Shell Silverstein’s “Sick” provides an opportunity for kids to demonstrate their understanding of syllables and phonemes. The class creates a list of descriptive words used in the poem that have more than one syllable, and brainstorm how the words can be demonstrated using found rhythmic objects like sticks, cans, shoes, etc. For the second reading of Peggy Ann McKay’s sad tale, individuals are assigned one word and demonstrate their sound during the rereading.

Additional Tags

sick, shell silverstein, cross curricular music, visual and performing arts

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Pros

• A great, cross-curricular way to introduce the rhythmic values of polysyllabic words
• Expand the lesson for older learners by introducing the concept of stressed and unstressed syllables

Cons

• None

Common Core

RF.1.2.a