The theme for Week 7 shifts to "In the Water" and this poem for Third Grade by Jack Prelutsky is a prime example. It begins...
A Clam
by Jack Prelutsky
A clam is a creature
Of quiet aplomb.
In all situations
A clam remains calm.
....
[Find the rest of this clever, descriptive poem on p. 153.]
Take 5
1. Feeling brave? You can sing this poem to the tune of “On top of old smoky.” Sing it for the students first, then display the words and invite them to join you.
2. Or if you prefer to read the poem aloud, invite students to join in on the word clam each time it occurs in the poem. They can clap their hands together each time they say clam to mimic the opening and shutting of the clamshell, too.
3. Sometimes poets weave facts into their poems. Guide students in noting what information we learn about clams in this poem.
4. This poem is an example of wordplay. Guide students in seeing how the similarities between the words clam and calm inspired the poem.
5. Link this poem with “Fish” by Joy Acey or selections from At the Sea Floor Café; Odd Ocean Critter Poems by Leslie Bulion.
Betsy is hosting our Poetry Friday gathering at her Teaching Young Writers blog this week. See you there!
I really love #2 in the Take 5--getting kids to clap their hands together to mimic clam shells opening and closing. They'll have fun doing that!
ReplyDeleteClams do demonstrate a certain patience don't they? Love your Take--5 thoughts here, especially the weaving of information writing into a poem.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love the words "clam" and "aplomb" - so nice of Mr. Prelutsky to put them together for me! This one is so cute (and informative), and I love the wordplay exercise.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute, fun poem! One of my favourites from the book, because of its simplicity.
ReplyDeleteClever is the exact word I would use to describe those four lines. Great teaser, Sylvia. I hope we already have a copy of The Poetry Friday Anthology here in Singapore. :)
ReplyDeleteMyra: I think you can get the Kindle version in Singapore, right? We have single grade-level e-books (38 poems in each) that you can borrow for FREE if you have Amazon Prime!
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