Rope+Rhyme

Day 1:

 * 1) Introductory questions: This is a poem about jumping rope. What are some of the noises you hear when you are jumping rope?
 * 2) Echo read the poem once through.
 * 3) The second time through, stop to __visualize__. Read a few lines, then close their eyes and talk about what they see and hear in their minds. What powerful words does the poet use that help you visualize?
 * 4) What do you think this poem is good for? (good for saying while you jump rope!)
 * 5) Pairs time each other and record initial times.

Day 2:

 * 1) Read the poem together and try to __synthesize__ it. What is the poem about? How could you explain it in a few sentences to someone who had never read it?
 * 2) Comprehension: What do you imagine about the poet? Who do you __infer__ the poet is? What __questions__ could you ask the poet?
 * 3) Talk about expression and rhythm. Have different students model reading with a beat. Why do you think this is a poem with a beat?
 * 4) Have them give each other some feedback.
 * 5) Pairs read and time themselves.

Day 3:

 * 1) Comprehension: Talk about how the poem is written on the page. How should you read the end? Why do you think the words look like that?
 * 2) __Connections__: what jump rope rhymes do you know? Write one or two down. Ask them how to make them look like a poem. Line breaks? punctuation?
 * 3) Ask students to look for punctuation. It has almost no punctuation. So you have to decide how to read it yourself. Ask for students to model how they would read it.
 * 4) Students practice alone or with a partner, as they choose, trying out different ways of reading it and where to pause.

Day 4:

 * 1) Today they will get to perform the poem for each other. Give them some time to practice.
 * 2) People who want to can perform for the group. Time them as they do. If some don't perform, be sure they get timed by a partner and record their times.
 * 3) Other options for performing: have pairs or groups of 3 read each stanza, and go around the circle, reading the poem chorally in small groups.