How does the color blue make you feel? What kinds of things do you associate with this color? How many different colors of blue can you visualize? Discuss these questions with two or three other students. Look through art books or search the Internet to find examples of the different shades of blue. How do the different shades of blue affect the emotions associated with the color? Consider the symbolic meanings of colors, especially the color blue. What is blue likely to symbolize? After you discuss the questions with your group, jot down the feelings you associate with the color.
1. Close your eyes and visualize the images as your teacher reads the poem aloud. Discuss with the class the striking images from the poem. How did you picture the images? What feelings do you associate with this poem? Were there any colors of blue or things mentioned that you were unable to visualize?
2. Reread the poem with your group. Again, discuss the feelings associated with the poem. Are these feelings similar to those you associated with the color blue before reading?
If you have difficulty applying the reading strategy, begin by unlocking the difficult words. Read through the poem, recording difficult words and shades of blue you cannot visualize. Then, use the Internet or the classroom library to find examples of the words. You might check field guides to find examples of flowers and trees (bluebell, pink-blue chicory, blue spruce) and insects and birds (blue dragonfly, indigo bunting). Create a visual dictionary to help you visualize the items and the colors listed in the poem. When you are familiar with all of the words and shades of blue, reread the poem and visualize the images presented.
Consider the images you visualized. What emotions were elicited by the visualizations? In a paragraph, describe the emotions attached to the visualizations of the color blue. Compare your paragraph with those belonging to your group members.