Discovering Language Through Poetry

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• Why is a lesson about poetry talking about pets?

Because poems can be about anything, even wanting a dog!

Print out the poem "Mother Doesn't Want a Dog" by Judith Viorst, and read it out loud one time.

Then, read it again, looking for unfamiliar words. Underline those words and look them up in the dictionary.

Think about the following questions.

• Does the speaker want a dog?
• Why do you think the speaker's mother does not want to get a dog?
• What bad things does the speaker's mother think the dog will do?
• With whom do you agree, the speaker or her mother? Why?

Read the poem again if you need help with the answers.

• Did you like the poem?
• If so, what made it enjoyable? If not, what would have made it more enjoyable?

Now, move to the Got It? section to look at some of the vocabulary and patterns in the poem.