Poetry Break #1

Introduction
This poem plays on the fact that children tend to forget everything. Before reading the poem, share with students your own memories of forgetting things at school and what happened when you did. Ask the students to share experiences of things they left at school or at home and what happened as a result.


Whose Thumb is This?
By Kalli Dakos

Class, it's time to go home,
Make sure you have everything.

Sarah, your fingers
Are in the finger drawer.

Here's a toe.
Check your feet.
Is anyone
missing a toe?

Miguel, no wonder
You can't hear!
Your ears are on the bookcase.

Whose thumb is this?
Will someone
Please claim her thumb?

Pete, here's the neck
For your scarf.

We've lost a head!
Nobody can go home
Until we find
Pedro's head.

Tara, your behind
Is behind you!

Finally,
You have all your parts
Together,
And you look wonderful!
You may line up now.
Have a great weekend!

(Class files out the door.)

Oh, no!

Here's one last nose,
Now whose could it be?

[From: DON'T READ THIS BOOK, WHATEVER YOU DO!: MORE POEMS ABOUT SCHOOL, Aladdin, 1993]


Extension
Brainstorm with students on ways to remember things for school. Give students a string to tie on their finger or post-it notes and talk about remembering items. Follow up with students in a week or two to see if any of their methods are working to help them remember not to forget!

Poetry Breaks and Poetry Reviews

This blog is set up for the poetry class I am taking for my graduate class at TWU. I will be posting poetry breaks and poetry reviews each week-- enjoy!