INTRODUCTION
Tell students to close their eyes and imagine that they are trees in the summertime. Have them feel the warmth of the sun and feel the warm breeze blowing their bright green leaves. Then have them imagine that they are trees in the freezing cold of winter complete with bare branches. While they are still pretending to be cold trees in winter, tell them that suddenly the sun peeks through a cloud and a ray of warm sunlight shines down on them. Have them keep their eyes closed as they listen to the poem.
POEM
Tell students to close their eyes and imagine that they are trees in the summertime. Have them feel the warmth of the sun and feel the warm breeze blowing their bright green leaves. Then have them imagine that they are trees in the freezing cold of winter complete with bare branches. While they are still pretending to be cold trees in winter, tell them that suddenly the sun peeks through a cloud and a ray of warm sunlight shines down on them. Have them keep their eyes closed as they listen to the poem.
POEM
SHADOWS
By Anna Grossnickle Hines
Do you know what the trees
are doing in the winter
with their branches reaching
up and out
and all about
making crisscross shadows
little twiggy spriggy shadows
long lanky liney shadows
all around?
They’re sunbathing.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. 2001. PIECES: A YEAR IN POEMS & QUILTS. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0688169643
EXTENSION
Now have students open their eyes and turn to a partner to discuss how the sunlight would make them feel if they were winter trees. Ask students to use watercolors to paint a picture of a winter tree sunbathing.
Photo courtesy of http://images.search.yahoo.com/.
Nice use of my poem. I hope your readers enjoy the experience.
ReplyDeleteAnna Grossnickle Hines