I Found a Tiny Starfish

By Dayle Ann Dodds

Poems convey a certain tone for the reader. The tone allows the reader to think about
what mood the speaker is in based on their words and expression throughout the
poem. It can also help the reader decide what type of personality the speaker has. I
am going to model how to read a poem using expression. After I read the poem, you
will read the poem to a partner following the same expression and tone as I model for
the class. By demonstrating how to read the poem with expression, you will be able to
independently answer the questions and the BCR.

The poem I am now going to read is titled I found a Tiny Starfish by Dayle Ann Dodds.
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I found a tiny starfish
In a tidepool by the sand.
I found a tiny starfish
And put him in my hand.

An itty-bitty starfish
No bigger than my thumb,
A wet and golden starfish
Belonging to no one.

I thought that I would take him
From the tidepool by the sea,
And bring him home to give to you
A loving gift from me.

But as I held my starfish,
His skin began to dry.
Without his special seaside home,
My gift to you would die.

I found a tiny starfish
In a tidepool by the sea.
I hope whoever finds him next
Will leave him there, like me!

And the gift Ive saved for you?
The best that I can give:
I found a tiny starfish,
And for you, I let him live.







1. How many stanzas are in this poem?
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2. How many lines are in each stanza?
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3. Write an example of repetition.
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4. Write an example of end rhyme from
the second stanza.
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5. Write an example of end rhyme from
the fourth stanza.
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6. The setting of this poem is-
at home.
in the sea.
under the water.
by the sea.



















































7. Describe the tone of the speaker in the poem I Found a Tiny Starfish.
Use details from the text to support the speakers tone of the poem.


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Memory Tree


I have planted a memory tree,
neither too great
nor too small.
A tree for life
to celebrate the beauty around me
and to remind me.

May this tree of life I have set to earth
grow roots strongly anchored,
grow branches stretching wide,
to remind me often
of a grandparents arms
and that loving embrace.























\\\\\


1. What summarizes this poets message?
Trees grow strong and wide when planted correctly.
The poet loves to sit under trees and remember things.
The poet plants a tree to celebrate Earth Day.
The poet plants a tree to help her deal with missing a
grandparent.

2. What does the poet remember?
how to plant a tree
trees she has planted in the past
her grandparents love
that trees have strong roots and branches


3. The tone of the poem may best be described as
sadness
loving
excitement
hopefulness

4. What is the poet celebrating?
the beauty of the world and love
trees
Earth Day
memories

5. The setting of the poem is
a little girl
missing her grandparents
outdoors in the summer




The March Wind
By Anonymous

I come to work as well as play;
Ill tell you what I do.
I whistle all the live-long day,
Woo-oo-oo-oo! Woo-oo!

I toss the branches up and down
And shake them to and fro;
I whirl the leaves in flocks of brown
And send them high and low.

I strew the twigs upon the ground,
The frozen earth I sweep;
I blow the children round and round
And wake the flowers from sleep.

1. The tone of the poem may best be described as
sadness
excitement
quietness
hopefulness

2. An example of onomatopoeia is
toss
whistle
Woo-oo-oo-oo!
wake


3. Describe the tone of the speaker in the poem The March Wind. Use details
from the text to support the speakers tone of the poem.

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