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

Lesson 47: The Year of Hardships

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

In 'The Year of Hardships,' the narrator outlines a year of harsh weather and little food or crops, but feels fortunate they were not born that year.

Vocabulary

Bitter: Intensely cold.
Damp: Slightly wet.
Cramp: Suffer from sudden and painful contractions of a muscle or muscles; Appendicitis.
Raw: Bleak, cold, and damp.
Gust: A brief, strong rush of wind.
Fat: Financially substantial or desirable; Well fed.

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:

• Man
• Rain Cloud
• Rain
• Hat
• Cane
• Path
• Rocks
• Mountains
• Stream
• Tree

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 50 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 'The Year of Hardships.'

1 / 4

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The narrator outlines a year of harsh weather and little food or crops, but feels fortunate they were not born that year.

2 / 4

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The narrator and the reader.

3 / 4

Question 4

Does the poem teach us anything?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Someone else always has worse fortune than you do.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Year of Hardships.'
2. What happens in the poem? The narrator outlines a year of harsh weather and little food or crops, but feels fortunate they were not born that year.
3. Who are the characters in the poem? The narrator and the reader.
4. Does the poem teach us anything? Someone else always has worse fortune than you do.