Learning about major poets

"Band-Aids"

by Shel Silverstein

I have a Band-Aid on my finger,

One on my knee, and one on my nose,

One on my heel, and two on my shoulder,

Three on my elbow, and nine on my toes.

Two on my wrist, and one on my ankle,

One on my chin, and one on my thigh,

Four on my belly, and five on my bottom,

One on my forehead, and one on my eye.

One on my neck, and in case I might need em

I have a box of thirty-five more.

But oh! I do think it's sort of a pity

I don't have a cut or a sore!

Where the Sidewalk Ends, 1974

Extension

Children can share stories of their most terrible or unusual "boo boos." Or, as you read the poem out loud, have the children hold up the number of fingers that correspond to each number mentioned. With ESL children, it might also be helpful to clarify each of the body parts mentioned in the poem. This poem can even be performed with motions, pointing to each body part and band-aid location.

"Louder than a Clap of Thunder!"

by Jack Prelutsky

Louder than a clap of thunder,

louder than an eagle screams,

louder than a dragon blunders,

or a dozen football teams,

louder than a four-alarmer,

or a rushing waterfall,

louder than a knight in armor

jumping from a ten-foot wall.

Louder than an earthquake rumbles,

louder than a tidal wave,

louder than an ogre grumbles

as he stumbles through his cave,

louder than stampeding cattle,

louder than a cannon roars,

louder than a giant's rattle,

that's how loud my father SNORES!

The New Kid on the Block; Greenwillow, 1984

Extension

With the repeated use of the word "louder," this poem is perfect for audience participation. Once you have shared the poem orally (and the children are familiar with all the vocabulary), read it again with the audience providing the word, "louder." Have them start softly, but say the word a bit louder each time, until they nearly shout the last line. (Remember to go outside beforehand, if possible.)

"If I Were In Charge of the World"

by Judith Viorst

If I were in charge of the world

I'd cancel oatmeal,

Monday mornings,

Allergy shots, and also

Sara Steinberg.

If I were in charge of the world

There'd be brighter night lights,

Healthier hamsters, and

Basketball baskets forty-eight inches lower.

If I were in charge of the world

You wouldn't have lonely.

You wouldn't have clean.

You wouldn't have bedtimes.

Or "Don't punch your sister."

You wouldn't even have sisters.

If I were in charge of the world

A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts

would be a vegetable.

All 007 movies would be G.

And a person who sometimes forgot to brush,

And sometimes forgot to flush,

Would still be allowed to be

In charge of the world.

from: If I Were In Charge of the World,

Macmillan, 1981

Extension

Have children write their own poems listing things they'd want to change if they were in charge of the world. Also in repeated read alouds, children can join in on the repeated phrase, "If I were in charge of the world." Write the phrase on the board or on a strip of paper to use as a visual cue, especially for non-readers or ESL students.

"Delicious Wishes"

by Douglas Florian

I wish I was taller.

I wish I was strong.

I wish that my short hair

Was silky and long.

I wish I could whistle.

I wish I could sing.

I wish that the winter

Would turn into spring.

I wish I was well read.

I wish I was wise.

I wish that my good looks

Would win me a prize.

I wish I was granted

A wagon of wishes.

I wish that I wasn't

Stuck doing the dishes.

from Bing Bang Boing; Harcourt Brace, 1994

Extension

For repeated read aloud, this list poem is another one that lends itself to line-around reading, with one volunteer per solo line. Children may also want to create their own list poems of wishes.