Teachers and Other Pests – Grade 7 Poetry Anthology
The Key Terms for Poetic Devices used in this Anthology are:
1.
Alliteration
The repetition of words beginning with the same sound.
2.
Alternate
Couplet
Two lines that rhyme that have an un-rhymed line between them.
3.
Couplet
Two lines next to each other that rhyme or chime.
4.
Imagery
Words and phrases that are used in literature to create clear pictures
in our minds. You can also have sound taste and smell imagery.
5.
Internal Rhyme
Words inside the lines of a poem that have similar sounds.
6.
Line
The group of words on the same line.
7.
Repetition
Where a word or phrase in a poem is repeated.
8.
Rhyme
Words at the end of lines in a poem that have similar sounds.
9.
Rhythm
A strong pattern of beats or sounds in a poem.
10.
Tone
The general mood or atmosphere created by the poem.
11.
Simile
Where an object or a person is compared to a similar object often
with the word ‘Like’ or ‘as’.
12.
Stanza
A series of lines in a poem that are grouped together.
13.
Structure
The organization of the component parts or defining features of a
poem. This includes poetic devices such as stanzas, rhyme scheme,
alliteration and simile.
1
Vocabulary:
Engulfed: to swallow up or submerge.
Exudes: to ooze out gradually.
Immersed: surrounded by a liquid
Granite: a type of very hard rock.
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme - Alternate Couplet
 Line
 Simile
 Imagery
The Aliens Have Landed!
by Kenn Nesbitt
The aliens have landed!
It's distressing, but they're here.
They piloted their flying saucer
through our atmosphere.
They landed like a meteor
engulfed in smoke and flame.
Then out they climbed
immersed in slime
and burbled as they came.
Their hands are greasy tentacles.
Their heads are weird machines.
Their bodies look like cauliflower
and smell like dead sardines.
Their blood is liquid helium.
Their eyes are made of granite.
Their breath exudes the stench of foods
from some unearthly planet.
And if you want to see these
sickly, unattractive creatures,
you'll find them working in your school;
they all got jobs as teachers.
2
Vocabulary:
Prescribed: to order the use of a medicine.
Flunked: failed.
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme -Alternate Couplet
 Line
 Imagery
 Alliteration
A Bad Case of the Sneezes
by Bruce Lansky
Last night I had the sneezes.
I was really very ill.
My mother called the doctor
who prescribed a purple pill.
At eight o'clock I went to bed.
My mom turned out the light.
I used up one whole box of Kleenex
sneezing through the night.
I sneezed my brains out in my bed.
I didn't get much rest.
So that's the reason, teacher,
that I flunked the spelling test.
3
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme -Alternate Couplet
 Line
 Rhythm
 Tone
Freddie
by Phil Bolsta
I don't like doing homework.
I know that it will bore me.
But now I am much happier
'Cause Freddie does it for me!
He greets me at the door each day
When I come home from school.
He just can't wait to read my booksI think that's pretty cool.
I give him all my homework,
Like history and math.
And when he's done I give him
A nice warm bubble bath!
My grades are so much better now,
Which makes my parents glad.
Freddie is the smartest dog
That I have ever had!
4
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme - Couplet
 Line
 Imagery
 Tone
Get Out of Bed!
by Diane Z. Shore
"Get out of bed, you silly fool!
Get up right now, it's time for school.
If you don't dress without a fuss,
I'll throw you naked on the bus!"
"Oh, Mom, don't make me go today.
I'm feeling worse than yesterday.
You don't know what I'm going through.
I've got a strange, rare case of flu.
"My body aches, my throat is sore.
I'm sure I'm knocking on death's door.
You can't send me to school-achoo!'Cause everyone could get it, too.
"Besides, the kids despise me there.
They always tease and always stare.
And all the teachers know my name.
When something's wrong, it's me they blame."
"You faked a headache yesterday.
Don't pull that stuff on me today.
Stop acting like a silly foolThe principal cannot skip school!"
5
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme - Couplet
 Internal Rhyme
 Line
 Repetition
Homework, I Love You
by Kenn Nesbitt
Homework, I love you. I think that you’re great.
It’s wonderful fun when you keep me up late.
I think you’re the best when I’m totally stressed,
preparing and cramming all night for a test.
Homework, I love you. What more can I say?
I love to do hundreds of problems each day.
You boggle my mind and you make me go blind,
but still I’m ecstatic that you were assigned.
Homework, I love you. I tell you, it’s true.
There’s nothing more fun or exciting to do.
You’re never a chore, for it’s you I adore.
I wish that our teacher would hand you out more.
Homework, I love you. You thrill me inside.
I’m filled with emotions. I’m fit to be tied.
I cannot complain when you frazzle my brain.
Of course, that’s because I’m completely insane.
6
Vocabulary:
Porcupine: a rodent covered
with stiff, sharp, spines.
The Key Devices used in this
poem are:
 Stanza
 Rhyme -Alternate Couplet
 Line
 Alliteration
 Imagery
There's a New Cook in the Cafeteria
by Bruce Lansky
Good morning, staff and students.
We have a brand new cook.
And that's why our lunch menu
will have a brand new look.
To make a good impression,
our cook's prepared a treat:
your choice of lazy lizard soup
or deep-fried monkey meat.
If you're a vegetarian,
we have good news today:
she's serving pickled porcupine
and jellyfish soufflé.
And for dessert our cook has made
a recipe from France:
I'm sure you'll all want secondsof chocolate-covered ants.
I hope you like this gourmet feast.
I hope you won't complain.
But if you do we'll have to bring
our old cook back again.
7