Many Mother's Day cards and activities are based on an impossible example of perfection which most mothers would have a hard time reaching. Mothers Day or any day is a good time to teach children a fair and realistic view of mothers instead of putting them on a pedestal.
Knowing that mothers experience all the same types of feelings that others do will help children develop compassion and empathy, a skill which is often learned first by the relationship with one's mother.
Ways to Use Realistic Poem About Mothers
- Choral reading at school or home.
- One person leads by reading all lines but the last with the rest responding with the last line of each stanza (which is in italics).
- Discussion of ways to honor your mother as a person.
- Writing assignments can include an event you and your mother shared, adding what you appreciated about it.
- And, of course, read the poem to your children for fun and understanding.
Hildra Tague's Poem Mothers Are People, Too
"Mothers used to be your size, just like you. They didn't even know how to tie their shoe. They grew up, but they still sometimes fall. They can be short, or they can be tall. Because Mothers are people too.
Mother words can often be heard: mother lode, Mother Earth, mother ship, is there a mother ant? But I bet you've already got the word; mothers sometimes can, and they sometimes can't. Because mothers are people too.
If you ever see your mother one day ask you to help with a bale of hay.Or set the table or take out the trash, think about helping without asking for cash. Because mothers are people too.
Mothers take you to the store to buy, but as we all know – they can also cry. Sometimes their feelings get hurt, or they skin their knees, so remember to always say to them 'please'. Because mothers are people too.
Mothers have been known to holler and dance, with their friends, family or when they're in France.They shine when they're told 'I love you' and we all know a smile sure improves the view. Because mothers are people too.
The next time you see your mom in a crowd go up to her ear and whisper clear. Tell her then that you're really quite proud to know her better year after year . . . Because mothers are people too!"
Classroom Assignments for Poem About Mothers
- Make a list of mother words like those in the poem and other forms of the root word "mother" with a definition included. They can even write a story using some of these words.
- Use adjectives to describe real mothers you know or have heard about.
- Make a list of ways that mothers are people (e.g. they get tired).
- Draw a Venn Diagram of a mother and child to list individual traits of the child and the mother separately. Use the middle overlapping section to describe ways they are both alike.
- Children can write their own Mother's Day poem or greeting card for their mom.
There are ways to use poetry to teach realistic and sincere appreciation of mothers without unfairly idealizing them. It can be done on Mothers Day or any time of year. Since children learn much about respect from their parents, this lesson is worth pursuing with classroom assignments. Besides that, children learn a lot by just having fun with the poem!
Hildra Tague - Mrs. Hildra Tague is a freelance writer, consultant, and teacher dedicated to issues of education and parenting. This all started when she ...
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