Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems
Selected by: Lee Bennett Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Copyright: 2010
Genre: Poetry/Nonfiction
Summary: A book of poems about the 4 seasons (12 poems per season). The
topics of poems are fun themes such as Spring Polliwogs, Summer Fourth of
July Parade, Autumn Scarecrow Prince, and Winter Icicles. Some of the poems
have been written by Lee Bennett Hopkins, while others are written by well
known poets such as Carl Sandburg, Richard Brautigan, and Karla Kuskin.
BOOKTALK: Do you find pleasure in the arrival of each of the 4 seasons of the
year? Read these delightful poems to remind yourself of the exciting changes
and events that take place throughout the 12 months of the year.
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
www.leebennetthopkins.com/
Other books written by the author:
Click the link below to see other books written by Lee Bennett
Hopkins:
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Kids/BookFinder/ContributorBooks.
aspx?SCId=12232
CHALLENGING WORDS:
p. 3 fledgling
p. 4 existence
p. 6 fiddleheads, unfurl
p. 15 slithery, emerge
p. 23 perspiration
p. 26 turrets, damsels
p. 32 bunglows
p. 34 strum
p. 35 maracas, confetti
p. 36 stride
p. 44 crumpled, forlorn
p. 50 feisty, criticize
p. 51 whittling
p. 53 scuttling
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p. 55 evident
p. 67 prey
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are some of the things a dog probably enjoys most about springtime? (“April is a
Dog’s Dream”; p. 14)
2. What are some your favorite sights in the Fourth of July Parade? (“The Fourth of July
Parade”; p. 23)
3. Why do you think the author refers to 100 years ago when people picked apples? Do
you ever pick apples? Tell about your experiences. (“Apple Pockets”; p. 43)
4. On p. 47 the author pairs together different items. What two very different items would
you pair together? (“The Pumpkin Tide”; p. 47)
5. What do you think of when you hear winter? What are your favorite winter memories?
6. Which season do you like the best? Why?
7. Which season is your least favorite? Why?
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:
Language Arts:
1. Have students compare and contrast a nonfiction book about the
seasons with Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems.
6.RL.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems;
historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
2. After reading a few other anthologies have students choose a couple
poets and compile a few books with their poems.
4.RL.9, 5.RL.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g.,
opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and
traditional literature from different cultures.
4.W.4, 5.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
6.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
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3. Select 2 poems from the book and compare the different elements and
style of writing poetry.
4.RL.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural
elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings,
descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
5.RL.5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall
structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
6.RL.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning
and tone.
6.RL.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure
of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot
4. Select a poem from the book and write a response to it.
4.W.1, 5.W.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and
information.
6.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
4.L.1, 5.L.1, 6.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
4.L.2, 5.L.2, 6.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
5. Henry James, on page 19, says his two favorite words are “summer”
and “afternoon.” Write a short poem about your favorite words.
4.W.3, 5.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
6.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
4.L.1, 5.L.1, 6.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
4.L.2, 5.L.2, 6.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
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6. Search online to find other poems about the seasons. Print one out for
each season, draw a picture to illustrate each poem, and staple together.
4.W.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and
digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
5.W.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and
digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a
list of sources.
6.W.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of
each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding
plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
4.SL.5 Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance
the development of main ideas or themes.
5.SL.5 Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in
presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
6.SL.5 Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual
displays in presentations to clarify information.
Lifeskills: organization, resourcefulness, perseverance
RELATED INTERNET SITES:
BrainPOP Jr./Seasons/Lesson Ideas
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/weather/seasons/grownups.weml
Revised 03/07/08