POETRY LESSON
Making Spaghetti

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Making Spaghetti
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 164

Poem Summary
When Mom gets so absorbed in her book that she forgets dinner, the brother and sister in this delightful rhyme decide to cook for themselves. The older brother takes care of the pasta and sauce while the little sister sets the table. At the end, the two give their mother a wonderful surprise—a big spaghetti dinner. This poem uses simple language and familiar situations to reinforce rhyme awareness. Approximate book level: R.

Build Background
Ask students if they have ever cooked or helped someone cook. Ask volunteers to tell about their experiences preparing food, especially if they were preparing food for someone else.

Discuss poetry's rhymes and rhythms. Read the first line and ask students to come up with a word that rhymes with book. Use other familiar rhymes as references. Also explain that a poem's syllables follow a rhythm or "beat."

Preview the Poem
Show students the cover of the book and read the title. Open the book to the title page. Ask students to predict what might happen based on the information they see in the cover and title page illustrations. Go through each illustration with students. Ask them to predict what is happening on each page.

During the Reading
Allow students to stop and ask questions during reading, especially if there is something they do not understand. Emphasize the rhyme as you read. You may also ask students to clap or tap to the "beat" of the lines.

If reading aloud, be sure to read with expression. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the book with facial expressions and gestures.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poem. Have volunteers summarize the poem or name their favorite part.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poem.

• Why did Mom forget to cook?
  
• Who made the spaghetti?
  
• Did Mom like the dinner?