INTRODUCTION
Today marks the beginning of the hottest 40 days of the year in the northern hemisphere. The phrase, dog days of summer, comes from Ancient Egypt where this period was named after the dog star, Sirius. This star is the brightest in the night sky. Back then, it rose and set at the same time as the sun during this period. That is how the Egyptians knew they were entering the heat of the “Dog Days.”
POEM
Today marks the beginning of the hottest 40 days of the year in the northern hemisphere. The phrase, dog days of summer, comes from Ancient Egypt where this period was named after the dog star, Sirius. This star is the brightest in the night sky. Back then, it rose and set at the same time as the sun during this period. That is how the Egyptians knew they were entering the heat of the “Dog Days.”
POEM
DOG DAY
By Douglas Florian
It’s hot and it’s hazy.
My body feels lazy.
My clothing is clinging.
No songbird is singing.
The temperature’s torrid.
My temperament’s horrid.
Has anyone thrown
This dog day a bone?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 2002. SUMMERSAULTS: POEMS AND PAINTINGS. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060292679
EXTENSION
The dog star is not always in alignment with the sun at this time of year. Tonight, remember to check the sky for the dog star as the sun sets. Meanwhile, let’s make some poetry fans for cooling off. Make simple accordion-fold fans, and have the children write a “list poem” by listing words associated with heat and summer on each of the folds. Also, if it is a hot day and circumstances allow: have a run through a sprinkler or swim in a pool.
Photo courtesy of http://images.search.yahoo.com/.
No comments:
Post a Comment