1. Read the titles of the two poems and examine the picture on page 614. What do the poems and the picture depict?
2. Look over the first poem, “in Just-,” and examine how the poem is organized. Look at the spaces between words, how the words are put together, the punctuation, and the shape.
3. Look over the second poem, “Spring is like a perhaps hand.” Notice how it is organized. Why would the author organize his poems this way? How do you think you should read the poems?
1. Listen as your teacher reads aloud the first poem, “in Just-.” Notice how he or she pauses at the spaces between the words. Pay attention to how your teacher reads words that are connected, such as “eddieandbill” and “balloonman.” Listen for repeated phrases.
2. With a partner, reread the first poem. Use what look like spelling mistakes in the poem to change your reading speed or add emphasis like your teacher did.
3. Read “Spring is like a perhaps hand” aloud. You should read it aloud twice so both you and your partner get a chance to interpret the ideas in the poem.
If you are having trouble understanding the poems, read and answer the Guided Reading Questions before you read the poems aloud. Think about the questions as you read.
Take a moment to reflect on the two poems. How do the unique spelling, capitalization, and punctuation style affect the poems? How does the organization of the two poems communicate ideas about spring?