Basic 3 · Ghanaian Language · Poems
Exploring Poems
In this topic you will read poems, note new words and talk about what each poem is about.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Read a short poem aloud
- Note new words in a poem
- Talk about what a poem is about
What you already know
- Making rhyming words
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Oral Language
- Sub-strand
- Poems
- Indicator
- B3.1.3.1.1 – Explore poems and note the words and discuss what the poem is about
Introduction
A poem uses few words to paint pictures in our minds. Let us read a poem about rain.
1. A Poem to Explore
"The Rain" (English example)
Pitter, patter, on the roof,
Drip, drop, on the ground,
The farmer smiles, the seeds will grow,
The rain has come, with a happy sound.
2. Talking About the Poem
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the poem about? | rain falling |
| Who is happy? | the farmer |
| Why is he happy? | the seeds will grow |
| Which words sound like rain? | pitter, patter, drip, drop |
Tip: Explore poems in your Ghanaian language the same way.
New words
- poem
- Words arranged in lines, often with rhythm.
- verse
- A group of lines in a poem.
- sound word
- A word that sounds like what it means, like "drip".
- explore
- To look at closely.
Summary
- Poems use few words to paint pictures.
- Some words sound like what they mean.
- We discuss what a poem is about.
Class activity: Poem Explorers
- Read a poem card in your Ghanaian language.
- Circle new words and find their meanings.
- Tell the class what the poem is about.
You need: Locally made song or poem cards, Local drum, Gourd shaker
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which word sounds like rain?
- A. Drip
- B. Run
- C. Big
- D. Sit
Show answer
Answer: DripIt sounds like falling water.2. Why is the farmer happy?
- A. The seeds will grow
- B. It is night
- C. He lost his hoe
- D. He is hungry
Show answer
Answer: The seeds will growRain helps seeds grow.3. A poem is written in lines.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TruePoems have lines.4. The poem is about the sun.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt is about rain.5. A group of lines in a poem is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: verseThat is a verse.6. Write two sound words from the poem.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. pitter, patter, drip, drop.They sound like rain.
Homework
- Learn a short poem in your Ghanaian language and recite it.