The+Worm

The Worm
[|The Worm.doc]

Day 1

 * 1) Introduce the poem: "This week we are reading a silly poem about worms. What do you know about worms?" Try to get info. about when they come out, where they live, who eats them (birds), etc.
 * 2) Echo read the poem. Teacher reads a line or two, group echos. Give positive feedback / make a few suggestions for improvement.
 * 3) Line 1: talk about what it means to "turn the earth" in spring.
 * 4) Third stanza: talk about what it means (the wording is kind of funny) -- the birds like worms as much as I like bread, etc.
 * 5) Comprehension question: What happened at the end of the poem? What is your evidence? How did he fool his mom?
 * 6) In pairs, students time each other reading the poem and fill in their graph.

Day 2

 * 1) Today practice the poem with a partner. Have students model reading it with expression. Talk about periods and commas, and the italics at the end. Have kids demonstrate reading it with expression and drama!
 * 2) Comprehension: Who do you think is telling this story? What is your evidence?
 * 3) Go over each part of the poem in more detail. Paraphrase each part in "talking language."
 * 4) Partners time each other and record their Tuesday time on the sheet.

Day 3

 * 1) Comprehension: have them touch the line in the poem that answers each question.
 * 2) What are the worms like in the spring?
 * 3) Who eats the worms?
 * 4) Why didn't the narrator swallow the worm?
 * 5) Today they will get to perform the poem for each other. Give them some time to practice.
 * 6) 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.
 * 7) Other options for performing: have pairs or groups of 3 read each stanza, and go around the table, reading the poem chorally in small groups.
 * 8) Word study: if there's time, have kids list words that rhyme in the poem.