Hanna Geiger

Poetry File
10/21/13
Science:
My Shadow 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 he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that theres none of him at all.

He hasnt 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, hes a coward you can see;
Id think shame to stick to nursie as that shoadow 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.

Source: Martin, B. Jr. (2008). The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry pg. 106
Why: When I found this poem it made me think of Peter Pan and how he had to find his shadow. I like
the poems description about shadows and I think kids can easily relate to what the author is
experiencing in trying to explain the different types of shadows you can have.
How and Who: I would use this poem as an introduction to a 4
th
grade science unit on the sun and how
the sun creates shadows. I would read the poem aloud to the class, and throughout the week we would
have science at various times during the day to trace our shadows. This will allow students to see how
shadows change throughout the day based on the location of the sun. Students could also try and
determine what time of day the speaker in the poem is seeing each shadow described based on their
own observations during class.












Language Arts:
Poseidons Hair Calef Brown

Poseidons head was nearly bald,
much to his dismay.
He picked some kelp,
and with some help,
he made his own toupee.
Although it smells of oyster shells
and often floats away,
old Poseidon loves his hair
he wears it every day.

Source: Brown, C. (2006) Flamingos on the Roof
Why: I chose this poem because I have never been fond of mythology, however this poem pokes some
fun at it and makes it interesting to learn about. I think students could relate to this poem and see that
mythology can be fun and doesnt have to be serious all the time.
How & Who: I would use this poem for 6
th
graders as an intro to learning about the Greek Gods and
Goddesses. It is a non-threatening way to get kids excited about mythology. Students could then write
their own poem describing their favorite Greek God or Goddess, modeled after Poseidons Hair.




























Math:
Money Poem Author Unknown

Penny, penny,
Easily spent.
Copper brown
and worth one cent.

Nickel, nickel,
Thick and fat.
You're worth five cents,
I know that.

Dime, dime,
Little and thin.
I remember,
you're worth ten.

Quarter, quarter,
big and bold.
You're worth twenty-five
I am told.

Source: http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems70.html
Why: I included this poem because I learned it during my practicum in a Kindergarten room last spring.
The teacher included this poem as a part of Calendar and the students seemed to really enjoy it. It is a
fun and quick way to teach students the value of each coin.
How & Who: I would use this poem in a Kindergarten or 1
st
grade classroom either as a part of
Calendar, as my practicum teacher did, or as an intro activity during each day of a money unit. With
the money unit, each student would have a baggie that contains plastic coins. During each section of the
poem, students would get out that coin to make the connection of the value of the coin to the
description of it.
















Social Studies:
Madam and Her Madam by Langston Hughes

I worked for a woman,
She wasnt mean
But she had a twelve-room
House to clean.

Had to get breakfast,
Dinner, and supper, too
Then take care of her children
When I got through.

Wash, iron, and scrub,
Walk the dog around
It was too much,
Nearly broke me down.

I said, Madam,
Can it be
You trying to make a
Pack-horse out of me?

She opened her mouth.
She cried, Oh, no!
You know, Alberta,
I love you so!

I said, Madam,
That may be true
But Ill be dogged
If I love you!

Source: Rosen, M. (1985). The Kingfisher Book of Childrens Poetry pg. 100
Why: I chose this poem because I like the simplicity of it, yet it holds a lot of meaning and interpretation.
The language is used in such a way that even younger students can begin to understand what it might
have been like to be a slave woman.
How & Who: I would use this poem with 5
th
or 6
th
graders on a lesson about slaves who worked in the
homes of Whites. This poem would be used as a read aloud to help students understand the feelings
that the slaves had towards their boss. A discussion would follow to help students synthesize the
information.







Art/Music:
Combo Tango by Calef Brown

Dance lesson number one:
The Combination Tango.
Listen to the lingo.
This is how the steps go:

Boogie to the banjo.
Bop to the bongo.
Freeze like an igloo.
Stomp like a buffalo.
Drop like a yo-yo.
Swing like a golf pro.
Flip like a hairdo.
Tumble like a domino.
Swivel on your kneecap.
Wobble like a mud flap.
Take a little catnap.
Do it all again!

Source: Brown, C. (2006). Flamingos on the Roof
Why: I really like this poem because it has a lot going on with the dance moves and introduces some
new instruments. It also contains some similes that would help students know how to do a certain move
(i.e. flip like a hairdo flip your hand or body like someone would flip their hair).
How & Who: I would use this poem as an energizer or transition with Kindergarteners or 1
st
graders.
The poem is short enough that it would not take too long to do, but contains a lot of moves to get the
wiggles out of the students.




















Health:
Herbert Glerbett by Jack Prelutsky

Herbert Glerbett, rather round,
swallowed sherbet by the pound,
fifty pounds of lemon sherbet
went inside of Herbert Glerbett.

With that glob inside his lap
Herbert Glerbett took a nap,
and as he slept, the boy dissolved,
and from the mess a thing evolved-

a thing that is a ghastly green,
a thing the world had never seen,
a puddle thing, a gooey pile
of something strange that does not smile.

Now if youre wise, and if youre sly,
youll swiftly pass this creature by,
it is no longer Herbert Glerbett.
Whatever it is, do not disturb it.

Source: Martin, B. Jr. (2008). The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry pg. 138
Why: This poem has a lot of fun language that I really enjoyed and I think kids would enjoy too. The
name is funny and the idea of what happens to him can really send a message to kids about how
important it is to make healthy food choices.
How & Who: I would use this poem as an introduction to a healthy eating or nutrition unit for
Kindergarten or 1
st
graders. Students would have to then make a list of healthy foods that Herbert could
eat instead of sherbet so he does not turn into a blob.