Yahaaa · Reading
Poems for the classroom
Short poems for reading aloud, noticing rhythm, and talking about meaning. 2,055 on the shelf, each with a discussion question.
-
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Scaredy Crow
The Scarecrow and the Farmer's Fields
The Scarecrow and the Farmer's Fields" is a poem that tells the story of a farmer, a scarecrow, and their efforts to protect their cornfields from crows and the wind.
Talk about it 1. Who was the main character in the story? 2. What was the scarecrow's job? 3. What did the farmer use to plant his crops? 4. What happened to the scarecrow when the wind blew? 5. Why did the little birds get scared of the scarecrow? 6. How did the farmer reassure the little birds that the scarecrow wouldn't harm them? 7. What do you think the farmer did with the corn after it was harvested? 8. What is the importance of a scarecrow in a farm? 9. How does the wind affect the growth of crops? 10. Have you ever seen a scarecrow in a field?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Smart Crows
Tools and Friends: Adventures in Imagination
This is a story about a group of kids who use tools, problem-solving, and friendship to embark on imaginative adventures, while also learning the importance of safety and protecting those around them.
Talk about it 1. What kind of tools did the kids use in their adventures and what did they create with them? 2. How did the kids make sure they were protected while using their tools and going on their adventures? 3. What kind of problems did the kids face in their adventures, and how did they solve them? 4. What was the role of the dog in the story, and how did he help the kids? 5. Why is it important to protect ourselves and others while having fun and going on adventures? 6. How did the kids' imagination help them in their adventures? 7. What did the kids learn about the importance of teamwork and friendship?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Some Birds Go
The Little Seed's Big Adventure
A tiny seed journeys through various obstacles and learns about growth and resilience along the way.
Talk about it 1. What did the little seed learn from its journey? 2. How did the little seed change throughout the story? 3. What obstacles did the little seed face, and how did it overcome them? 4. What are some real-life examples of things that need to face challenges to grow, just like the little seed did? 5. If you were the little seed, what would you have done differently during your journey?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: SuperZero
The Stronger Doughnut
The Stronger Doughnut" is a tale about a boy who learns a valuable lesson about resilience and strength from a baker who helps him overcome disappointment by creating a special doughnut that is stronger and better than any he has ever tasted before.
Talk about it Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story: 1. What did the boy want to buy from the bakery, and how many did he want? 2. What did the baker do to help the boy when he found out there were no doughnuts left? 3. How did the baker make the doughnut stronger? 4. What did the boy think of the doughnut after he tried it? 5. What is the lesson that the boy learned from the story? 6. Have you ever had to deal with disappointment? How did you handle it? 7. How can you be stronger, even when things don't go the way you want them to?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Taste This
The Lost Key Adventure
When a young girl loses the key to her grandmother's treasure chest, she embarks on an adventure with her best friend to find it and discovers the true value of friendship.
Talk about it 1. How do you think the young girl felt when she lost the key to her grandmother's treasure chest? 2. Why do you think the girl decided to embark on an adventure to find the key instead of giving up? 3. What did the girl learn about the importance of friendship during her adventure with her best friend? 4. How would the story be different if the girl didn't have a best friend to help her on the adventure? 5. What other kinds of adventures do you think the girl and her best friend might have in the future?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Thank You Everyone
Title: The Farmer's Thanksgiving Harvest
A hardworking farmer, with the help of his team, harvests a bountiful crop and expresses his gratitude towards them during Thanksgiving.
Talk about it 1. Who is the main character in the story, and what is he doing throughout the story? 2. What happens to the farmer while he is working in the field? 3. What is the significance of Thanksgiving in the story, and why is it important to the farmer? 4. Who are the other people that help the farmer in his work, and why is it important to acknowledge their contributions? 5. What is the moral of the story, and what can we learn from the farmer's attitude towards hard work and gratitude?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: The Three Little Pigs
The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf: Blow and Huff
The Three Little Pigs use their wits and strength to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf and keep their homes safe in a tale of caution, resilience, and determination.
Talk about it Here are a few questions that kids can think about after reading the story: 1. How did the little pigs use their different houses to protect themselves from the wolf? 2. Why do you think the wolf was trying to get inside the pigs' houses? 3. What do you think the pigs learned from their experience with the wolf? 4. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to use your strength or wits to protect yourself or someone else? 5. What would you have done if you were in the pigs' situation?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: The Tortoise and the Hare
Title: The Hare and the Tortoise's Race
The story "The Hare and the Tortoise's Race" is about how slow and steady wins the race, as the tortoise ends up victorious over the boastful hare.
Talk about it Here are some questions that can help kids think about the story: 1. Why was the hare so confident that he could beat the tortoise in a race? 2. What did the tortoise do differently than the hare during the race? 3. What did the hare do that caused him to lose the race? 4. How did the tortoise feel when he won the race? 5. What is the moral of the story? 6. Can you think of a time when slow and steady helped you accomplish something? 7. Can you think of a time when being too overconfident caused you to make a mistake? 8. If you were the hare, what would you do differently to win the race? 9. If you were the tortoise, how would you feel about beating the hare? 10. Can you think of another story where the moral is similar to this one?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Trucking
The Magical Forest Adventure
A young girl named Lily goes on an adventurous journey through a magical forest with the help of a friendly deer to find a way to save her sick grandmother.
Talk about it 1. Who is the main character of the story, and what is she trying to do? 2. What is the magical forest like, and what kind of creatures does Lily meet there? 3. How does the deer help Lily on her journey, and what does she learn from him? 4. What challenges does Lily face on her adventure, and how does she overcome them? 5. What happens when Lily reaches the end of her journey, and how does it help her save her grandmother? 6. What message do you think the story is trying to convey, and how does it apply to real life? 7. If you could go on a magical adventure like Lily, where would you go and what kind of creatures would you want to meet?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Two for Me One for You
The title for this story could be "Sharing is Caring".
A group of friends learn to share and work together after a fight over toys, realizing that the result is always better when they put their differences aside.
Talk about it Here are some questions to ask kids to think about the story: 1. How did the friends feel when they were arguing over the pile of toys? 2. What did the friends realize when they decided to split the pile of toys equally? 3. What happened to the pile of toys when the friends worked together to share them? 4. Why do you think sharing is important? 5. Can you think of a time when you had to share with someone else? How did it make you feel?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Where Is Cub
The Missing Cub: A Honey-Fueled Adventure
A mama bear searches for her missing cub with the help of a trail of honey, and is ultimately reunited with her little one in a heartwarming adventure in the forest.
Talk about it 1. How do you think Mama Bear felt when her cub was missing? 2. What do you think would have happened if the bee didn't help Mama Bear find her cub? 3. Have you ever been lost or felt worried like Mama Bear did? 4. How did the honey help Mama Bear find her cub? 5. What lesson did you learn from the story?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Where Is Cub1
The Sweet Treat and the Sly Fox
The Sweet Treat and the Sly Fox" is a story about a fox who, while searching for food, learns the value of kindness and sharing with others.
Talk about it 1. What kind of animal was the main character in the story, and what did he like to do? 2. How did the fox find the honey, and who did he meet on his journey? 3. What lesson did the fox learn about sharing and kindness? 4. Can you think of a time when you had to share something with someone else, and how did it make you feel? 5. If you were in the story, which animal do you think you would be, and why?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary F: Where Is Cub2
The Search for My Missing Raccoon Friend
The Search for My Missing Raccoon Friend" is a story about a worried child who sets out to find their missing raccoon friend and learns the value of perseverance and friendship.
Talk about it Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story: 1. How did the child feel when they realized their raccoon friend was missing? 2. Why do you think the child was so determined to find their friend? 3. What did the child learn about perseverance and friendship during their search? 4. Have you ever lost something or someone important to you? How did you feel, and what did you do to try and find it or them? 5. If you were the raccoon in the story, how would you have felt when you were lost and trying to find your way back to your friend?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: All Kinds of Homes
The Strange and the Same: A Tale of Two Neighbors
The Strange and the Same: A Tale of Two Neighbors" is a children's poem about embracing differences and finding friendship in unexpected places.
Talk about it 1. How was the strange neighbor's apartment different from the other apartments in the building? 2. What made the children stop and stall in front of the strange neighbor's door? 3. How was the apartment next door the same and different from the strange neighbor's apartment? 4. Why is it important to embrace differences and make friends with people who are different from us? 5. Have you ever made friends with someone who was different from you? How did it feel to get to know them?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Animal Eyes
Let's Explore the World of Creatures
The paragraph is a poem inviting children to explore and discover the world of creatures big and small, emphasizing the wonders and magic of nature.
Talk about it 1. What creatures can we see in the world around us? 2. What are some of the things that make animals wondrous and magical? 3. Can you describe the lizard and owl mentioned in the poem? How are they different from each other? 4. What is the spider doing in the poem? Why do you think it's not scared? 5. What do you think the author is trying to convey about the world around us and the adventures we can have?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Beanie and the Missing Bear
The Mystery of the Moving Chair
A young child discovers a strange mystery involving their sister and a moving chair.
Talk about it 1. What was the strange mystery that the child discovered in the story? 2. Why did the chair move on its own when the child's sister was not around? 3. How did the child feel about the mystery, and what did they do when they discovered it? 4. Do you think the child and their sister shared any other secrets or mysteries? 5. What would you do if you discovered a strange mystery like this one?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Billy Gets Lost
Title: The Adventures of the Little Boy on the Farm
A little boy on a farm explores the fields and chases chickens before returning home to rest and dream.
Talk about it Here are a few questions that kids can think about after reading the story: 1. Where does the little boy live and what does he like to do? 2. What does the little boy do when he explores the fields on the farm? 3. Why does the little boy run back home before nightfall? 4. What does the little boy do when he gets back to his house? 5. Have you ever visited a farm or seen animals like the ones on the little boy's farm?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Chess
Pawn's Determination: A Chess Adventure
In "Pawn's Determination: A Chess Adventure," a pawn's courage and determination leads it to victory in a game of chess against more powerful opponents.
Talk about it Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story: 1. What was the game being played in the story, and how was it played? 2. What kind of character traits did the pawn exhibit throughout the story, and how did they help it to win the game? 3. How did the other chess pieces react to the pawn's transformation into a queen, and why do you think they reacted that way? 4. What is the lesson that we can learn from the story, and how can we apply it in our own lives? 5. Have you ever had to face a difficult challenge or obstacle, and how did you overcome it?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Dogs at Work1
A Brave Adventure in the Enchanted Forest
In "A Brave Adventure in the Enchanted Forest," a group of friends must use their wit and courage to navigate through a magical forest filled with obstacles and unexpected surprises.
Talk about it 1. What do you think the friends learned from their adventure in the enchanted forest? 2. What was your favorite obstacle or surprise that the friends encountered on their journey? 3. If you could visit an enchanted forest, what kind of creatures or magical things would you like to see? 4. How did the friends work together to overcome the challenges they faced? 5. Did you feel scared or excited for the friends while reading the story? Why?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Going to the Dentist
The Friendly Dentist's Tool
The story is about a friendly dentist who uses his tools to help young kids overcome their fears and problems with dental care in a welcoming and positive environment.
Talk about it 1. Who is the main character of the story, and what is their job? 2. What problems do some kids have when they go to the dentist, and how does the friendly dentist help them overcome these problems? 3. What is the tool that the dentist uses, and how does it work to clean teeth and fix problems? 4. Why is it important to go to the dentist regularly, even if you don't have any problems with your teeth yet? 5. How does the dentist create a positive and welcoming environment for kids in his office?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Gordon Finds His Way
The Classroom Adventure: Learning and Fun on the Right and Left
A group of young children embark on a fun and educational adventure in their classroom, where they learn the importance of spelling, walking on stairs, and following their teacher's guidance.
Talk about it 1. What did the teacher ask the children to spell? 2. Why is it important to walk on stairs instead of running? 3. What did the children see when they entered the classroom? 4. How did the children feel at the end of the lesson? 5. What did the children learn from their adventure in the classroom?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Groundhog Goes Outside
The Magic of Friendship
The Magic of Friendship" is a heartwarming tale of two unlikely animal friends who overcome their differences and learn the true meaning of friendship.
Talk about it 1. Who are the two animal friends in the story, and what are their differences? 2. How do the two friends initially feel about each other, and what causes them to become friends? 3. What are some of the challenges that the two friends face, and how do they work together to overcome them? 4. What does the story teach us about the importance of friendship and accepting others for who they are? 5. How did the magic in the story bring the two friends closer together, and what do you think the magic symbolizes?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Grow Tomatoes in Six Steps
The Little Seedling's Big Adventure
A small seedling learns to grow into a big and fruitful tomato plant, with the help of nurturing care and patience.
Talk about it 1. What did the little seedling need to grow into a big and fruitful tomato plant? 2. How did the seedling change and grow over time? 3. What did the plant look like when it was ready to bloom? 4. What do you think the tomato tasted like when it was picked fresh from the vine? 5. What can we learn from the story about the importance of patience and nurturing care?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: How Many Rhymes
A Lame Calf's Journey with a Kind Nag
A young calf with a limp embarks on a journey with a kind-hearted nag and along the way they discover the joy of friendship and the power of rhyme.
Talk about it 1. Why do you think the calf was limping? 2. What qualities did the nag have that made her a good friend to the calf? 3. How did the calf feel during the journey with the nag? 4. Why do you think they decided to make up rhymes along the way? 5. What did the calf learn during his journey with the nag?
Open reading