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

Lesson 42: Nick Spence

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

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

Nick Spence sold his master's cow for far too little money and didn't feel bad about it, so the narrator recommends punishment.

Vocabulary

Sixpence: A British coin worth six old pence, withdrawn in 1980.
Scold: Admonish angrily.
Farmyard: A yard or enclosure attached to a farmhouse.
Stableyard: A yard or enclosure attached to horses' stables.
Stackyard: A yard or enclosure for stacks of straw, hay, or grain.
Pigsty: A pen for pigs.
Fair: A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment.

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 Picture

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

Find the following in the companion picture:

• Pig
• Pigsty
• Angry People
• Man Being Pushed into the Pigsty
• Trough
• Pig Food
• Roof

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 45 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'Nick Spence.'

1 / 3

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 3

Answer 2

Nick Spence sold his master's cow for far too little money and didn't feel bad about it, so the narrator recommends punishment.

2 / 3

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?

3 / 3

Answer 3

Nick Spence, Nick's Master, and Johnny.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'Nick Spence.'
2. What happens in the poem? Nick Spence sold his master's cow for far too little money and didn't feel bad about it, so the narrator recommends punishment.
3. Who are the characters in the poem? Nick Spence, Nick's Master, and Johnny.