Science Poetry:

Scieszka, Jon. Science Verse. Illus. Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 2004. Print. ISBN 0670910570.

The theme of this entertaining and funny collection by Scieszka and Smith is scientific topics such as dinosaurs, atoms, plants, food chains, evolution, water cycle, anatomy, astronomy, black holes, food additives, light, worms, parasites, fire, bedbugs, scientific method, electricity, virus, atoms, states of matter, senses, amoeba, metamorphosis, expanding universe and the solar system. The collection opens as Mr. Newton, the science teacher talks about “the poetry of science” and student is “zapped” by the teacher with a “curse of science verse.” The collection shares the poetry of science and the student hears in everything in rhyme and meter as science is factually presented. Emotions and sensory appeals are found throughout the poems as the student’s point of view is reflected-bored by dinosaurs, grossed by the body, wanting the right answer in lieu of understanding. The collection contains parodies of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe , “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer, “The Star” by Ann and Jane Taylor, “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll, “Mary’s Lamb” by Sarah Josepha Hale, “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost in addition to songs and nursery rhymes ("I'm a Little Teapot" and "Eenie, meanie, mynie, mo."). The last page, “Observations and Conclusions” lists the famous works that provided the basis for the parodies.

The C.D. is a helpful teaching tool allowing the meter and rhymes to be easily heard. Science Verse poetry does not all follow the traditional end couplet rhyme scheme. There is no Table of Contents. The poetry is arranged in a pattern beginning with evolution, water cycle then a several parodies. The pattern repeats and the science concepts build.


The illustrator, Lane Smith, compliments the poems with humorous details and the face of the student in each entertaining illustration using paintings, drawings, or collages while focusing on texture. The poem titles are in beige color while the poem is in coral on a solid background allowing focus on the poem and each accompanying illustration. The inside of the front and back covers contain the element chart.

Science Verse has been awarded The Parent’s Choice Award Gold 2004 Non-Fiction and The ALA Notable Children’s Book Award 2005.

The poems are effective and fun science learning tools that have a wide audience appeal due to appeal, entertainment, humor, and attractiveness. This is the key to turn a boring science lesson into a fun experience, quickly.


Poem for Library Lesson:

"Food Chain"

I’ve been working in the food chain,
All the livelong day.
In the middle of the food chain,
I’ve got no time to play.

Can‘t you see the green plants growing?
That’s energy, okay?
Consumer eats up the producer,
Predator eats prey.

Who’s for lunch today?
Who’s for lunch today?
Don’t you just wonder, who’s for lunch today?
Predator or prey.
Predator or prey.
Eat or be eaten, that’s the only way.

Activity:

Read the poem out loud to the class and discuss from what this poem is a parody. Review a food chain then discuss the words and phrases that were chosen for the poem. Look at the illustrations of the three food chains and discuss the animals and their role(s) in the food chain. Use the vocabulary found in the poem in the discussions, producer predator, prey, consumer, and energy. Each student creates their own food chain using a provided triangular template allowing for three levels. The students may reference the illustrated food chain but must use different items. After completing their food chain the student creates a complimentary poem to accompany their illustration. Students may volunteer to share their completed work.