Before Reading
Preview the Selection
Read the Literary Tools and About the Selection paragraphs carefully. Preview the selection itself, looking at the format of the poem and the artwork that accompanies it.
During Reading
Use Text Organization as You Read
1. Listen as your teacher reads the poem aloud. What idea or image was most striking to you?
2. Now read the poem on your own. Notice the line lengths. Then think about these questions as you read the poem again: What does the shape of the poem suggest? How is the format of the poem related to the subject?
Fix-Up Idea: Focus on Word Play
You will encounter unfamiliar words in this selection. Ferlinghetti uses alternate spellings and coined words to convey ideas. Use context clues and word parts to figure out the meaning. For example, you may be familiar with the phrase sleight-of-hand tricks. When you see sleight-of-foot tricks, you can imagine that the tricks consist of amazing footwork, instead of quick handwork. Keep a list of unfamiliar words that you encounter as you read and use context clues or word parts to figure out their meanings.
After Reading
Share Your Ideas
With a partner, talk about the questions you answered as you read. How does the structure and style of the poem help you connect to its meaning?