Poetry for Children 5903-23
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Available from,www.harperchildrens.com.Accessed June 12,2005

Runny’s Heading Rabits 

 

 Runny lent to the wibrary

And there were bundreds of hooks—

Bistory hooks, beography gooks,

And lots of bory stooks.

He looked them over one by one

And guess which one he took—

A bience scook? A boetry pook?

Oh, no ---a bomic cook!

  

A Billy Sook, HarperCollins Publishers. 2005

 

Introduction
Once I figured out how to pronounce all the words I really liked this poem.
 
Expansion
Read the poem just like it is. Start at the first sentence, read it and on the board or one of those giant spiral notebooks rewrite the poem using the correct words.  When you are  finished have the kids try their luck writing a poem using their spelling words.  When they finish with the poem, trade with a classmate and see if they can decipher it.   For the older students talk about a form of writing called spoonerism.  (A form of language where the initial sounds are changed, usually it happens on accident.)

 

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Available from www.Amazon.com.Accessed June 9,2005

One Inch Tall

 

 

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school.
The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall.

If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You'd swing upon a spider's thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb.
You'd run from people's feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write--
'Cause I'm just one inch tall).

Where The Sidewalk Ends the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein, New York: HarperCollins Publishers.1974

Introduction
I  think many kids can relate to this poem.
 
Expansion
I think this poem cries out to be illustrated.  Ask the kids what they would feel like if they were only one inch tall.  Have them draw a picture of themself and then using the descriptive words in the poem write a sentence or two describing themself.  When you finish, talk about the opposite; now they are 20 feet tall.
Have the class describe themself now, brainstorm words about being 20 feet tall.

One Inch Tall

  

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school.
The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall.

If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You'd swing upon a spider's thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb.
You'd run from people's feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write--
'Cause I'm just one inch tall).

 

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available from

Hug O' War

"I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins...

Where the Sidewalk Ends the Poems and Drawings Of Shel Silverstein. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1974

Introduction
I found out this was one of Shel Slverstein's favorite poems. 
 
Expansion
This poem can be used to brainstorm ways that people can get along.  Have the class think of words that can be used to show friendship, feelings, sadness, and other expressions. 
 

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