Poets of Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme Nature, Revelry, and Rhyme    

Lesson 34: Baby’s Valentine

by Abbie Farwell Brown

Performer: SMG

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the poet.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

The narrator describes their love and adoration for a baby. The narrator promises to clothe the baby in beautiful flowers and set the baby on a flower throne. The narrator says bugs will worship the baby. It is unclear whether the ode is to a human baby or perhaps a fairy baby.

Vocabulary

Valentine: A card or message sent on St. Valentine's Day (February 14) to a person one loves.
Hither: To or toward this place.
Toddle: Move with short unsteady steps while learning to walk.
Frock: A woman's or girl's dress.
Twine: Cause to wind or spiral round something.
Pied: Having two or more different colors.
Dandy: An excellent thing of its kind.
Homage: Special honor or respect shown publicly.

Concepts

1. Abbie Farwell Brown was born in 1871 in Boston, Massachusetts. See her picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Brown's birth state of Massachusetts (MA) on the map of the continental United States.

3. Brown founded her high school newspaper, 'The Jabberwock', which is one of the oldest newspapers in the United States.
4. Brown also helped write 'On the Trail', the official song of the USA Girl Scouts.
5. Brown died in 1927 at the age of 55 from cancer.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

• Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

• Study the poem picture, and describe how it relates to the poem.

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

After reading or listening to the poem, narrate the poem events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 36 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 5: Sketch the Poem

One day this week, examine the images below of flowers and insects mentioned in the poem. Sketch or color each flower or insect. Label each flower or insect with its name.

• Tulip

• Larkspur

• Beetle

• Lady's-Slipper

• Damask Rose

• Katydid

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'Baby’s Valentine.'

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the name of the poet who wrote 'Baby’s Valentine?'

2 / 4

Answer 2

The name of the poet is Abbie Farwell Brown.

2 / 4

Question 3

What happens in the poem?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The narrator describes their love and adoration of a baby.

3 / 4

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?

4 / 4

Answer 4

The characters are the narrator, the baby, and the insects that will pay homage to the baby.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'Baby’s Valentine.'
2. What is the name of the poet who wrote 'Baby’s Valentine?' The name of the poet is Abbie Farwell Brown.
3. What happens in the poem? The narrator describes their love and adoration of a baby.
4. Who are the characters in the poem? The characters are the narrator, the baby, and the insects that will pay homage to the baby.

References

'Abbie Farwell Brown.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.