A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout/ JANECZKO COLLECTION/MODULE 6

Paul Janeczko Illustrated by Chris Raschka.2009. A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout. Cambridge Mass. Candlewick. ISBN 978-0-7636-0663-3.

A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout is an anthology of poems.  These poems include classic and contemporary selections by very well-known poets like Lewis Carroll and Janet S. Wong.  This book is filled with a variety of poems. There are bilingual poems, limericks, tongue twisters, nonsense verses, rhyming poems, and poems presented in one, two, three and more voices to suggest ways to share the poems out loud.  These poems are all organized with headings such as “One Voice”, “Tongue Twisters”, “Poems for Two Voices”, “List Poems”, “Poems for Three Voices”, “Short Stuff”, “Bilingual Poems”, “Rhymed Poems”, and “Limericks and Poems for a Group”.  Poems range from the words of Shakespeare’s three witches in Macbeth, to Walt Whitman, and A.A. Milne. 

These poems will appeal to a wide range of children but not all children will appreciate these poems.  They are very different and can sometimes be over the top of young children.  These poems are not written about familiar childhood experienced or interesting topics that will automatically appeal to children.  However, with that being said these poems will enrich a child’s insight and knowledge.  I thought the entire time while reading this book all the classic literature that they are learning about through these poems.  These poems will also greatly expand linguistic abilities.  There were words that I was not familiar with in some of the poems.            

The poem that I am sharing with you is a rhyming poem that is really a unique poem.  The poem is titled Pasta Parade by Bobbie Kautz. 

                                                          

Pasta Parade

Ziti marching in a row-

then capelli d’angelo-

ravioli-

tortellini-

wide lasagna-

slim linguine-

itty bits of pert pastina-

piles of penne mezzanine-

ditali and ditalini-

teeny, weeny tubettini-

farfalle-

and capellini-

nets of woven fettuccine-

     Basta!

That’s enough already,

Fill my bowl up with spaghetti!

And while you’re at it, will you please

pass along the grated cheese. 

Classroom/Library Connection

Recommended audience: Ages 8-11

Before reading: Before reading this poem I will have the children discuss all the types of pasta that they know and what they mostly eat at home.  Some of these types most children will not have heard of so we will chart the ones we know before the poem.          

During reading: I would read the poem slowly so they can truly appreciate the poem and hear the different types of pasta being talked about.  I always want to read it slowly so that they can hear the pronunciation of some of the different pastas.        

Reread the poem: I would then discuss the poem with them and write down the pastas that we did not know about.  I would have examples of the different pastas so the children can not only hear them but they can see them as well.  We would then reread the poem so when they hear it a second time they are familiar with the pastas. 

After reading: I will have each child get into a group and we would go down to the cafeteria and cook different types of pasta together with lots of supervision.  This way the children can then try the pastas and see if there is any difference minus shape and name.