Poetry Prompts Responding to Poetry

Read With a Purpose, Respond to a Prompt Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all have natural responses to poetry. Sometimes the poems make us feel a wide range of emotions, and other times we may simply take pleasure in the rhythm or the sounds of the words on the page. Today, we are going to examine poems, try to think deeply about their messages, their purposes, then respond to a prompt. Image:

“Sick” by Shel Silverstein “ I cannot go to school today,” Said little Peggy Ann McKay, “I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash, and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I’m going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox And there’s one more—that’s seventeen, And don’t you think my face looks green? My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--- It might be instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I’m sure that my left leg is broke— My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button’s caving in, My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained, My ‘pendix pains each time it rains. My nose is cold, my toes are numb, I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There is a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is—what? What’s that? What’s that you say? You say today is---Saturday? G’bye, I’m going out to play!” Image:

Read With a Purpose Think for a minute what this poem is about? What have you learned about little Peggy Ann McKay?

Respond to a Prompt Think of a time that you misled someone. What did you bend the truth about? How did you feel after you told that person something that wasn’t 100% true? Did s/he ever find out that they had been misled? Would you do it again? Why or why not?

Another Look at Poetry “MOON-CATCHIN' NET” I've made me a moon-catchin' net, And I'm goin' huntin' tonight, I'll run along swingin' it over my head, And grab for that big ball of light. So tomorrow just look at the sky, And if there's no moon you can bet I've found what I sought and I finally caught The moon in my moon-catchin' net. But if the moon's still shinin' there, Look close underneath and you'll get A clear look at me in the sky swingin' free With a star in my moon-catchin' net. - Shel Silverstein Image:

Respond to a Prompt Has there ever been something you wanted very much that you may or may not have been able to get? Write about what you wanted. Include the following: a.What did you want and why did you want it? b.If you got it, explain how it happened and why you were successful. If you didn’t, explain why not. c.Explain how you might be successful in getting it in the future.

Yet another look at Poetry “Sea-Fever” by John Masefield I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy say with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life. To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife; All I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

Respond to a Prompt The poem below may give you ideas for your writing. Read the poem again and pay attention to unusual details. Then create a story. Imagine you are on a ship’s crew. Your ship is your home. Write a story about how the ocean affects your life. Tell about some of the things you’ve seen. Use your imagination to make your story interesting and original.

5-Point Response Being on a ship’s crew, I feel happy and free. As a sailor, I get to see all different parts of the world, and I have all sorts of amazing stories to tell when I return home. I have seen beautiful islands and amazing animals. Once, we saw a bunch of dolphins jumping through the waves. Another time, we saw a giant whale. I miss the ocean when I’m not on it, but my crew and I live near each other, so I am never alone. Our ship has been on rough oceans and in big storms. We even had waves come over the railings and onto the deck of our ship. I was afraid we might shipwreck. These things can be scary, but I have always been happy on the seas. Feeling the wind in my hair and smelling the salty waves is great!