POETRY LESSON
Wildflower Children

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Wildflower Children
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 323

Poem Summary
This book is a series of poems about various types of wildflowers illustrated to look like children. Charming illustrations accompany each poem. Approximate book level: U.

Introduce the Poem
Show children the cover of the book. Quickly flip through the pages to show each illustration. Explain to children that you are going to read some poems. Ask what they think the poems might be about from looking at the illustrations.

Elicit Prior Knowledge
Ask children about some of their favorite poems. Ask if they know what a rhyme is. Have a discussion about rhyme and poetry. Use nursery rhymes and Dr. Seuss books as references. Explain that even song lyrics are a kind of poetry, and that rhythm often plays a large role in poetry.

Next, have a discussion about the differences between flowers in a garden and flowers that grow in the wild. Explain that we plant flowers in the garden and we have to take care of them. Wildflowers grow in nature without help from humans. Ask: Do you ever see flowers growing in nature?

Before Reading
Invite children to ask questions as you read, especially if there is something they do not understand. Tell them to listen to the rhythm of the poems. Have them try to tap to the "beat" as you read aloud.

During the Reading
Be sure to read with expression. Pause occasionally and ask questions of children. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the poems by asking questions and showing emotional responses such as surprise and laughter. Exaggerate the rhyming words in the poems.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask children what they thought of the poems. Ask them to describe their favorite poem.

Ask a volunteer to summarize what the poems were about.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow children to demonstrate their understanding of the poems. Ask: What were the poems about?
Which of the flowers from the book is "fond of living near a stream or pond"?