DRAFT

Form 2
I wonder

Table of Contents
Synopsis
Elements
Activities
Assessment
Answer Key
Glossary
Panel of writers

Curriculum Development Division.Ministry of Education Malaysia. 2010

I WONDER

POETRY

The Poem

I WONDER
I wonder why the grass is green,
And why the wind is never seen?
Who taught the birds to build a nest,
And told the trees to take a rest?
O, when the moon is not quite round,
Where can the missing bit be found?
Who lights the stars, when they blow out,
And makes the lightning flash about?
Who paints the rainbow in the sky,
And hangs the fluffy clouds so high?
Why is it now, do you suppose,
That Dad wont tell me, if he knows?
Jeannie Kirby

I WONDER

POETRY

Synopsis
The persona, a child, is wondering about the natural happenings, asking why the
grass is green (instead of being other colours) and why the wind is invisible. He or she
continues to ponder on how the birds know how to build nests without any instruction and
why the trees shed their leaves in autumn. He also wonders where the other part of the
moon is(when the moon shows up in the sky in a crescent shape).

He wonders about who makes the stars shine and what makes the lightning flash
about. He asks who colours the rainbow and puts the clouds high in the sky. His father,
however, would not answer the childs questions. He wonders why the father was unwilling
to give him the answers.

I WONDER

POETRY

Elements
Persona (Speaker)
- An inquisitive child who observes the world around him.
Point of view
- First person (I Wonder)
Setting
- Outdoor; in the countryside, during the day
green grass
windy day
nests on trees
Autumn
- Outdoor during the night
Stars in the sky
A crescent moon
A flash of lightning
- Outdoor after the rain
Rainbow in the sky
A crescent moon
- Indoors where the child is talking to his father

Theme
- Curiosity of a child
Children are by nature inquisitive and they like to ask questions. They do not take things
for granted and they like to ask questions, seeking answers to things that puzzle them.
This is evident in the numerous questions about the surrounding that the child poses in
the poem.
- The wonders of nature
The poem shows readers of how majestic and awe-inspiring nature can be for those who
take the time to stop and appreciate it. In the eyes of the persona, nature is just amazing:
the various wonders of the sky, the complexity exhibited by a humble bird in nest-making,
the tide of time shown by the surrounding trees.
- The thirst for knowledge
Humans, by nature, are inquisitive beings. We have the innate drive to seek knowledge
and information to better ourselves. It sets us apart from other creatures. As such, we
strive to obtain as much information in our daily undertakings. Life is a constant learning
process and this urge manifests itself from an early age. This is shown in the personas
incessant questioning.
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Moral Values
- Cultivating a desire for knowledge
As humans, we must never be satisfied with the level of knowledge that we have
acquired. We must continue to try to better ourselves through acquiring more knowledge.
- Caring for our environment
Through the eyes of the poet, nature is portrayed as majestic, mysterious and beautiful.
As such, it gives readers a sense appreciation towards our environment. Therefore, it is
pertinent that we take measures to care for our environment.
- The existence of a creator or God
The poet exudes a sense of wonder at the grandeur and mystery of nature. He is amazed
that, even though he cannot see it, he knows that wind is there. He is also baffled how a
bird that has never gone to school can build a nest, much like an architect, having gone to
university, constructs a building. In the last stanza, the fathers not answering the poets
questions indicates how, for all our knowledge and technological superiority, humans will
never be able to provide all the answers to lifes mysteries.
Structure
- 6 stanzas (6 couplets)
Rhyme Scheme
- Regular (aa bb cc dd ee)
Tone
- Questioning and curious. The child employs an almost interrogative aura while posing
the questions. He gives us a glimpse of what goes on in his mind.
Mood
- Reflective
Language
- Simple, Wh-questions
Imagery
- Nature (grass, wind, bird, moon, stars, lightning, rainbow, clouds)
Poetic Devices
- Personification ("trees...take a rest")
- And told the trees to take a rest
- Who lights the stars when they blow out
- Alliteration ("grass is green", "birds to build")

http://biteenglish.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-wonder-by-jeannie-kirby.html

I WONDER

ACTIVITY 1

And the answer is

Time :

80 minutes

Aims

1
2

Materials

Responding to questions based on elements of

nature in the poem
Understanding the poem better by answering
pre-questions about the poem

Handout 1

Worksheet 1

Steps
1
2
3
4
5

Organise students into groups of 3-4.

Distribute Handout 1 to the groups.
Instruct the groups to formulate Wh-questions and answers for each picture. Call on
a few groups to pose their questions and get the other groups to answer them.
Distribute Worksheet 1 to the groups.
Instruct them to complete the worksheet. Discuss their answers in class.

Notes
Encourage students to look up the possible answers using the Internet. This will help
them to increase their knowledge for future activities.
Handout 1 can be flashed on the projector if colour print is unavailable.
Alternative: bring the class outside to experience nature first-hand.

I WONDER

HANDOUT 1

And the answer is

I WONDER

WORKSHEET 1

And the answer is

Answer the following questions using short answers.
1.

Why is grass green in colour and not blue?

___________________________________________________________________

2.

How do we know that there is wind when we cant see it?

___________________________________________________________________

3.

How do birds know how to build nests even though they dont go to school?
___________________________________________________________________

4.

Why do trees turn golden brown during Autumn?

___________________________________________________________________

5.

What does it mean when the moon is not a complete circle?

___________________________________________________________________

6.

Why do stars twinkle in the sky?

___________________________________________________________________

7.

Why is lightning dangerous?

___________________________________________________________________

8.

Why does a rainbow have many colours?

___________________________________________________________________

9.

Are clouds made of soft, fluffy cotton?

___________________________________________________________________

10.

Does everybody know the answers to all of these questions?

___________________________________________________________________

I WONDER

ACTIVITY 2

Tell me banners
Time :

80 minutes

Aims

1
2
3

Materials

To appreciate the poem through recitation.

To recite the poem with expression.
To comprehend the poem through
visual/pictorial depiction of the poem.

Worksheet 2

Colouring materials,
strings and glue

Steps
1
2
3
4

Phase 1: recite the poem with expression.

Students recite the poem, supervised by the teacher.
Teacher discusses the stanzas with the class
Phase 2: Distribute Worksheet 2 to the students. Instruct them to draw a visual
representation of the respective stanzas (i.e. draw the scene or image discussed in
the stanza). Then, on the bottom space of the handout, students re-write the
corresponding stanza as creatively as they can.
Get some students to display their work at the English Corner.

Notes
You may watch a sample video of the class from Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbjXCJV_C-s
Activity adapted from The Big Book of Reading Response Activities 2007

I WONDER

WORKSHEET 2

Tell me banners
Draw a picture or scene that depicts the stanza. Then, re-write that stanza creatively in
the space provided.

STANZA : _________

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

I WONDER

ACTIVITY 3

Blast off!!!
Time :

40 minutes

Aims

1
2

Materials

To identify the information that the students

have learnt from the poem.
To highlight possible issues in the poem.

Worksheet 3

Steps

1
2
3
4

Distribute Worksheet 3. Students list THREE things they have learnt from the
poem.
Students list out TWO interesting facts about the poem.
Students list out ONE question on either the elements, facts and any other relevant
information found in the poem.
Select a few students to come forward and present their findings to the class.
Encourage the other students to answer the questions posed by the presenters.

Notes
For more advanced students, they can compose short essays for each category instead
of writing them in point form.

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I WONDER

WORKSHEET 3

Blast off!!!
Fill in the Blow-out spaces with the items indicated in the rocket.

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I WONDER

ACTIVITY 4

That Makes You.

Time :

40 minutes

Aims

1
2

Materials

Analysing the character and his characteristics

in a poem.
To make word association through synonyms.

Dictionary

Worksheet 4a

Worksheet 4b

Colour pencils

Steps

1
2
3

Distribute Worksheet 4a. Students look up the meanings of the words in the
dictionary.
Students match words with their synonyms by colouring them in the same colour.
Use different colours for different pairs. Discuss the answers.
Distribute Worksheet 4b. Students study each stanza and decide on the character
traits demonstrated by the persona in I Wonder.

Notes
For advanced students, the teacher can instruct them to justify their answers with
reference to the poem.

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I WONDER

WORKSHEET 4a

That Makes You.

Using a dictionary, find out the meaning of the following words. Then, match the
words with similar meanings by colouring the space with the same coloured colour
pencil.

Curious

Innocent

Mesmerised

Confused

In awe

Concerned

Observant

Inquisitive

Perceptive

Naive

Baffled

Worried

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I WONDER

WORKSHEET 4b

That Makes You.

Read the following stanzas. Then, using the words from Worksheet 4a, decide what
character trait(s) the persona demonstrates in each of the stanza. You may use the
traits more than once.

STANZA

CHARACTER TRAIT(S)

I wonder why the grass in green,

And why the wind is never seen?

Who taught the birds to build a nest,

And told the trees to take a rest?

O, when the moon is not quite round,

Where can the missing bit be found?

Who lights the starts, when they blow out?

And makes the lightning flash about?

Who paints the rainbow in the sky,

And hangs the fluffy clouds so high?

Why is it now, do you suppose,

That Dad wont tell me, if he knows?

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I WONDER

ACTIVITY 5

Thoughts on Themes
Time :

40 minutes

Aims

Materials

To identify possible themes from the poem.

To develop rationalising skills through

Worksheet 5

explaining ones answers.

Steps

Discuss possible themes with the students.

Instruct individual students to attempt to identify possible themes from the poem.

Distribute Worksheet 5.

Instruct students to complete the chart with possible themes based on the selected
lines.

Students justify their selection on the space provided.

Discuss the students answers in class.

Notes
For advanced students, they can use their answers to construct an essay.
The answers for the exercise may be used inter-changeably. Therefore, accept any
logical answers given by the students.

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I WONDER

Worksheet 5

Thoughts on Themes
For the following lines from the poem I Wonder, provide a possible theme. Then,
justify your selection of theme on the space below.

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In the spaces below, provide your explanation for your choice of themes.

Theme 1
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Theme 2
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Theme 3
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Theme 4
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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I WONDER

ASSESSMENT 1

Assessment 1
Answer the following questions based on the poem I Wonder by Jeannie Kirby.
1. Match the phrases in Column A with the correct phrases in Column B:
Column A

Column B

The child wonders why the

grass

- when the moon is not completely

The child is amazed that

birds know

- arch with brilliant colours across

The child wonders where

the missing bits go

- refuses to answers his/her

The child wonders who

makes the stars

- is green in colour instead of other

The child wonders who

makes the rainbow

- how to build nests without prior

The child is slightly

disappointed that the father

- twinkle brightly in the dark sky.

round.

the sky.

questions.

colours.

training.

2. In your opinion, what does the poet mean by the phrase told the trees to take a rest?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Which line shows us that the child is questioning the fathers wisdom?
A.
B.
C.
D.

When they blow out (stanza 4)

If he knows? (stanza 6)
Where can the missing bit be found? (stanza 3)
I wonder why the grass is green, (stanza 1)

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I WONDER

ASSESSMENT 2

Assessment 2
Extract the lines in the poem and categorise them in the right column.

I Wonder

Land-based questions

Sky-based questions

1 __________________________

1 __________________________

2 __________________________

2 __________________________

3 __________________________

3 __________________________

4 __________________________

4 __________________________

5 __________________________

5 __________________________

DISCUSSION QUESTION:
In approximately 50 100 words, discuss the following statement:
Childrens curiosity is natural and should be nurtured. Do you agree? Discuss
with reference to the poem.

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I WONDER

ASSESSMENT 3

Assessment 3
Give short responses to the following questions.

1.

What is the message of the poem?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

2.

What natural element of nature is discussed in stanza 4? How is this element

powerful?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

3.

In your opinion, how is this poem relevant to our personal life? Give your answer
with reference to the poem.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

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I WONDER

ASSESSMENT 4

Assessment 4
A. Select the correct answer.
1. The words I Wonder show that the persona is
A
B

happy
careful

C
D

curious
superstitious

2. What does the persona see after a downpour?

A
B

stars
clouds

C
D

lightning
a rainbow

3. Which element of nature in this poem is round and changes its shape with
time?
A
B

star
clouds

C
D

moon
rainbow

B. Provide short answers for the following questions

4. Who wrote the poem I Wonder?
______________________________________________________________
5. State one value that we can learn from this poem.

______________________________________________________________

6. In your opinion, why doesnt the father answer the personas questions?

______________________________________________________________
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I WONDER

POETRY

Answer Key
ACTIVITY 1:

AND THE ANSWER IS....

(These are suggested answers only. Accept any logical answers from the students)
1.

Because it has a chemical called Chlorophyll that makes it green.

2.

Because it is transparent to light.

3.

They know it instinctively.

4.

Because there is no sun in winter, so they dont need leaves.

5.

The sun shines on different parts of the moon.

6.

It only seems to twinkle because of the gasses around our earth.

7.

Because it can destroy anything it strikes.

8.

Because the raindrops turn the sun rays into various colours.

9.

No, theyre water turned to gas.

10.

(Accept any logical answers)

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ACTIVITY 2:

TELL ME BANNERS

(Sample picture of a completed product)

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ACTIVITY 3:

BLAST OFF!!

(Sample answers. Accept any acceptable response)

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ACTIVITY 4 : THAT MAKES YOU....

WORKSHEET 4a

Curious

Innocent

Mesmerised

Confused

In awe

Concerned

Observant

Inquisitive

Perceptive

Naive

Baffled

Worried

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WORKSHEET 4b

STANZA

CHARACTER TRAIT(S)

I wonder why the grass in green,

And why the wind is never seen?

Curious
Innocent

Who taught the birds to build a nest,

And told the trees to take a rest?

Inquisitive
Perceptive

O, when the moon is not quite round,

Where can the missing bit be found?

Baffled
Perceptive

Who lights the starts, when they blow out?

And makes the lightning flash about?

In awe
Worried

Who paints the rainbow in the sky,

And hangs the fluffy clouds so high?

Mesmerised
Baffled

Why is it now, do you suppose,

That Dad wont tell me, if he knows?

Naive
Perplexed

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ACTIVITY 5 : THOUGHTS ON THEMES

(NOTE: The themes may be used inter-changeably.
A:
THEME 1: Thirst for knowledge
THEME 2: Greatness of the Creator
THEME 3: Wonders of nature
THEME 4: The mysteries of nature

B:
(Accept any answers the is logical, acceptable, and can be justified by the students)
Sample:
THEME 1: Thirst for knowledge.
I choose this theme because the persona shows a keen interest in finding the reason behind
the fact that he feels the presence of wind, even though he cant see it.

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ASSESSMENT 1
1.

2.

The trees are shedding their leaves in preparation for the sunless winter.

3.

b) if he knows? (stanza 6)

ASSESSMENT 2

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DISCUSSION QUESTION:

AGREE

DISAGREE

normal process of growing up

can expose them to undesirable

elements

helps children to learn about things

around them

may lead to disappointment from

uncooperative adults

can be dangerous

helps to develop their minds

ASSESSMENT 3
1.

Nature can be wonderful. It is beautiful and amazing for those who stop to notice it.
We must be responsible for taking care of our natural surroundings. Also, children
have a natural sense of curiosity for wanting to know about things. Adults should
appreciate this nature and help them in any way possible.

2.

Lightning. It is dangerous because of its destructive nature.

3.

We are a part of nature in many ways. What happens to nature affects us directly,
whether positively or otherwise. As such, it falls on us to be responsible human
beings and do whatever it takes to ensure that nature is preserved. In the poem, the
child is amazed and inquisitive about nature and her happenings. He shows keen
interest in nature and wants to know as much about it as he can. This is in stark
contrast to the father who appears uninterested. This is shown in his unwilling or
unable to help the child answer his questions.

ASSESSMENT 4
A:

B:

1. C

curious

2. D

a rainbow

3. C

moon

4. Jeannie Kirby
5. - appreciating nature
- thirst for knowledge
- existence of the Creator (choose one)

6.

Maybe the father doesnt know the answers. This shows that, even though adults
have learnt a lot of thing, there are still some things that remain a mystery. Only God
has the answer to these questions.

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I WONDER

POETRY

Glossary
WORDS

LINE

MEANING IN CONTEXT

take a rest

to stop producing

blow out

to stop shining

flash

sudden, bright light

paints

created

fluffy

10

puffy and soft

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I WONDER

POETRY

Panel of Writers
Coordinators
Diana Fatimah Bt Ahmad Sahani
Masreen Wirda Bt Mohammad Ali
Tengku Ireneza Marina Tunku Mazlan
Eileen Jessie Ah Guan
Ng Yew Kee

Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum, KPM

Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia
Aras 4-8, Blok E9
Kompleks Kerajaan Parcel E
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62604 Putrajaya

Jimmy Then Choon Jing

SMK Bintulu, Peti Surat 97

97007 Bintulu, Sarawak.

Panel of Writers
Andrew Leong Kong Meng
(Panel Head)

SMK Air Itam, Jalan Thean Teik,

11500 Pulai Pinang

Adrian Robert

SM La Salle, P.O. Box 10282

88803 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Vasanthi Sandra Gasam

SMK Tun Habab, Jalan Tajul.

81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor.

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