POETRY IN THE

LANGUAGE CLASSROOM 4
What comes to mind when you think of
the sea?
maggie and milly and molly and may
Put this poem in the correct order

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

so sweetly she couldnt remember her troubles, and
went down to the beach(to play one day)
may came home with a smooth round stone
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
maggie and milly and molly and may
and maggie discovered a shell that sang
milly befriended a stranded star
For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
as small as a world and as large as alone.
whose rays five languid fingers were;
E. E. Cummings
 SOLUTION TO
SCRAMBLED POEM HANDOUT 1
23/09/16.
maggie and milly and molly and may

maggie and milly and molly and may

went down to the beach(to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang

so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

milly befriended a stranded star

whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone

as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)

it's always ourselves we find in the sea
What strikes you about this poem?

form
punctuation
spelling
syntax
 FUNNY POEMS

Apart from limericks funny poems can also

be used in the English classroom.

The following poem changes the ending of

popular porverbs. It could be used as a way
to get pupils to become familiar with English
proverbs. The original proverbs can be
taught to the class using images.
 PROVERBIAL FUN

Half a loaf is better than last nights takeaway

A garlic a day keeps everyone away

The early bird teaches the worm to sleep

Where theres a will you are not intestate

A bird in hand will make a mess on your sleeve.

One mans meat makes another man heave.

Too may cooks make a lot of washing up.

Great oaks from little acorns take years to grow up.

He who laughs last is a bit slow on the uptake.

A rolling stone will sink in a lake.

When the cats away the dog has the rug.

You make your bed so make it snug.
HE WHO LAUGHS LAST LAUGHS BEST
 POETIC LICENCE

Poetry reorganises:

syntax
invents vocabulary
mixes register
creates its own punctuation
 PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Looking at a picture to introduce topic or two to

compare. How are they different
Think of all the reasons why people might go
the beach. In groups, pupils put down their
ideas on poster. Later groups can compare
posters.
A list of words to classify under the themes of
the two images.
 PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

Represent on a poster the theme or subject of

the poem.
Discussion of pictures and or photos
Listening to a text related to the period.
Learning about the author.
Personal reactions to theme or subject of poem.
Background information regarding the poem.
 WHILE-READING ACTIVITIES

Highlight words which have not been pre-taught.

Point out meanings if there are several with
examples.
Students choose the best meaning according to
the context.
Choose some lines and ask students their opinion
of those lines.
They may discuss the rhythmic features.
 POST READING ACTIVITIES

Role play / simulation

Discussion or debate on theme / subject of the
poem
Suggest reading another work by the author
Writing a review of the poem
Personal reactions to the poem
Poem may be read chorally if it is appropriate.
 SOLUTION TO
SCRAMBLED POEM HANDOUT
23/09/16.
 SOMEWHERE IN THE SKY

Somewhere
In the sky,
Theres a door painted blue,
With a big brass knocker seven feet high.
If you can find it,
Knock, and go through
That is, if you dare.
Youll see behind it
The secrets of the universe piled on a chair
Like a tangle of wool.
A voice will declare
You have seven centuries in which to unwind it.
But whatever
You do,
You must never,
Ever,
Lose you temper and pull.