Ghoulish Grandchild

My goldfish ate my Granny
"Impossible', you say.
It did so eat my Granny
and finished her today.
What first appears impossible
was the action of a beast.
It did so eat my Granny,
piece by piece by piece.

R. Day

Copy this poem on the board.

Activities

1. Have the kids look up the words they don't know in a class dictionary or discuss them as a group. Always mention the root word the basic form as this develops their word analysis.
2. Have them take note of the 8-line structure, mostly with 6 or 7 syllables per line.
3. Ask the kids to tell you the rhyming words after you make sure they understand the word rhyme.
4. Ask the kids to underline the verbs and quiz them about the tense.
5. Ask them to circle the nouns.
6. Stand and demonstrate how to read this poem with intonation, drama and face gestures. Then ask various kids to perform and have the class score their performance either by clapping, with a vote of raised hands or a score on the board.
7. If your class is very talented (advanced) ask them to rewrite the poem in the same style by changing various words and meanings. Perform and post results another day.

I prefer to do most questioning and dialogue in a circle of chairs, if the class is small, or around one large table. In a circle nobody is blocked and the circle promotes dialogue. Try to get the students asking questions around the circle to a student next to them. This way they do the speaking and the teacher is listening. Teacher will have to coach the activity and shush noise makers.

This activity is best with older children (12+) and adults.
Copyright 2005 Robin Tim Day