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.
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: I Bet I Can
Jumping with Friends: The Kangaroo, the Goat, and the Hawk
A playful Kangaroo meets a curious Goat and a friendly Hawk, and they all jump and have fun together, creating a lasting friendship.
Talk about it 1. Who are the main characters in the story? 2. What did the Kangaroo love to do? 3. Why did the Goat suggest taking a nap? 4. How did the Hawk help the Kangaroo and the Goat have fun? 5. How did the Kangaroo, the Goat, and the Hawk become friends? 6. What is the moral of the story? 7. Can you think of a time when you had fun jumping with your friends?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Maria Joins the Team
The Baseball Adventure
The Baseball Adventure" is a story about a group of kids who form a baseball team and embark on a fun-filled journey to learn the game and work together as a team.
Talk about it 1. What did the coach teach the kids about playing baseball? 2. How did the shortstop play a key role in the game? 3. What are some ways that the team had to work together in order to win? 4. Did you learn anything new about baseball from the story? 5. What was your favorite part of "The Baseball Adventure" and why?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: My Day
Lost in the Woods
A group of friends get lost while hiking in the woods and must work together to find their way back to safety.
Talk about it 1. What would you do if you were lost in the woods with your friends? 2. Why do you think it's important to stick together when hiking in the woods? 3. What are some important items or tools you should bring with you when hiking to avoid getting lost? 4. How would you feel if you were lost in the woods, and how would you stay calm and focused on finding your way back? 5. What can you do to prevent getting lost while hiking in the woods?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: New Rule
The Great Hide-and-Seek Adventure
A group of friends play an exciting game of hide-and-seek, searching for each other in new places while sharing the fun and overcoming hunger together.
Talk about it 1. What game did the group of friends play in the story? 2. Did they all follow the same rule when playing hide-and-seek? 3. Did the kids have fun searching for their friends in new places they've never been before? 4. Was there a time when someone said they were hungry? How did they handle it? 5. Why is it important to share with others when they're in need, like when someone is hungry?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Pedros Burro
Brave Burro and the Frog at the Well
A burro overcomes his fear of a frog at the well and gathers water for his owner in a little village.
Talk about it 1. How did the burro feel when he saw the frog at the well? 2. What did the burro do to overcome his fear of the frog? 3. What did the burro's owner think of his bravery? 4. What lesson did the burro learn from his experience at the well? 5. Can you think of a time when you were scared, and how did you overcome your fear?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Places People Live1
The Adventures of Stick and the Secret Cave
A child finds entertainment and solace in a stick, goes on various adventures and eventually discovers a secret cave to call their own.
Talk about it 1. What was the child's favorite toy in the story? 2. Where did the child find the secret cave? 3. What did the child do in the cave? 4. How did the stick float in the air? 5. Can you think of some other adventures the child might have had with their stick?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Signs Are Everywhere
Signs of Safety: A Road Adventure for Kids
Signs of Safety: A Road Adventure for Kids" is a fun and educational story that teaches young children about road safety and the importance of paying attention to signs while playing on winding roads.
Talk about it 1. What are some of the signs the kids saw on the winding roads, and what did they mean? 2. Why is it important to be aware of the signs and warnings around us, especially when we're playing or exploring new places? 3. How did the kids make sure they stayed safe while playing on the roads, and what can we do to make sure we stay safe when we're outside? 4. What did the kids learn from their adventure on the winding roads, and how can we apply those lessons to other aspects of our lives? 5. What are some other ways we can be responsible and cautious when we're exploring new places or trying out new activities?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Camel and the Pig
Camel's Jumping Victory
This is a story about a tall and proud camel who wins a bet with a short and sweet pig by jumping the highest.
Talk about it Here are a few questions that can be asked to encourage children to think about the story: 1. What was the bet that the camel and the pig made? 2. Why was the camel so confident that he would win the bet? 3. How did the camel feel after winning the bet? 4. Why do you think the pig was happy even though he lost the bet? 5. Do you think the camel and the pig became good friends after the bet? Why or why not?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Food We Eat1
The Magic Garden Adventure
Two siblings discover a magical garden and go on an adventure filled with wonder and danger.
Talk about it 1. What did the siblings find when they entered the garden? 2. What was the magical power of the garden? 3. What were some of the dangers the siblings faced during their adventure? 4. How did the siblings work together to overcome challenges in the garden? 5. What was your favorite part of the story and why?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Legend of Nian
The Dancing Dragon: A Chinese New Year Adventure
In "The Dancing Dragon: A Chinese New Year Adventure," children are amazed by a dragon's dance but also scared by its noise, until they realize the dragon is just having fun and learn to celebrate the holiday with joy and cheer.
Talk about it Here are some questions to ask kids to help them think about "The Dancing Dragon: A Chinese New Year Adventure": 1. What did you think of the dragon's dance? 2. Why were the children scared of the dragon's noise at first? 3. How did the children feel when they realized the dragon was just having fun? 4. What was your favorite part of the story, and why? 5. What did you learn about Chinese New Year from this story? 6. If you could ride a dragon's back, where would you go and what would you do? 7. What are some traditions you have in your family to celebrate special holidays? 8. Have you ever been scared of something at first, but then realized it was actually fun or exciting? 9. What do you think the dragon symbolizes in Chinese culture? 10. If you could celebrate Chinese New Year in China, what would you want to do and see?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Little Red Hen
The Busy Gardener and the Baking Apprentice
The Busy Gardener and the Baking Apprentice" is a sweet story about a young girl who learns the value of hard work and the joy of creating something delicious with her mother.
Talk about it 1. What did the little girl and her mother do together in the story? 2. How did the little girl feel when her mother gave her some flour to make a cake? 3. What did the little girl learn from her mother in the story? 4. Why do you think it's important to work hard and be patient when planting a garden? 5. Have you ever baked something with someone in your family? What did you make?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Queen Ants Birthday
The Forest Surprise
In "The Forest Surprise," a group of worker bees create a delicious treat to share with their animal friends, spreading joy and friendship throughout the forest.
Talk about it 1. What did the worker bees make for their animal friends? 2. How did the other animals react when they tried the surprise? 3. What did the guard bees do while the other animals were eating the surprise? 4. How did the queen bee encourage sharing and friendship in the forest? 5. What other surprises do you think the worker bees could make for their animal friends in the future?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: The Spiders Web
The Little Spider's Sticky Web
This is a story about a unique and skilled little spider who weaves a sticky web to catch her prey, and teaches young readers that every creature has a purpose.
Talk about it 1. What is the spider's job? 2. What is special about the spider's web? 3. How does the spider catch its prey? 4. Why shouldn't we be scared of spiders? 5. What does the story teach us about the importance of every creature?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: This Is a Bird
A Frozen Mall: A Tale of Penguins, Ducks, and Other Creatures
This is a heartwarming tale of different animals living in harmony in a frozen mall, where they all have their own unique qualities and roles to play.
Talk about it 1. What kind of animals lived in the frozen mall in the story? 2. What was unique about each of the animals in the story? 3. How did the animals get along with each other in the frozen mall? 4. Why is it important for different animals to have a place they can call home? 5. What did you learn from the story about the different animals and their characteristics?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Time of Day
The Adventure of the Lost Kitten
The Adventure of the Lost Kitten" is a heartwarming tale about a young girl who sets out to find her missing kitten and discovers the kindness of strangers along the way.
Talk about it 1. How did the little girl feel when she realized her kitten was missing? 2. What did the little girl do to try and find her kitten? 3. What obstacles did the little girl face on her journey to find her kitten? 4. How did the people she met on her journey help her? 5. What did the little girl learn about kindness and helping others? 6. What would you do if you found a lost kitten or pet? 7. Why is it important to help others and be kind?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Troll Bridge
The Grumpy Troll's Game of Toss
The Grumpy Troll's Game of Toss" is a story about a little boy who helps a grumpy troll fix his bad mood by challenging him to a game of toss.
Talk about it 1. How did the little boy, Billy Goat, help the grumpy troll in the story? 2. What did the troll like to do before he played a game of toss with Billy Goat? 3. How did the troll's mood change after playing the game of toss with Billy Goat? 4. What are some ways that you could help someone who is feeling grumpy or sad? 5. Do you think it's important to try to make new friends, even if they seem grumpy at first? Why or why not?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: What in the World Is That
The Unique and Fascinating Platypus: Appreciating and Understanding an Unconventional Animal
The paragraph describes the unique physical characteristics and behavior of the platypus, and emphasizes the importance of appreciating and being kind to animals, even if they seem strange or different.
Talk about it 1. What are some unique features of the platypus that make it different from other animals? 2. Why is it important to appreciate and be kind to animals, even if they may seem strange or different to us? 3. What does it mean for the platypus to be "true to its nature" and "living life to the fullest every day"?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Whose Eggs Are These1
Appreciating the Wonders of Nature: The Diversity of Creatures in Our World
The poem describes the diverse range of creatures in the world, from frogs and spiders to sharks and whales, and encourages us to appreciate and cherish them all.
Talk about it 1. What types of creatures live in the world, according to the poem? 2. Can you name some animals that have feathers and some that can hop? 3. Can you describe the spider's behavior as mentioned in the poem? 4. What is the difference between tadpoles and frogs? 5. Why do you think the author is urging us to cherish all creatures, big and small?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary G: Why Do Leaves Change Color
The Magical Garden Adventure
When a curious young girl ventures into a mysterious garden, she discovers a magical world full of wonder and enchantment.
Talk about it 1. What was your favorite part of the story, and why? 2. What did the young girl discover in the magical garden, and how did she feel about it? 3. Have you ever gone on an adventure like the young girl did in the story? Where did you go, and what did you discover? 4. What would you do if you found yourself in a magical garden like the one in the story? 5. Why do you think it's important to explore new places and try new things, like the young girl did in the story?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary H: A Desert Counting Book
The Adventures of Explorers in the Arizona Desert
A group of explorers embark on an adventure in the Arizona desert, encountering various animals and learning important lessons along the way.
Talk about it 1. What animals did the explorers encounter in the Arizona desert? 2. What were some of the lessons the explorers learned during their adventure? 3. What was your favorite part of the story and why? 4. If you could explore any desert in the world, which one would you choose and why? 5. How would you describe the Arizona desert based on the story?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary H: Anna and the Dancing Goose
The Dancing Girl and Her Music Box
The Dancing Girl and Her Music Box" is a tale about a young girl named Lily who loves to dance to the beat of her music box, bringing joy to herself and those around her.
Talk about it 1. What did Lily love to do in the story, and what did she use to do it? 2. How did Lily feel when she danced, and how did it make others feel? 3. Did Lily only dance when she was with other people, or did she also dance by herself? Why do you think that is? 4. How did the music box contribute to Lily's love for dance? 5. Do you think it's important to have a hobby or activity that you love to do, like Lily loved to dance? Why or why not?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary H: At a Touch Tank
Exploring the Enchanted Forest
A group of friends go on an adventure in the enchanted forest and discover magical creatures and a hidden treasure.
Talk about it 1. What did the friends discover in the enchanted forest? 2. Why do you think the forest was called "enchanted"? 3. What challenges did the friends face during their adventure? 4. What was your favorite part of the story, and why? 5. If you could go on an adventure in a magical forest, what would you hope to find?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary H: Blackbeard the Pirate
Pirate's Treasure Hunt and a Skeleton's Tale
A kind and adventurous pirate and his crew set sail on a treasure hunt, but instead find an old skeleton with a tale to tell, leading to the discovery of a valuable friendship.
Talk about it Here are some questions that kids might enjoy thinking about after reading "Pirate's Treasure Hunt and a Skeleton's Tale": 1. What kind of person was the pirate in the story? Was he a good pirate or a bad pirate? 2. Why do you think the pirate and his crew went on a treasure hunt? What were they hoping to find? 3. What did the pirate and his crew discover when they found the skeleton pile? How did they feel about what they found? 4. What did the story teach you about friendship? 5. Do you think it's important to be kind and good, even if you're a pirate? Why or why not?
Open reading -
Poem RAZ Vocabulary H: Brother Messy Brother Neat
The Messy Boy Who Learned to Organize
This is a story about a messy boy who learned to follow a simple rule and organize his things, making his life much easier and happier.
Talk about it 1. Why was the little boy's room always messy? 2. How did the wise old owl help the little boy organize his things? 3. Why is it important to follow rules like putting things back where they belong? 4. How did the little boy feel after he organized his room? 5. What are some other ways you can keep your things neat and organized?
Open reading