Science Poetry

The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination

Selected By: Mary Ann Hoberman & Linda Winston

Hoberman, Mary Ann and Linda Winston. 2009. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

ISBN: 140225172

The Tree That Time Built is a collection of poems that celebrate nature and science. The poems in the book are selected by award winning author Mary Ann Hoberman and educator Linda Winston. The poems featured in the book are from a wide range of authors. The authors range from classic authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Langston Hughes, to more modern day writers such as Douglas Florian and Marilyn Singer. Some of the authors of the poems in the book are unknown. Many of the poems featured in the book can be found in other poetry books as well. The poems are divided into nine sections, or chapters, each focusing on a different element of nature such as prehistoric times, trees, the sea, and species of animals that fly. A glossary is located in the back of the book that aides reader in understanding unknown words. Also, placed at the end of the book is a listing of all the poets featured in the book along with short biographies about their lives and writings.

The meaning of the book is to link the subjects of poetry and science together. Many of the poems placed in the book use abstract imagery. Figurative language is used to describe such wonders such as the ocean. "Height" by A.R. Ammons is an example of the abstract language that is used in many of the poems in the book. These types of poems allow students to engage in deeper level thinking when trying to find the meaning and understand the information presented in the poem. Many of the poems describe animals in great detail. These poems would be great to use in science as a lesson that would allow students to hear information about the animal in a different way. "Starfish" by Valerie Worth is one example of a poem that would further a child's understanding of the creature.

Science is a very interesting topic for children, and the poems and their topics appeal to the book's audience. All of the poems enrich and extend children's knowledge on concepts in nature. There is a sense of wonder and awe that is felt when reading through the book. The poems that have been chosen capture the reader and pull them further into a deeper understanding of our Earth's past, present, and the creatures that live upon it.

Hurt No Living Thing

By: Christina Rossetti

Hurt no living thing:

Ladybird, nor butterfly

Nor moth with dusty wing,

Nor cricket chirping cheerily,

Nor grasshopper so light of leap.

Nor dancing gnat, or beetle flat,

Nor harmless worms that creep.

Activity: This poem was featured in the section of the book about extinction. Before the poem is read the teacher displays the word "extinction" on the board, and holds a class discussion about the word and its meaning. Also, the teacher asks students to name animals they know are extinct. The teacher then lists these animals on the board. The poem is then read out loud to the class and the teacher discusses its meaning with the whole class. Students can then select an animal that is extinct and write a poem about their chosen animal.