The Sea p 623

By James Reeves

Six steps to reading a poem

1. Look at the title---Think about the image it creates.

2. Read the poem silently---Pay attention to punctuation.

3. Read the poem out loud---Feel the poem’s rhythm.

Six steps to reading a poem

4. Read the poem a third time---Think about the images that come to mind.

5. Use context clues to figure out word meanings.

6. Think about the poem’s meaning. Can you make connections?

What images do you think of when you think of the sea?

Read the Poem SilentlyNotes about Punctuation:

Read the Poem out loudNote the poem’s rhythm

Is there a rhyme scheme?

Rhyme SchemeLook at the last word in each line

Assign the first line the letter A

If the next line rhymes with the first line, assign it the letter A. If it does not rhyme with the first line, assign it the letter B.

If the next line rhymes with the first line, assign it the letter A. If it rhymes with the second line, assign it the letter B. If it does not rhyme with either line, assign it the letter C.

Read the Poem a third timeWhat comparison does the poet make in line one?

Who is ‘he’ in line three?What does he do all day? (see lines 3-9)

ImagesIf the sea is a “hungry dog” in lines 1-14, what kind of dog is it in lines 15-20?

List the verbs in line #3 rolls5 gnaws8 moans9 licking10 roars12 Bounds sniffs snuffsHow do these verbs help you visualize the sea?

Examples of Onomatopoeia Moans Sniffs Howls Rumbles Snuffs Sniffs Clashing Roars