Before Reading
Set a Purpose for Reading
Do a quickwrite in response to the Reader's Journal prompt. Share your response with two or three of your classmates. As you read, try to determine what the snake means to the speaker.
During Reading
Keep the Purpose in Mind as You Read
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first four stanzas of the poem aloud. What is the snake doing? How does the speaker feel about the snake? Write down ideas in the poem that relate to these questions.
2. Continue reading the selection on your own. Keep taking notes about how the speaker feels and reacts to the snake.
Fix-Up Idea: Unlock Difficult Words
Review the Words for Everyday Use in this selection. Read each word, definition, and contextual sentence carefully. Copy each word into your notebook and create your own contextual sentence for each. As you read, jot other unfamiliar words into your notebook. Use context clues or word parts to determine the meanings of the words. If you cannot determine the meanings using one of these methods, consult a dictionary.
After Reading
Summarize Your Ideas
With your group from the Before-Reading activity, discuss what the snake means to the speaker. What theme is raised by examining the speaker's feelings about the snake? Write a brief summary of your ideas.