Crumbs (Hal Sirowitz) poem

Crumbs

Don’t eat any more food in your room, Mother said. You’ll get more bugs. They depend on people like you. Otherwise, they would starve. But who do you want to make happy, your mother or a bunch of ants? What have they done for you? Nothing. They have no feelings. They’ll eat your candy. Yet you treat them better than you treat me. You keep feeding them. But you never offer me anything.

UNDERSTANDING

20Work with the poems

a) What are these poems about? Point to examples from the two texts and describe what they are about.

b) Reread the comments the mother makes to her child. Why do you think she acts this way? How would you describe her? Write at least three sentences. and use examples from the poem.

c) Choose one of the poems and draw a comic strip of four to six frames. Include wording from the poem. You could also add your own comments or headings for each frame.

d) Which of the poems do you like best? Give reasons for your opinion.

bug insekt starve sulte o er tilbyde

TALKING

21Finish the dialogue

Work with a partner. Choose one of the poems. Imagine that you are going to continue the dialogue between the mother and the child. What will they say? Write the lines. Practise with your partner and memorise the lines. Perform in front of a small group or in front of the class.

22Recite poetry

Choose one of the poems and practise reciting it. Get together in groups of four and take turns reciting the poems you have chosen. Use your body language and voice to create drama and emphasize di erent parts of the poem.

23Talk about advice

a) We have all been given advice at some point in our lives.

List some of the advice your parents, grandparents, teachers or other people have given you over the years.

Share your list with a partner. Are there any similarities?

b) What would be the best advice you would give to your parents?

Good advice can be anything from brushing your teeth to making important choices in your life.

WRITING

24Write a poem

Use your list of advice from task 23 to write your own poem in the same style as Crumbs and No More Birthdays. Expose and share your poems in class.