Today I Read a Bus Stop

Today I read a bus stopand then I read a van,

a poster and three carrier bags,some shop signs and a manwho had a crazy T-shirt on.

I’d already read the cereal box,a mug, and the jam label

and the headlines of the paperthat was lying on the table.

I read some writing in the sky,I even read the road,

a tree, a sign stuck in the grass,some number plates that whistled past,

a bag of crisps, a birthday card(it had my name on it so that was easy).

I was reading a text messagewhen I should have read the doorso then I pushed instead of pulled

and dropped my mobile on the floor.Then I started on this poem

and went out for another look

because

reading is amazingand all the world’s a book.

By Kathy HendersonUnit 3 Day 1

Possible Feature of Poems© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Rhyme – regular or irregular. Also near rhymes.

Rhythm – structured and regular or irregular, fast or slow.

Free verse – doesn’t follow any rules.

Onomatopoeia – when a word sounds like what it means.

Nonsense words – words that are not real but add a funny effect.

Alliteration - repeated sounds.

Repeated words/phrases – creates a more powerful effect.

Comparisons – saying something is like something else.E.g. My dog is like a clamp. He never lets go!

Unit 3 Day 1

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Three Challenges

1. Underline the rhymes in the poem.

2. Underline the part you think works best and discuss why this is.

3. Discuss and write a sentence saying why you like or dislike the poem.

Unit 3 Day 1

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Just a Book?

It’s a soldier in a battleas he launches a grenade,

it’s a hunter in a forestas she sharpens up her blade,

it’s a playmate, it’s a bully,it’s a policeman, it’s a crookbut it’s never, no it’s never,

no it’s never just a book.

It’s a parcel of ideas,it’s a package full of tools,it’s a field full of freedom,it’s a folder full of rules,

it’s a fancy flight of fantasyso come and have a look-

see it’s never, no it’s never,no it’s never just a book!

It’s a letter in a bottlebobbing blindly in the sea,

it’s a verdant leaf in summerhanging halfway up a tree,it’s a pebble sleeping softly

in a gently flowing brookbut it’s never, no it’s never,

no it’s never just a book.

It’s the topping on your pizzaas it sits upon your plate,

it’s the fish that you’ve been afteras you hook it with your bait,it’s a cupboard of ingredients

all waiting for the cookbut it’s never, no it’s never,

no it’s never just a book.

By Joshua Seigal

Unit 3 Day 2

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Pencil World Comprehension Questions

Your pencil’s amazing,a magical stick.

It might make anything.Take your pick.

a house on a hillor a ship at sea,

a bus full of people,a picture of me,

a fruit or flower,a battered old ball,elephants, igloos,

anything at all.

Everything’s in it,tightly curled,

waiting to wakefrom pencil world.

By Tony Mitton

Answer these questions in your books:

1. How would you describe the rhyming structure of this poem?

2. Which is your favourite verse? Why do you like it?

3. Why did the poet write ‘Everything’s in it.’ and not ‘Everything is in it.’

4. How could you describe the poem’s rhythm?

Unit 3 Day 2

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Just a Book? - Comprehension Questions

It’s a letter in a bottlebobbing blindly in the sea,it’s a verdant leaf in summerhanging halfway up a tree,it’s a pebble sleeping softlyin a gently flowing brookbut it’s never, no it’s never,no it’s never just a book.

It’s the topping on your pizzaas it sits upon your plate,it’s the fish that you’ve been afteras you hook it with your bait,it’s a cupboard of ingredients all waiting for the cookbut it’s never, no it’s never,no it’s never just a book.

It’s a soldier in a battleas he launches a grenade,it’s a hunter in a forestas she sharpens up her blade, it’s a playmate, it’s a bully,it’s a policeman, it’s a crookbut it’s never, no it’s never,no it’s never just a book.

It’s a parcel of ideas,it’s a package full of tools,it’s a field full of freedom,it’s a folder full of rules,it’s a fancy flight of fantasyso come and have a look-see it’s never, no it’s never,no it’s never just a book!

By Joshua Seigal

Answer these questions in your books:

1. Can you describe how the poet has used repetition in the poem?

2. Can you describe the rhyming structure of the poem?

3. What sort of rhythm does the poem have?

4. Why has the poet written ‘never’ in italics?

5. Which is your favourite part of this poem. Write a sentence saying why.

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resourcesUnit 3 Day 2

Voices of Water Comprehension Questions

The water in the rain saysTick Tick Tack

The water in the sleet saysSlush

The water in the ice saysCrick Crick Crack

The water in the snow saysHush

The water in the sink saysSlosh Slosh

The water in the tap saysDrip

The water in the bath saysWash Wash

The water in the cup says Sip

The water in the pool saysSplish Splash

The water in the stream saysTrill

The water in the sea saysCrish Crash

The water in the pondstays still.

The water in the soil saysSow, Sow

The water in the cloud saysGive

The water in the plant saysGrow, Grow

The water in the world saysLive

By Tony Mitton Now answer these questions in your books:

1. What is the phrase that is repeated throughout the poem?

2. Are there any rhyming words in the poem? Can you list some?

3. Write 4 words from the poem which sound like what they mean.

(These are onomatopoeic.)

Unit 3 Day 2

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

This poem

This poem is dangerous: it should not be left

Within reach of children, or even of adults

Who might swallow it whole, with possibly

Undesirable side effects. If you come across

An unattended, unidentified poem

In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it

Yourself. Send it (preferably, in a sealed container)

To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered

Harmless by experts. Even the simplest poem

May destroy your immunity to human emotions.

All poems must carry a government warning.

Words

Can seriously affect your heart.

By Elma Mitchell

Unit 3 Day 3

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

The Dictionary Bird

Through my house in sunny weather

Flies the Dictionary Bird

Clear to see on every feather

Is some outlandish word.

‘Hugger Mugger’ ‘gimcrack’ ‘guava’

‘Waggish’ ‘mizzle’ ‘swashing rain’

Bird- fly back into my kitchen,

Let me read those words again.

By Margaret Mahy

Unit 3 Day 3

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

The Dictionary Bird Feathers

Write your own words on the line in each feather.

Unit 3 Day 3

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

Outline of a Feather

Unit 3 Day 3

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources

The Teacher’s Gift

Every time I tell the timeOr work out ten times two,I open up a precious giftBequeathed to me by you.

You gave me names and numbers.You taught me how to spell.You taught me how to hold a penAnd how to write as well.

You planted seeds inside meBut did not see them grow.A bell rings at the end of schoolWe pack our bags and go.

These words I scrawl on paper,This shape upon my tongue,Is made from things you gave to meWay back when I was young.

You showed me how to read aloud By Steve TurnerFrom books of red and blue.You filled my head with goats and trollsAnd tinderboxes too.

Unit 3 Day 4

© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. happy_P023PT3_resources