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 J: Broken Arm Blues
The Karate Pod: A Tale of Adventure and Inspiration
The Karate Pod" is a story about a group of bored kids who find inspiration and adventure when they discover a bulky pod containing a book about karate moves, and how they learned to overcome their blues and fears through practicing karate.
Talk about it 1. How did the kids feel before they found the karate pod, and how did their feelings change after discovering it? 2. What did the kids learn about themselves while practicing karate, and how did it help them in other areas of their lives? 3. Do you think trying new things can help you overcome boredom or feeling down? 4. Have you ever discovered something unexpected that led to a fun adventure or new interest? 5. What are some other activities you might try when feeling bored or down, and how might they help you feel better?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Can You Say Pterodactyl1
The Little Birdie's True Friends
This is a story about a little birdie who finds true friendship in a kind squirrel and learns to embrace and share her unique qualities with the world.
Talk about it Here are a few questions that kids can think about regarding "The Little Birdie's True Friends" story: 1. How did the little birdie feel when the rude owl told her she wasn't okay? 2. What did the kind squirrel do to help the little birdie feel better? 3. What special qualities did the little birdie have that she shared with her friends? 4. Why is it important to have true friends who support and encourage us? 5. How can we help our friends feel better when they're sad or upset?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Can You Say Pterodactyl2
The Mighty Pterodactyl: A Tale of Imagination
A group of young children use their imagination to bring to life the rare and leathery creature, the pterodactyl, as they let their tongues twist and scrunch their faces up in play.
Talk about it 1. What was your favorite part of the story and why? 2. How do you think the pterodactyl would sound if it was really flying in the sky? 3. If you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why? 4. How do you think the children in the story felt when they were pretending to be pterodactyls? 5. What other creatures can you imagine using your imagination?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Changes
The Surprise Adventure in Downtown
A group of young kids go on a fun adventure in downtown, where they experience the thrill of surprises and make unforgettable memories.
Talk about it 1. What was your favorite surprise that the kids found in downtown? 2. How did the surprises make the kids feel? 3. What do you think the kids learned from their adventure in downtown? 4. Have you ever been surprised by something unexpectedly? 5. If you could plan a surprise adventure, where would you go and what would you do?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Darbys Birthday Party2
Lost Puppy Found: A Tale of Kindness and Friendship
Two young kids show kindness and friendship when they find a lost puppy and help him find his way back home.
Talk about it 1. How did the two kids show kindness and friendship when they found the lost puppy? 2. How do you think the puppy felt when he was lost, and then when he was found? 3. Why is it important to help someone in need, like the two kids helped the lost puppy? 4. What would you have done if you found a lost puppy or another animal in need of help? 5. What do you think the lost puppy and the two kids did when they were reunited with the puppy's family?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Egypt
The Adventures of Exploring Ancient Egypt
This is a tale of the wonders of Ancient Egypt, where young explorers discover pyramids, tombs, museums, deserts, pharaohs and deltas, and unravel the secrets of the past.
Talk about it 1. What do you think it would be like to explore a pyramid or tomb? 2. What would you want to see if you visited a museum in Egypt? 3. How do you think the people of Ancient Egypt were able to build such incredible structures, like the pyramids? 4. If you could meet a pharaoh from Ancient Egypt, what questions would you want to ask them? 5. What did you think about the desert and the delta in the story? Why do you think they are important to the people of Egypt?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Firefighters
The Magical Garden Adventure
A group of curious children explore a secret garden and embark on a magical adventure filled with wonder and discovery.
Talk about it 1. What did the children discover in the secret garden? 2. How did the magic in the garden change the way the children saw the world? 3. Which character did you like the most, and why? 4. What was your favorite part of the adventure, and why? 5. If you could explore a magical garden, what would you hope to find there?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Garrett Morgan and the Traffic Signal
The Buggy's Traffic Adventure in Ohio
A little buggy in Ohio learns to navigate through busy traffic and overcome a problem with the help of a new bus and a traffic signal.
Talk about it 1. What kind of problem did the little buggy face in the story? 2. How did the new bus help the little buggy to overcome the problem? 3. Why is it important to pay attention to traffic signals when crossing the road? 4. What would you do if you were in the same situation as the little buggy? 5. What other things could the little buggy have done to avoid the problem in the first place?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Going to the Art Museum
A Day of Adventure at the Museum
A group of curious children embark on a day of exploration and discovery at the museum, where they encounter art, history, and technology, learning and having fun along the way.
Talk about it 1. What was your favorite exhibit or artifact in the museum and why? 2. How did the artist's work make you feel? 3. What did you learn about the past from the costume exhibit? 4. How did the sculpture you saw make you feel, and why do you think the artist created it? 5. What did you enjoy about the computer exhibit, and how can you apply what you learned there to your daily life? 6. How did the painting make you feel, and what story did you think it was telling? 7. What did you learn about history during your visit to the museum? 8. What new thing did you learn during your day of adventure at the museum? 9. How did the museum visit inspire you to explore and learn more about art, history, and technology? 10. Would you like to visit the museum again, and what would you want to see or learn more about on your next visit?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Guess That President
The Little Boy Who Dreamed of Being President
The story is about a young boy who dreams of becoming the president, works hard in college to learn about the world and how to be fair and just, and later becomes a leader who shares his good fortune with others.
Talk about it 1. What did the little boy dream of becoming when he grew up? 2. How did the little boy prepare himself for leadership and fairness in college? 3. What did the little boy discover when he dug up a mine? 4. What did the little boy decide to do with the treasure he found in the mine? 5. How did the little boy show his leadership skills by calling the president of Russia and building a playground for kids?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Hannahs Townspeople
The Town's New Shop: A Project for All
The Town's New Shop: A Project for All" tells the story of a worker and the community coming together to build a new shop, bringing joy to the town and its shoppers.
Talk about it Here are some questions that kids can think about after reading "The Town's New Shop: A Project for All": 1. Why did the worker in the story say that they needed a new project? 2. What kind of shop did the worker and the community decide to build? 3. How did the shoppers feel about the new shop? 4. What did the community hope to achieve by building the new shop? 5. What kind of project do you think the community could start next to make their town even better?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Heroes of September 11
Wheelchair Hero to the Rescue
Wheelchair Hero to the Rescue" is a heartwarming tale about a courageous hero in a wheelchair who saves the day during an emergency, proving that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Talk about it Here are a few questions to ask kids to think about the story: 1. Who is the hero in the story, and what makes him a hero? 2. How did the hero help to rescue the people who were trapped in the emergency? 3. Why do you think it was important for the hero to use his wheelchair to save the day? 4. How do you think the people who were rescued felt about the hero? 5. Do you think anyone can be a hero, no matter what their abilities are? Why or why not? 6. What would you do if you were in an emergency situation like the one in the story? 7. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know helped someone in need, and how did it make you feel?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: I Broke It
Learning to Ask for Help
Learning to Ask for Help" is a heartwarming tale about a child who learns to overcome shame, accept responsibility, and ask for help when needed, with the loving guidance of their parents.
Talk about it Here are some questions to ask kids to think about the story "Learning to Ask for Help": 1. What did the child in the story struggle with and why was it difficult for them to clean up their room? 2. How did the parents initially respond to the child's behavior, and how did their approach change over time? 3. What did the child learn about asking for help, and how did that help them overcome their difficulties? 4. Why is it important to take responsibility for our actions, and what can we gain from doing so? 5. What can we do when we feel overwhelmed or unsure about a task we need to complete?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Ichiro Suzuki
Seasons of Baseball: A Young Player's Dream
A young boy's dream of becoming a baseball star is fueled by his visit to a baseball museum in Japan and his unwavering dedication to practicing and improving his skills.
Talk about it 1. What did the little boy dream of becoming and why? 2. How did visiting the baseball museum in Japan inspire the little boy? 3. Why was the little boy determined to keep practicing? 4. What did the little boy learn from his experience and how did it help him achieve his dream? 5. What can we learn from the little boy's story about the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving our goals?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Im the Tall One
Shine Bright: Encouragement and Advice for Children
The poem encourages children to be proud of their unique selves, to persevere in the face of challenges, and to measure their success not by external factors but by personal growth and kindness, while spreading their light in the world.
Talk about it 1. What should you be proud of, according to the poem? 2. What should you do when you feel lost or need help? 3. Why shouldn't you compare yourself to others? 4. How should you measure your success, according to the poem? 5. What does the last line of the poem mean?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Its Cinco de Mayo Carlos
The Brave Soldier and the Festival of Victory
A young boy learns about the bravery of a soldier who protects his people, and they celebrate a festival of victory together after the soldier returns from battle.
Talk about it 1. Who was the main character of the story? 2. Why did the little boy ask the soldier about his costume? 3. What did the soldier do to protect his people? 4. How did they celebrate after winning the battle? 5. Why is it important to remember and honor the bravery of soldiers? 6. What did you like most about the story?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Leopard Ram and Jackal
The Juicy Apple's Escape
The Juicy Apple's Escape" is a tale about a brave and quick-thinking apple who outwits a fierce hunter, inspiring others to have courage and to never give up.
Talk about it Here are some questions that children can think about after reading "The Juicy Apple's Escape:" 1. How did the apple manage to escape from the hunter? 2. What qualities did the apple demonstrate that made it brave and quick-thinking? 3. Why do you think the apple encouraged other fruits to be brave and not hide? 4. Do you think the hunter learned anything from this experience? Why or why not? 5. Can you think of a time when you had to be brave and quick-thinking like the apple?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Lets Make Shapes1
Lost in the Enchanted Forest
When two siblings get lost in a magical forest, they embark on an adventure to find their way back home, encountering mythical creatures and overcoming challenges along the way.
Talk about it 1. How did the siblings feel when they first realized they were lost? 2. What challenges did the siblings face on their adventure through the enchanted forest? 3. Which mythical creature did you find the most interesting and why? 4. How did the siblings use their problem-solving skills to find their way back home? 5. Do you think the siblings learned anything from their adventure in the enchanted forest? If so, what did they learn?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Lets Make Shapes2
Geometric Friends: A Shape Adventure
Geometric Friends: A Shape Adventure" is a tale about a group of shapes working together to build a home and solve a puzzle, learning important lessons about friendship and collaboration along the way.
Talk about it 1. Who were the characters in the story, and what were their shapes? 2. What did the shapes use their different qualities and abilities for throughout the story? 3. How did the shapes work together to solve the puzzle and build their home? 4. What lessons did the shapes learn about friendship and collaboration? 5. What other adventures do you think the geometric friends might have in the future?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Monkey and Crocodile
The Young Guest's Escape
A young guest invited to a party must outsmart danger and use their wits to escape before arriving safely and learning an important lesson.
Talk about it 1. What do you think the young guest learned from their experience? 2. What would you have done if you were in the guest's shoes? 3. What were some of the dangers the guest faced in the woods? 4. Why do you think it's important to trust your instincts and use your wits? 5. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to outsmart a problem or danger? What did you do?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: My Uncle Is a Firefighter
The Great Adventure in the Enchanted Forest
A group of friends embark on a journey through an enchanted forest, facing challenges and making new friends along the way.
Talk about it 1. What kind of challenges did the friends face in the enchanted forest? 2. Who was your favorite character in the story, and why? 3. What lesson did the friends learn on their journey? 4. If you could explore any magical place, where would you go and what would you do there? 5. What was the most exciting part of the story for you?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Number Twelve
Exploring the World: Adventures in the Meadow
A group of kids explore the natural world in a meadow, using tools like rulers, dozens, and sundials to measure, learn, and play.
Talk about it 1. What did the little girl use her ruler for? 2. What did the little boy count using a dozen? 3. How did the third little friend measure the width of the stream? 4. What did the fourth little pal use the sundial for? 5. How did the kids feel as they explored the meadow and learned new things?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Ocean Animals
Protecting and Celebrating the Diversity of Animal Life on Earth
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of protecting animals, discusses the different types of animals that exist, and the challenges they face due to pollution and human activity.
Talk about it 1. What are some different types of animals mentioned in this paragraph? 2. What are some things that can endanger these animals and make it hard for them to survive? 3. What can we do to help protect these animals and ensure they can thrive and grow?
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Poem RAZ Vocabulary J: Riding with Rosa Parks
The Young Kids Who Stood Up for Fairness
A group of young kids stand up against an unfair law, discovering their own power to make a difference and create a world where their dreams can flourish.
Talk about it 1. How did the kids feel when they first realized that the law was unfair? 2. What did the kids do to make their voices heard and fight against the unfair law? 3. What did the kids learn about their rights and the power they had to make a difference? 4. How did the world change after the kids stood up for fairness? 5. What lesson can we learn from the story about the importance of standing up for what is right?
Open reading