Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Title: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Author: Joyce Sidman

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Copyright:2010

Reading Level: Lexile 1020

 

Summary:

This book includes poetry and scientific facts about nocturnal animals. It contains twelve poems, nine about nocturnal animals and three about mushrooms, plants and trees. The book begins with “Welcome to the Night” in which the reader is introduced to the life of various animals in the woods. The book also contains important facts a teach can share with the students to enhance their knowledge of animals.

Suggested Delivery:

Read aloud followed by individual work.

Electronic Resources:

1. Interactive Poetry- This websites contains other helpful websites that students can utilize after the reading to create various types of poems.

2. Joyce Sidman- Author's website that can be used by both the teacher and the students before the reading. It contains helpful tips for writing and poetry. It also includes games and important information about both the author and her writing.

3. Video- Students can benefit from this YouTube video during or after the reading. The video is about the book and is a great tool for struggling readers to utilize.

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Vocabulary- Enchanted, Nocturnal, Photosynthesis,  Rove, Echolocation, Omnivorous

2. Reading strategies-

Before Reading: Have students complete an entrance slip. They have to identify an animal they like and it’s active at night. They must name some characteristics and explain why they like that animal. 

During Reading: Since the poems are short and they contain a lot of new vocabulary, have students echo read with you. This way, students will learn how to read a poem and will understand the importance of pausing while reading poetry.

After Reading: Give each student a poem from the book and have them create their own found poem about their selected animal. Because they are using the text already written, give them a highlighter so they can highlight the words that describe their animal.

3. Writing Activity-Have students write their poem using the found poem strategy. Along with the poem, have them write a journal entry where they explain why they chose those words to describe their animal.