ELEMENTARY SPEECH 6TH GRADE POETRY Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 2 Contents Introduction 3 Marco Comes Late 23 The Ant and the Cricket 4 Mother’s Glasses 24 Barbara Frietchie (pronounced “Frichee”) 5 Mother’s Ugly Hands 25 The Blind Men and the Elephant 6 Nathan Hale 26 Castor Oil 7 One, Two, Three 27 The Children’s Hour 8 Peace Hymn of the Republic 28 Columbus 9 Problem Child 29 The Country Mouse and the City Mouse 10 A Psalm of Life 30 The Cross Was His Own 11 The Real Successes 31 Daniel Boone 12 The Sandpiper 32 The Dreams 13 The Scoffer 33 The Dying Father 14 The Singer’s Revenge 34 The House with Nobody in It 15 The Spider and the Fly 35 How Do You Tackle Your Work? 16 The Story of Albrecht Dürer 36 If 17 Thanksgiving 37 In Times Like These 18 To the Flag 38 The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers 19 To the Humble 39 Live Christmas Every Day 20 Vacation Time 40 The Lost Purse 21 The Village Blacksmith 41 Ma and the Auto 22 When Pa Comes Home 42 Please note: These are not required poems, but examples of acceptable material. Comparable pieces may be chosen from other sources if approved by school coordinator. © 2013, Association of Christian Schools International Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 3 Introduction The ACSI regional office is here to help you in every way possible. Please don’t hesitate to call for assistance. Copyright © 2013 by ACSI All rights reserved. No portion of this handbook may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise— without the permission of ACSI. For the purpose of preparing students for their event, ACSI grants permission to ACSI member schools (who are registered through an ACSI regional office to participate in a district student activity event) to reproduce the materials contained in this document as necessary to prepare for the afore mentioned event. These pages are marked with "Permission granted to reproduce", and are limited to one copy per student or volunteer. These files may NOT be posted to any school website. Member schools should contact their regional office for instructions regarding supplying study materials to parents. © 2013, Association of Christian Schools International Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 4 The Ant and the Cricket A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow. Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer Says the ant to the cricket, “I’m your servant and friend, and spring, But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend, Began to complain when he found that, at home, But tell me, dear cricket, did you lay nothing by His cupboard was empty, and winter was come. When the weather was warm?” Quoth the cricket, Not a crumb to be found “Not I! On the snow-covered ground; My heart was so light Not a flower could he see, That I sang day and night, Not a leaf on a tree. For all nature looked gay,” “Oh, what will become,” says the cricket, “of me?” “You sang, sir, you say? At last, by starvation and famine made bold, Go, then,” says the ant, “and dance winter away!” All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold, Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket, Away he set off to a miserly ant, And out of the door he turned the poor cricket. To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant Folks call this a fable, I’ll warrant it true: Him shelter from rain, Some crickets have four legs, and some have but two. And a mouthful of grain. He wished only to borrow; —*Adapted from Aesop He’d repay it tomorrow; © 2013, Association of Christian Schools International | Permission granted to reproduce Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 5 Barbara Frietchie (pronounced “Frichee”) The poem “Barbara Frietchie ” was written about an event that was supposed to have taken place during the War Between the States. Part of General Lee— Confederate forces, under General Stonewall Jackson, marched through Frederick, Maryland, on their way to Harper‘s Ferry. The legend of what Barbara Frietchie did on that day has been written many times. John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem is the best remembered. The patriotic cry of Barbara Frietchie is a symbol of love of country. The gallant behavior of General Stonewall Jackson is a symbol of respect. The Scripture says, “They that be wise ... shall shine as the star.” The poet likens Stonewall Jackson and Barbara Frietchie to: “Stars below in Frederick town! ” Up from the meadows rich with corn, Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff Clear in the cool September morn, Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf; The clustered spires of Frederick stand She leaned far out on the window-sill, Green-walled by the hills of Maryland. And shook it forth with a royal will. Round about them orchards sweep, “Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, Apple and peach tree fruited deep, But spare your country’s flag,” she said. Fair as the garden of the Lord A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, To the eyes of the famished rebel horde, Over the face of the leader came, On that pleasant mom of the early fall The nobler nature within him stirred When Lee marched over the mountain wall,— To life at that woman’s deed and word: Over the mountain, winding down, “Who touches a hair of yon gray head Horse and foot into Frederick town. Dies like a dog! March on!” he said. Forty flags with their silver stars, All day long through Frederick street Forty flags with their crimson bars, Sounded the tread of marching feet: Flapped in the morning wind; the sun All day long that free flag tost Of noon looked down, and saw not one. Over the head of the rebel host. Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Ever its tom folds rose and fell Bowed with her fourscore years and ten; On the loyal winds that loved it well; Bravest of all in Frederick town, And through the hill-gaps sunset light She took up the flag the men hauled down; Shone over it with a warm good-night. In her attic-window the staff she set, Barbara Frietchie’s work is o’er, To show that one heart was loyal yet. And the rebel rides on his raids no more. Up the street came the rebel tread, Honor to her! and let a tear Stonewall Jackson riding ahead. Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall’s bier. Under his slouched hat, left and right Over Barbara Frietchie’s grave, He glanced: the old flag met his sight. Flag of freedom and union, wave! “Halt!”—the dust-brown ranks stood fast. Peace and order and beauty draw “Fire!”—out blazed the rifle-blast. Round thy symbol of light and law; It shivered the window, pane and sash; And ever the stars above look down It rent the banner with seam and gash. On thy stars below in Frederick town! —John Greenleaf Whittier © 2013, Association of Christian Schools International | Permission granted to reproduce Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 6 The Blind Men and the Elephant It was six men of Indostan The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, To learning much inclined, Said: “E’en the blindest man Who went to see the Elephant Can tell what this resembles most; (Though all of them were blind), Deny the fact who can, That each by observation This marvel of an Elephant Might satisfy his mind. Is very like a fan!” The First approached the Elephant, The Sixth no sooner had begun And happening to fall About the beast to grope, Against his broad and sturdy side, Than, seizing on the swinging tail At once began to bawl: That fell within his scope, “God bless me! But the Elephant “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a wall!” Is very like a rope!” The Second, feeling of the tusk, And so these men of Indostan Cried “Ho! what have we here Disputed loud and long, So very round and smooth and sharp? Each in his own opinion To me ‘tis mighty clear Exceeding stiff and strong, This wonder of an Elephant Though each was partly in the right, Is very like a spear!” And all were in the wrong! The Third approached the animal, MORAL. And happening to take So oft in theologic wars, The squirming trunk within his hands, The disputants, I ween, Thus boldly up and spake; Rail on in utter ignorance “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Of what each other mean, Is very like a snake!” And prate about an Elephant The Fourth reached out an eager hand No one of them has seen! And felt about the knee. —John Godftey Sax “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he, ‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!” © 2013, Association of Christian Schools International | Permission granted to reproduce Student Activities 6th Grade Poetry Handbook 7 Castor Oil I don’t mind lickin’s, now an’then, An’ I can even stand it when My mother calls me in from play To run some errand right away. There’s things ‘bout bein’just a boy That ain’t all happiness an’joy, But I suppose I’ve got to stand My share o’ trouble in this land, An’ I ain’t kickin’ much—but, say, The worst of parents is that they Don’t realize just how they spoil A feller’s life with castor oil.