Book Summary
The Meaning of Numbers illustrates eight familiar situations where numbers help to describe the event. Students learn to listen for ending rhymes as they read the poem. Illustrations support the events of the poem. Approximate book level: E.

Build Background
Ask students to explain what they know about poetry. Invite them to share favorite poems and/or poets. Explain that there are many different types of poetry. Invite students to identify types of poetry they know about. 

Discuss poetry's rhymes and rhythms. Explain to students that the lines in this poem follow an ABAB pattern--every other sentence contains ending words that rhyme. Write the word vase on the board. Invite students to identify words that rhyme with vase. Write these words on the board. Remind students that not all ending sounds of rhyming words are spelled the same. (For example, vase and race rhyme but have ending sounds that are spelled differently.)

Preview the Poem
Discuss information students already know about numbers, such as how they are used and what objects students have seen them on. Show students the front and back covers of the book and read the title. Turn to the title page. Discuss the information on the page (title, author's name, illustrator's name). Discuss the illustrations. Invite students to explain what they see in the illustrations and what they think the poem might be about. 

For detailed lessons on teaching types of poetry, click here.

During Reading
Have students listen as you read the poem. Read the poem expressively, emphasizing the words that rhyme in each pair of sentences. 

Use think-aloud strategies to remind students to use what they already know to help make sense of the poem. React to parts of the poem with facial expressions and gestures. Allow students to stop to ask questions during reading, especially if they do not understand something. Invite students to identify characteristics of poetry (it uses description, it allows a reader to see a topic in a different way, it has a beat based on syllables, and so on).

After Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poem. Have them identify and discuss their favorite part.

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

• Which number appeared on an object in the book?
• Why is The Meaning of Numbers a good title for this poetry book?
• What number has a special meaning for you and why?