Module 1

Module 1
The Poetry Environment

Classic Poem	Mother Goose Rhyme	Picture Book	Song Lyric	Folk Poem

Poetry Break #1

A Classic Poem

Introduction

Do you remember chasing shadows as a small child. I would always try to step on my sisters shadow before she got away. Take your students outside to chase and look at shadows before reading this poem.

My Shadow
by Robert Louis Stevenson

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow--
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For her sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepyhead,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

Stevenson, Robert Louis. 2000. "My shadow". In Poetry for young people: Robert Louis Stevenson, ed. Frances Schoomaker. Illus. by Lucy Corvino. New York:
Sterling. ISBN 08069562.

Extension

After reading the poem, allow the students to experiment with shadow puppets or draw silhouettes of their classmates using the overhead projector. This would also be a great tie-in with learning about Groundhog's Day.

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Poetry Break #2

Mother Goose Poem

Introduction

This traditional nursery rhyme lends itself to discussion about families. Talk about large families as you take a boot out of a bag. Recite this poem as you refer to the boot in front of the listeners.

There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

There was an old woman
Who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children
She didn't know what to do.
So she gave them some broth,
With plenty of bread.
She kissed them all sweetly
And put them to bed.

Long, Sylivia. 1999. "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe". In Sylvia Long's mother goose. San Francisco: Chronicle. ISBN 0811820882.

Extension
Invite students to share how many members are in their household. Create and post a graph or chart so that students can learn more about each other. Share other poems and books about families.

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Poetry Break #3

Picture Book Text

Introduction
I love to visit the zoo during the spring. Think about your favorite animals at the zoo. This fun, energetic story about a trip to the zoo will "bounce" you out of your seat.

Bouncing Time

How will you bounce today baby?
Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!
Will you bounce like a grashopper, cricket or frog,
Or a hoppity toad on his log in the bog?

Will you bounce like your clown,
Doing tricks on his mat?
Like your bouncy-bounce puppy,
Like your pouncy-pounce cat.

Come climb in your backpack,
We'll bounce to the zoo.
You'll peek from your pouch,
Like a young kangaroo.

We'll see tigers that tumble,
And jumping giraffes.
And a big bouncy lion,
Making everyone laugh.

Monkeys will somersault,
Pythons will flip.
Cuddly old panda,
Will hop, jump, and skip.

Hippo will bounce,
Elephant too.
Oh the whole zoo will bounce,
When they see bouncy you.

Then we'll wave a goodbye,
To the bouncity zoo.
We'll bounce our way home,
Bouncy me, bouncy you.

And after supper,
and bath are all through.
You'll bounce into bed,
And I'll bounce in too.

The stars and the moon will glitter and gleam,
As you dream of the wonderful thing you have seen.
Goodnight, bouncy one.

Hubbell, Particia. 2000. Bouncing time. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Singapore:HarperCollins. ISBN 0688173772

Extension: Allow students to discuss trips that they have taken to the zoo. Encourage play with words as they describe the animals and their movements and sounds. Each student could try and share a similar style verse using their favorite animals at the zoo.

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Poetry Break #4

Song Lyric

Introduction
Motivational songs are great when striving to complete a goal. Share a goal that was challenging but obtainable before reading the poem.

I Believe I Can Fly
by R. Kelly

I used to think that I could not go on,
And life was nothing but an awful song.
But now I know the meaning of true love,
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms.

If I can see it,
Then I can do it,
If I just believe it,
There's nothing to it.

1 - I believe I can fly,
I believe I can touch the sky.
I think about it every night and day,
Spread my wings and fly away.

I believe I can soar,
I see me running through that open door.
I believe I can fly,
I believe I can fly,
I believe I can fly.

See I was on the verge of breaking down,
Sometimes silence can seem so loud.
There are miracles in life I must achieve,
But first I know it starts inside of me.

Oh, if I can see it,
Then I can be it,
If I just believe it,
There's nothing to it.

Hey, cuz I believe in me,
Oh, if I can see it,
Then I can do it,
If I just believe it,
There's nothing to it.

Hey, if I just spread my wings.
I can fly, I can fly, I can fly, hey!
If I just spread my wings,
I can fly Fly-eye-eye.

R. Kelly Song Lyrics Source. I believe I can fly. Available from http://www.geocities.com/rkellylyrics/r_lyrics/i_believe_i_can_fly.html. [accessed on 09 June 2002].

Extension
This would be a great motivational song to use in high school career classes. Allow the students to share future goals and plans. Play this popular tune and sing along.

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Poetry Break #5

Folk Poem

Introduction
This old folk rhyme is one that will make students squirm. Recite this poem using various high and low pitch vocal tones. As a child I often felt like people didn't like me for one reason or another; however, after learning this chant- I felt like laughing... Recite the poem.

Nobody Loves Me
Author Unknown
Nobody loves me,
Everybody hates me,
I'm going out and eat some worms,
Long, skinny, slimy ones,
Big, fat, juicy ones,
Itsy, bitsy teeny ones.
See how they wiggle and squirm!
Yum, Yum!

Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. "Nobody loves me". In And the green grass grew all around: Folk poetry for everyone. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060227583

Extension
Students could share about a time when they felt this way. Take this opportunity to share other silly poems written by Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky or others.

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This site was last updated July 14, 2002.