Poems
This week we will read poems in English. Poems are pieces of writing that sound good. Poems are similar to songs, but they don't have music.
This week we will read poems in English. Poems are pieces of writing that sound good. Poems are similar to songs, but they don't have music.
Reading poems is fun, and reading them out loud will help your English pronunciation!
Reading poems is fun, and reading them out loud will help your English pronunciation!
1.) This is a poem by the American writer Langston Hughes. Read this poem out loud; speak it! Read it two times.
1.) This is a poem by the American writer Langston Hughes. Read this poem out loud; speak it! Read it two times.
Here are three things that are usually (but not always) in poems.
Here are three things that are usually (but not always) in poems.
1.) Rhythm
1.) Rhythm
2.) Rhyme
2.) Rhyme
3.) Metaphor or simile
3.) Metaphor or simile
1.) Rhythm
1.) Rhythm
Rhythm is when different syllables have different stress. This means that some syllables are longer, louder, and higher than others.
Rhythm is when different syllables have different stress. This means that some syllables are longer, louder, and higher than others.
Listen to this teacher read the poem. Which words are stressed? How many syllables are in each line of the poem?
Listen to this teacher read the poem. Which words are stressed? How many syllables are in each line of the poem?
Answers
Answers
Hold fast to dreams (4 syllables)
For if dreams die (4 syllables)
Life is a broken-winged bird (8 syllables)
That cannot fly. (4 syllables)
Hold fast to dreams (4 syllables)
For when dreams go (4 syllables)
Life is a barren field (6 syllables)
Frozen with snow. (4 syllables)
2.) Rhyme
2.) Rhyme
Rhyme is when the end of two or more words sounds the same or similar.
Rhyme is when the end of two or more words sounds the same or similar.
Poems often have rhyme. This means they have words that sound the same.
Poems often have rhyme. This means they have words that sound the same.
Which words rhyme in this poem? Listen to the poem again.
Which words rhyme in this poem? Listen to the poem again.
Answers: rhyme
Answers: rhyme
Hold fast to dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Frozen with snow.
3.) Simile and Metaphor
3.) Simile and Metaphor
Usually, poems have similes or metaphors. We learned about similes in week 2 and week 4. You can review them here and here.
Usually, poems have similes or metaphors. We learned about similes in week 2 and week 4. You can review them here and here.
Metaphor
Metaphor
Metaphors compare two things with the verb to be. We DO NOT use "like" or "as"
Examples:
He is a giraffe!
Her smile is the sunshine.
She's a fish!
Listen to the poem one more time. Do you hear any metaphors or similes?
Listen to the poem one more time. Do you hear any metaphors or similes?
Answers: metaphor or simile
Answers: metaphor or simile
Life is a broken-winged bird = metaphor
Life is a broken-winged bird = metaphor
Life is a barren field = metaphor
Life is a barren field = metaphor
More information about rhythm, rhyme, and similes/metaphors
Stress and rhythm
Stress and rhythm
Rhyme
Rhyme
Simile and metaphor
Simile and metaphor
