​Poetry Text Set

Falling Up - Shel Silverstein

 

Falling Up is a collection of fun poems and written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein.

 

Of the various poems within this book, the one that the class would focus on is titled, “Noise Day” on page 26.

 

“Let’s have one day for girls and boyses

When you can make the grandest noises.

Screech, scream, holler, and yell—

Buzz a buzzer, clang a bell,

Sneeze—hiccup—whistle—shout,

Laugh until your lungs wear out,

Toot a whistle, kick a can,

Bang a spoon against a pan,

Sing, yodel, bellow, hum,

Blow a horn, beat a drum,

Rattle a window, slam a door,

Scrape a rake across the floor,

Use a drill, drive a nail,

Turn the hose on the garbage pail,

Shout Yahoo—Hurrah—Hooray,

Turn up the music all the way,

Try and bounce your bowling ball,

Ride a skateboard up the wall,

Chomp your food with a smack and a slurp,

Chew—chomp—hiccup—burp.

One day a year do all of these,

The rest of the days—be quiet please.”

 

 

This poem encourages children, even if for just one day, to be themselves. It provides another way that students can express themselves and be comfortable with who they are. Students can write or draw to express themselves, but they can also make noise and music to express themselves as well.

 

With this reading, I would present them with the question, “what would you do on Noise Day?” and have them draw a picture of how they would participate. This allows them to create self-to-text connections while also giving them the opportunity to practice expressing themselves through art.

 

Shel Silverstein provides a fun and whimsical way for students to express themselves in ways other than writing and drawing. The book will also be available for students to read more of Silverstein’s poems after the unit is over so they can further explore more of his poems.

 

Silverstein, S. (1996). Falling Up. New York: HarperCollins.