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

Lesson 25: My Shadow

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Performer: Librivox - Ian King

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 poem describes a child's observations of their shadow, which changes throughout the day and night.

Vocabulary

Heel: The back part of the foot below the ankle.
Proper: Suitable or appropriate.
Shoot: Move suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction.
India-rubber: Natural rubber.
Coward: A person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
Arrant: Complete, utter.

Concepts

1. Robert Louis Stevenson was born in 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland. See his picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Stevenson's birth country (UK) on the map of Europe below.

3. Although his family was in the business of engineering lighthouses, Stevenson wanted to write from an early age.
4. Stevenson spent much of his life traveling around the world.
5. In addition to poetry, Stevenson wrote famous books such as 'Treasure Island', 'Kidnapped', and 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.
6. Stevenson died in 1894 at the age of 44 in the Samoan Islands.
7. Zoom in and find the Samoan Islands (Samoa) on the map of Oceania in the South Pacific below.

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 27 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 5: Observe Your Shadow

• Go outside on a sunny day or stand between a bright light source and a wall.
• Move about and watch your shadow.
• Experiment by going outside at different times of day or moving your lamp. How does this change your shadow?

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'My Shadow.'

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the name of the poet who wrote 'My Shadow?'

2 / 5

Answer 2

The name of the poet is Robert Louis Stevenson.

2 / 5

Question 3

What happens in the poem?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem describes a child's observations of their shadow, which changes throughout the day and night.

3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The characters are the narrator and their shadow.

4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?

5 / 5

Answer 5

The poem communicates how the shape and size of shadows are dependent upon the time of day/night (e.g. the angle and positioning of a light source such as the sun).

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'My Shadow.'
2. What is the name of the poet who wrote 'My Shadow?' The name of the poet is Robert Louis Stevenson.
3. What happens in the poem? The poem describes a child's observations of their shadow, which changes throughout the day and night.
4. Who are the characters in the poem? The characters are the narrator and their shadow.
5. Does the poem teach us anything? The poem communicates how the shape and size of shadows are dependent upon the time of day/night (e.g. the angle and positioning of a light source such as the sun).

References

'Robert Louis Stevenson.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.