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in daddy’s arms
i can see over the fence out back
i can touch the bottom leaves of the big magnolia tree
in Cousin Sukie’s yard
in daddy’s arms
in my daddy’s arms
i am strong & dark like him & laughing
happier than the circus clowns
with red painted grins
when daddy spins me round & round
& the whole world is crazy upside down
i am big and strong & proud like him
in daddy’s arms
my daddy
—Folami Abiade
©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 7
Name
in daddy’s arms
Understanding the Poem
Read each question and choose the best answer. You may wish to
reread “in daddy’s arms” as you work.
8 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
in daddy’s arms
Name
2. in daddy’s arms
i can see over the fence out back
i can touch the bottom leaves of the big magnolia tree
The narrator feels taller than she really is because her father
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©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 9
Black Is Beautiful
10 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
Black Is Beautiful
Black is beautiful
Black is me
Black is the color
can’t you see
that
blue is nice,
and orange is neat
but they can’t compete
because
Black is beautiful
Black is me
Tall, dark, and wonderful
see!
—Andreya Renee Allen
©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 11
Name
Black Is Beautiful
Understanding the Poem
Read each question and choose the best answer. You may wish to
reread “Black Is Beautiful” as you work.
3. What does the poet mean when she says that blue and orange
“can’t compete”?
Å They are “loser” colors.
Ç They don’t look good together.
∏ They aren’t as beautiful as black.
´ They look as good as any other color.
12 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
Name
Black Is Beautiful
Understanding the Poem
1. List some of the words that the poet uses to describe herself.
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4. Do you think it’s important to know about your race? Why or why
not? Explain your answer.
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©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 13
My Father’s Eyes
Before You Read the Poem
Build Background
Tell students that the poem they are about to read is a very short poem about
family and cultural heritage. Sometimes poets are able to suggest a great deal of
meaning and feeling in a few words. In “My Father’s Eyes,” the poet has a vision
of her origins when looking deeply into her father’s eyes. With students, discuss the
reasons that our parents and grandparents provide such important links to our
past. On a physical level, we inherit the physical traits of our ancestors through our
parents. These traits and features form a chain with a very long history. Perhaps
more importantly, our families pass on values and customs to us from previous
generations, linking us to the past. Ask students to provide examples of the ways
our parents and caretakers impart such values. Students will explore these ideas
further on the second activity page.
14 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
My Father’s Eyes
I have looked into
my father’s eyes and seen an
african sunset.
—Sonia Sanchez
©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 15
Name
My Father’s Eyes
Understanding the Poem
Read each question and choose the best answer. You may wish to
reread “My Father’s Eyes” as you work.
16 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
Name
My Father’s Eyes
Understanding the Poem
1. Where are the poet’s ancestors from? How do you know?
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4. What are some of the things that connect you to the family
members who lived before you? Think about your physical
traits, culture, and values.
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5. What are some of the ways we pass our culture on from one
generation to the next?
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©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 17
The Land of Counterpane
18 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
The Land of
Counterpane
When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
?
Did You Know? Robert Louis Stevenson was often sick in bed for long periods of time,
just like the boy in “The Land of Counterpane.” To pass the time, he created fanciful
poems and stories. Some of his stories—Kidnapped and Treasure Island, to name just a few—
? are now classics.
©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 19
Name
The Land of Counterpane
20 Through the Eyes of a Child Read and Understand Poetry • EMC 3324 • ©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp.
Name
The Land of Counterpane
2. Read this list of everyday things. What could each of these things
look like with a little imagination?
rug ________________________________________________________
mirror ______________________________________________________
fireplace ____________________________________________________
sink ________________________________________________________
salt and pepper shakers _____________________________________
©2005 by Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3324 • Read and Understand Poetry Through the Eyes of a Child 21