Poetry Break
Topic: Hats

Introduction
Read the class JENNIE'S HAT by Ezra Jack Keats.
Let the class discuss times they like to dress up. Do people compliment them on how they look?
How do different clothes make them feel? Do they dress differently for different occasions?
Can dressing formally be a sign of respect?

Ladies' Hat
by Nikki Grimes

My family settles in a pew.
I leave them for a minute or two
to race up to the balcony
and smile down on the gallery
of ladies wearing hats.

I could admire them for hours-
hats with feather, bows, and flowers,
satin ribbons, black as jet,
broad silk bands, and lacy net
that ladies hide behind.

Some hats are peach, plum red, pale pink,
some shades of purple which I think
are beautiful, especially
on Mom, who often says that we
should dress up for the Lord.

[Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. Illustrated by Michael Bryant. ISBN 0-9028-5108-8]

Extension
Have each student draw a picture of a favorite piece of clothing.
Ask them to remember when and where they last wore it. As a group, make a list of words that describe the clothes.
Then ask the children to write a poem about the article of clothing.

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