Informational Resources:

Author Information:

Rhett Miller

https://www.lbyr.com/contributor/rhett-miller/

Illustrator Information:

Dan Santat

https://www.dantat.com/aboutme

Activities & Resources:

Activities:

Poetry

Make a poetry bracelet.

https://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/fabric-wrapped-poetry-bracelets.html

What pet would you like to own? Using the online poem generator, create a concrete poem in the shape of the pet you want.

https://www.poem-generator.org.uk/concrete/

Germs

Using blow painting, make some adorable germs.

https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/germ-blow-painting-art/

Do you know where the hygiene hotspots are in your home? The creeping, crawling army of germs is slowly taking over your house. Grab your trusty cloth and spray, hunt down your home's hygiene hotspots and eliminate your unwanted invaders! Play Germ Hunter online.

http://www.primarygames.com/science/germhunter/start.htm

Etiquette/Manners

Play Manners Charades with your class. Pass out 2 slips of paper to each student. On one slip, write an example of good manners. On the other slip, write an example of bad manners. Collect slips and mix them up. Each student draws a slip and then acts out what is on the paper. The other students have to guess what the action is and if it is an example of good or bad manners.

Disco

Learn how to do the most popular disco dance of the 1970s. (2:36)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqwFL_0Y_Zk

Memory

Play some fun online memory games.

http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/memory.html

8 Ways to Boost Memorization Skills

https://www.kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/8-ways-to-boost-memorization-skills/

Sleep:

Create a glowing bedtime bottle to help you get to sleep.

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/59195/glowing-sensory-bottle-for-bedtime

Sleep Advice for Kids:

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/cant-sleep.html

MakerSpace Activities:

Make a pinwheel poem and conduct some wind experiments.

http://jdaniel4smom.com/2015/04/windy-and-cool-science-experiments-with-free-printable.html

Lego Poetry

http://www.mrs-lodges-library.com/2013/09/lego-poetry/#.Xi3TFWhKjIU

Construct a poetry tower.

https://smartchickteacher.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/poetry-tower-insect-theme/#wpcom-carousel-434

Write your own poem and then use code to bring it to life.

https://www.tynker.com/ide/v3?p=58c18d51af923177058b45cf

Conduct a memory experiment:

https://www.verywellmind.com/a-short-term-memory-experiment-2795664

Discussion Questions:

Dan Santat is the illustrator of this book. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal for Beekle in 2015. This medal is presented to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Which illustration in the book is your favorite? Why?

How do Dan Santat’s illustrations enhance the poems in this book?

The author includes “A NOTE TO THE READER” at the beginning of the book. Why do you think he does this? Explain your answer.

Which poem in the book is your favorite? Why?

Which poem in your book is your least favorite? Why?

Do you like poetry – reading and/or writing it? Why or why not?

“Purple Pox”

Describe a time you lied or pretended to be sick to get out of doing something you didn’t want to do.

“Brotherly Love”

In this poem, the little brother annoys his big sister. Describe a time that you were annoyed by a sibling.

“My Device”

Look at the format of this poem. Why do you think the illustrator presented the words in that format? Do you think it is effective?

“Weirdos of the World Unite”

What is the theme or overall message in this poem?

The last two lines say that we are all weirdos. How are you a weirdo?

Which person is the weirdest in the poem? Why?

Which person is the least weirdest in the poem? Why?

“Time to Wrestle”

The narrator describes a fond memory of wrestling with his father. What fond memory do you have with your mom, dad, or caregiver?

“My Manners”

Do you think manners are important? Back up your opinion with examples.

What manners do you need to work on? Give examples.

What are some basic manners everyone should know?

“I’m Not Hungry Anymore”

The narrator regrets ordering the fish for dinner. Describe a time you were served something unappealing. Did you eat it?

“Rock Star Dad”

Would you like to have a rock star as a parent? Why or why not?

“My Poems”

In this poem, the writer misspells the word “poems”. Why do you think he does this?

Book Talk Teasers:

Watch this hilarious promo for the book. No More Poems! (3:12)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFU4X322FXQ

Watch the illustrator read a poem from the book. “My Device” (1:33)

https://theroarbots.com/rhett-miller-dan-santat-no-more-poems/

Read the readers theater from this book.

Read Alikes:

Humorous Poetry

Brown, Calef. Hypnotize a Tiger: Poems about Just About Everything. This is the first longer-format, middle-grade collection from #1 New York Times-bestselling author-illustrator Calef Brown. Moving away from the picture book format offers Calef the opportunity to tackle a variety of themes and poetry styles as well as reach a slightly older audience along the lines of Doug Florian and Shel Silverstein. The book is chock-full of Calef's zany black-and-white artwork and features his wonderfully inventive characters and worlds--from the "completely nonviolent and silent "Lou Gnome to Percival, the impetuous (and none-too-sensible) lad who believes he is invincible, to Hugh Jarm (who has a huge arm, natch!). It's a whimsical world: creative, fun, and inspiring! (NoveList Plus)

Harris, Chris. I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-ups. An illustrated collection of comically irreverent rhyming poems for readers of all ages, ranging in topic from avocados and anacondas to zombies and zebras (dressed like ghosts). (NoveList Plus)

Prelutsky, Jack. The New Kid on the Block: Poems. Humorous poems about such strange creatures and people as Baloney Belly Billy and the Gloopy Gloopers. (NoveList Plus)

Shapiro, Karen Jo. Because I Could Not Stop My Bike, and Other Poems. A collection of light-hearted parodies written in the style of such well-known poets as Emily Dickinson, Robert Burns, Christina Rosetti, Joyce Kilmer, and William Shakespeare. (NoveList Plus)

Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems & Drawings of Shel Silverstein. A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings. (NoveList Plus)