Poetry Break! A Refrain

Introduction:
Have a big stack of books piled near you. Pull books that match the descriptions in the poem. Read the poem aloud.

The Library Cheer

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT! (refrain)
Bird books,
Bug books,
Bear books too,
Words and pictures
Through and through.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!
Books in color
Black and white,
Skinny books,
Fat books,
Day and night.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!
Sad books,
Glad books,
Funny books too,
Books for me
And books for you.

Books are good!
Books are great!
I want books!
I WILL NOT WAIT!

(from Shout! Little Poems That Roar)

Extension:
Divide the students into four groups. Assign each group a line of the repeated chant. Practice the chant. When ready, re-read the poem with the students’ participation.

Reference:
Bagert, B. 2007. SHOUT! LITTLE POEMS THAT ROAR. Ill. Sachiko Yoshikawa. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780803729728.