Learn and perform a poem

GRADE 5
Grade 5 Term 2: English First Additional Language; Weeks 3 & 4: Unit 7: Food choices: Listening and speaking: Perform a simple poem
Name:

Before listening
• Do you like poems about insects?
• Here is a famous poem about a spider and a fly.

Listen
Listen as your educator reads this to you a few times.

The spider and the fly

by Mary Howitt

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,  
“It’s the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;  
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,  
And I’ve a many curious things to show when you are there.”  
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,  
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.” 

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;  

Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly. 
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,  
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”  
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,   After listening
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”  • Can you make
your own ending
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend what can I do,   to this poem? 
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?   • Read it with your
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;   group several
I’m sure you’re very welcome – will you please to take a slice?”   times and perform
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,   it for the class.
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
This is a public domain poem found at https://goo.gl/HHnv2h

© e-classroom www.e-classroom.co.za
 Memorandum

GRADE 5
Listening and speaking: Learn and perform a poem

Grade 5 Term 2: English First Additional Language; Weeks 3 & 4: Unit 7: Food choices: Listening and speaking: Perform a simple poem
This is a fun insect poem about a spider that tries to trick a fly into becoming its
food. Read the poem several times to the learners and explain the difficult words
in the poem. Place the learners in groups and let them practise saying the poem
together regularly with the aim of presenting it as a performance to the rest of the
class. They could even create their own short ending to the poem.

© e-classroom www.e-classroom.co.za