Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 32: Wishing

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Lynne Thompson

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The narrator wishes they were a primrose, a tree, and finally a robin, but worries about the cold and values the sweetness of Mother's kiss.

Vocabulary

Primrose: A plant that produces pale yellow flowers in the early spring.
Bough: A main branch of a tree.
Fern: A flowerless plant that has feathery or leafy fronds.
Moss: A small flowerless green plant that lacks true roots.
Pardon: The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offense.
Ruffle: Disorder or disarrange hair or feathers.
Dell: A small valley, usually among trees.

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. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Companion Painting

• Study the painting below, and describe it in your own words.

Find the following in the companion painting:

• Two Girls
• Water
• Trees
• Sky
• Primroses
• Blouses
• Skirts

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

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

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 35 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'Wishing.'

1 / 4

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The narrator wishes to be a primrose, a tree, and a robin and thinks over the advantages and disadvantages.

2 / 4

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The narrator.

3 / 4

Question 4

Does the poem teach us anything?

4 / 4

Answer 4

It may be better to just be yourself.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'Wishing.'
2. What happens in the poem? The narrator wishes to be a primrose, a tree, and a robin and thinks over the advantages and disadvantages.
3. Who are the characters in the poem? The narrator.
4. Does the poem teach us anything? It may be better to just be yourself.