FeedWacky Wednesday: Sick by Shel Silverstein
August 20, 2009 in Silverstein, Shel, Wacky Wednesday Tags: poetry, Shel Silverstein, Sick, Wacky Wednesday
In honor of the way I feel today (which is not so great), I thought I would write about one of my very favorite wacky poems–”Sick” by Shel Silverstein. I remember this poem from my first grade teacher, Ms. Bauer, when she shared Where the Sidewalk Ends with us. As soon as I became a teacher, I had my own copies of Shel Silverstein’s books to share with my students. Children and adults are so scared of poetry, but poetry is really not that scary–especially Shel Silverstein poetry. So share it with your children, students, fellow teachers, and your favorite pets.
“Sick” is a great, funny poem with one of those twist endings. Little Peggy Ann McKay makes up several reasons why she cannot go to school today from having the mumps to a hangnail. At the end of the poem, she discovers that it is Saturday; and believe it or not, all of her illnesses just disappear. That genius Shel Silverstein does it again!
Read this poem to your students, and talk about the twist at the end. Can they think of another way the poem could end–another twist? You can also talk to them about the rhyme scheme and word choices that Silverstein made when writing this poem. Children will enjoy illustrating this poem, also.
Share your favorite Shel Silverstein poem with us! When did you first learn about this poet? Let us know in the comments below.
August 20th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I’ve always liked Shel…but a couple of months ago, I ran across his picture. Have you seen this guy??? It’s no wonder they quit putting his picture on the books!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:21 am
I haven’t seen a picture lately. You crack me up!!!!