poet Study |
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Poetry Break 1
Introduction
Sing this poem to the tune of Hush Little Baby.
Mother Ogre’s Lullaby
Hush baby ogre, stop raving and rest,
Slumber, sweet savage impossible pest.
Stifle your tantrum, no kicking, don’t bite.
Close your red eye… baby ogre, good-night.
Prelutksy, Jack. 1996. Monday’s Troll. Illus. Peter Sis. Greenwillow: New York. ISBN 0688143733.
Extension
Encourage students to draw a picture of the mother and baby ogre. Students can write another lullaby from an ogre’s perspective.
This is a great introduction for preparing students for a field trip to the museum. Have students discuss other things they might see at the museum.
The Museum
I went to the museum it was filled with things to see,
there were rocks and gems
and fossils
and a stuffed menagerie.
There were arrowheads and armor
and a mummy in a tomb,
I even saw a great blue whale
that took up one whole room.
I like my afternoon there,
but I would have liked it more
if only they had let me pet
just one small dinosaur.
Prelutsky, Jack. What I did last summer. Illus. Yossi Abolafia. Greenwillow: New York. ISBN 068801755X.
Extension
Allow students to make notes during the field trip, after the field trip encourage students to write a poem or a story about the museum trip.
Poetry Break 3
Introduction
This is a great poem for the celebration of Backward’s Day. Students can wear their shirt inside out or two different shoes. Make an overhead of this poem. Read this poem aloud to students.
I’m All Mixed Up
I’m AlL mIxED uP,
i”M aLI MiXed Up,
I dON’t KnoW what tO Do.
I dO Not think I’M me tODAy,
i WoNdeR iF I’M YoU.
mY voice is nOt My Voice Today,
it sOUnDS enTIrELY wrong,
and mANY ThOugHts iNsiDe mY hEaD
I’m CeRTaIN dON’T bELOng.
My eYes aRE nOT My eYES today,
mY nOse Is Not MY nOSE,
my shoes aRE UNfAmiliaR,
I dOn’t REcOgnIZE mY cLOTheS.
My EaRs ArE NoT My hAir,
I eVEN think i’M WeAriNg
someone elSe’S uNdERwEar.
No mATter wHAt i wriTE ToDAy,
IT COMes oUt LOOking sTraNge.
I HOpE ThaT i Can FIGurE out
a WaY TO make iT ChanGe.
I’M lOokinG cLOsELy at This pOEm,
bUT STilL dOn’T HAvE a Clue—
i’M ALL mixed Up,
I’M alL MIxED uP,
i Don’T KNOw What To dO.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1994. A Pizza the size of the sun. Illus. James Stevenson. Greenwillow: New York. ISBN 0688132359.
Extension
Students can select one of their favorite poems and write it in a mixed up fashion. Read other mixed up poems by Jack Prelutsky like I am your Mirror Image.
Poetry Break 4
Introduction
At the beginning of each year, I have the students begin a notebook of their favorite qualities about themselves. They have to come up with at least 100 positive sentences like I have beautiful eyes or I am the best soccer player on the team. Read this poem before starting the list of 100 Positive Qualities about Myself .
I’m the Single Most Wonderful Person I Know
I’m the single most wonderful person I k now,
I’m witty, I’m charming, I’m smart,
I’m often so brilliant I actually glow,
I’m a genius in music and art.
I’m super, I’m splendid, I’m stunning, I’m strong,
I’m awesome, I’m dashing, I’m bold,
I know all the answers, it’s rare that I’m wrong,
I’m an absolute joy to behold.
I’m strikingly handsome, I’m thoroughly grand,
there’s only one thing that I can’t understand_--
why nobody likes me… not ever!
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New kid on the block. Greenwillow: New York. ISBN 0688022723.
Extension
Have students share some of their qualities aloud if they want to volunteer. Student can also add poems that relate to their personality traits. At the end of the year, have a celebration for each of the students and allow them to share their traits. This activity helps students see themselves in a positive way.
Poetry Break 5
Introduction
Read this poem aloud. Students will recite the bold words as the teacher reads aloud. Remind students to start soft and grow louder as the poem continues.
Louder that a Clap of Thunder
Louder than a clap of thunder,
louder than an eagle screams,
louder than a dragon blunders,
or a dozen football teams,
louder than a four-alamer,
or a rushing waterfall,
louder than a knight in armor
jumping from a ten-foot wall.
Louder than an earthquake rumbles,
louder than a tidal wave,
louder than an ogre grumbles
as he stumbles through his cave,
louder than stampeding cattle,
louder than a cannon roars,
louder than a giant’s rattle,
that’s how loud my father snores!
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New kid on the block. Greenwillow: New York. ISBN 0688022723.
Extension
Allow the students to act out this story in small groups. Discuss how students can use their bodies to demonstrate the actions in this poem.