Connecting Reading and Writing: Poetry

Goals:

  • Read and respond to poetry
  • Write a brief reading response

Authors write poems to entertain us, to inform us, and also to share important moments or ideas.

Dennis Lee is a Canadian poet. In the poems below, he shares important feelings he has through poetry.

Read and listen to both poems.
As you read the poems, think about the meaning of the poem. What is the message of each poem?
(Note: the links for each poem will take you a page where you can listen to the author read the poem. Scroll down the page to practice reading the poem yourself.)

If Lonesome was a Pot of Gold by Dennis Lee

The Secret Place by Dennis Lee

Choose one of the poems to write about using the prompts below.

In your own words, explain what you think the poem is about.
If it helps, choose a sentence starter to begin:

  • I think the author is telling us … because …
  • This poem is about … I think this because …
  • I think the author wants us to know …

Share a connection you made to the poem or think of a question you might ask the author.
If it helps, choose a sentence starter to begin:

  • This poem reminds me of a time when …
  • This poem reminds me of (another book/poem) … because
  • This poem made me feel … because …
  • I would like to ask the author …
  • I wonder why …

Talk to a family member about the poem to help you organize your thinking.

Other Opportunities: