Dear First Grade Families,

As a way to promote language development, reinforce language arts skills, and help the students become confident readers, I will be posting poems for the students to read and learn. I will introduce the poem in class and the students will have the opportunity to practice reading the poem at school. The students will be required to draw an illustration for the poem and recite the poem fluently. Please print out the poem and help your child practice reading the poem at home.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

by Clement C. Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

A Thanksgiving Dinner

Take a turkey, stuff it fat,

Some of this and some of that.

Get some turnips, peel them well.

Cook a big squash in its shell.

Now potatoes, bit and white,

Mash till the are soft and light.

Cranberries, so tart and sweet,

With the turkey we must eat.

Pickles-yes-and then, oh my!

For dessert a pumpkin pie,

Golden brown and spicy sweet.

What a fine Thanksgiving treat!

Maude M. Grant

Pumpkin Time

Pumpkin time is here again,
Time to play Trick or Treat.
Pumpkin time is here again,
Our spooky friends we'll meet.

See the costumes we have on,
Monsters, ghosts, goblins too.
See the costumes we have on,
Hear us all shout "Boo!"

Keep a Poem in Your Pocket
by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers

Keep a poem in your pocket
And a picture in your head
And you'll never feel lonely
At night when you're in bed.

The little poem will sing to you
The little picture bring to you
A dozen dreams to dance to you
At night when you're in bed.

So - -
Keep a picture in your pocket
And a poem in your head
And you'll never feel lonely
At night when you're in bed.

Thank you for participitating in this exciting and fun activity. I hope you will visit this site frequently!