(1) Poetry Lesson 7
(2) Poetry Lesson 7
A Kitten (p. 22) from Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry,
Weather Report (p. 14) from One Big Rain: Poems for Rainy
Days by Rita Gray
Sight is next on the chart. How do you think a poet
can help us connect using sight, or what we see?
Poets want readers to connect to the experience that
are described in their poems. We know that one way
this is done is through sound like rhyme and
onomatopoeia. What are our five senses?
Allow student responses and display the appendix “Using Our
Five Senses in Poetry” and cover the second column.
We’ve talked a lot about sound, but did you ever
consider dialogue, or when people talk to be a
sound? Let’s add it to the chart.
Uncover the items on the chart that are next to “Sound”
Allow student responses. Guide them to include: detailed
descriptions, strong adjectives, comparisons, etc. Uncover
the items on the chart that are next to “Sight.” Continue
discussing the other senses and the ways that poets help
readers connect with these senses.
When we read a poem, we can’t really smell what’s
going on, but if the poet describes the warm,
chocolaty air that fills the kitchen when cookies are
pulled from the oven, we all connect to our own
experience of smelling cookies and are able to
visualize and actually smell what is happening in the
poem. Poets use details and descriptions to stimulate
our senses.
(3) Poetry Lesson 7
(4) Poetry Lesson 7
Display the poem “A Kitten” by Eleanor Farjeon from
The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry.
I am going to read the poem. As I read, I want
you to listen carefully and think about which of
the five senses are being called upon in each
line. This helps us understand the poem and gain
a deeper meaning of it.
This poem is about a kitten. Before we start to
read, let’s talk about a kitten in relation to our
five senses. Does anyone have a cat or kitten?
What do you see in your minds when you think
of a kitten?
Read the poem
Let’s look at the poem again, slowly. What
Write “sight” on the chart paper and then student
ideas: small, tiny etc. IF someone says furry or meow
explain that those are touch and sound senses, and
add those to the chart with sound, touch, taste, and
smell.
words did Eleanor Farjeon use to make us “hear”
(5) Poetry Lesson 7
(6) Poetry Lesson 7
“Weather Report” by Lilian Moore also uses
sight, sound, and touch to connect with readers.
Close your eyes and listen while I read about this
winter storm and see if you can visualize what is
happening?
Read the poem slowly. Because it is complex, explain what is
happening if students don’t make connections. Use the chart
to list the sensory details and help students connect to the
storm and the icy morning. Read the poem again.
the kitten?
List the visual descriptions beside “sight” on the chart:
“fur”, “two round eyes of blue”, “darts” “pats the air,”
etc. List “fur” under touch.” Mention that there
aren’t really any “smell” or “taste” details.
Poets use sensory images to make readers think
about their own experiences that relate to the
poems. When poets use detailed descriptions
with lots of adjectives, as well as language that
compares the topic to something familiar,
readers begin to hear, see feel, taste, and smell
what the poem is trying to describe.