by Marchette Chute
by Rhoda W. Bacmeister
Genre: Poem
Poetic Element: Alliteration
Comprehension Strategy: Visualize
Think-Aloud Copying Master number 3
Before Reading
Genre: Tell children that the poems they will listen to describe what rain
sounds like and what it feels like to move on ice. Tell children that poets
paint a picture of something by using just a few interesting and unusual
words. Some poems use alliteration or words beginning with the same
sound.
Expand Vocabulary: Before reading these two poems, introduce these words:
squelch: to crush, smash, or squeeze
skid: to slide out of control
crust: a crisp outer layer
Set a Purpose for Reading: As children listen to the poems, tell them to
close their eyes and focus on what rain sounds like and how snow and ice
feel. Have them listen for alliteration.
During Reading
Read through the poems the first time without interruptions, using an
expressive tone to emphasize the alliteration. The Think Aloud and genre
note may be used during subsequent readings.
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by Marchette Chute
Squelch and squirt and squiggle,
Drizzle and drip and drain—
Such a lot of water
Comes down with the rain!¹
by Rhoda W. Bacmeister
I slip and I slide
On the slippery ice;
I skid and I glide—
Oh, isn’t it nice
To lie on your tummy
And slither and skim
On the slick crust of snow
Where you skid as you swim?
¹I was able to picture in
my mind a rainy day
with drops dripping off
everything because of all
those describing words in
the poem.
Genre Study
Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition
of consonant sounds
usually at the beginning of words, is often
used in poems. Saying
the same sounds
several times makes
the reader focus more
on the words he or she
is reading.
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After Reading
Retell: Invite children to draw a picture to retell the rain poem, and one
for the icy poem. Encourage children to describe their drawings using
alliteration.
Use Copying Master number 3 to prompt
children to share how they visualized each
poem.
“I was able
to picture in
my mind . . .”
Think and Respond
1. How do you think the author feels about ice? Why? Possible response: She likes
it and thinks it is fun because she talks about sliding and playing on it. Analytical
2. How are these two poems like other poems you have listened to such as “Hide
and Seek Shadow” and “My Shadow”? Possible responses: They all have rhyming
words. The words form a rhythm pattern. Genre
3. Why do you think these two authors want you to read these poems? Possible
response: These poems are fun to listen to and read aloud. Author’s Purpose
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