For their sixth week of poetry Twain 4th graders learned about making a “To Do” list. With responsibilities school and work, this type of list can help someone keep track of all the tasks they have to complete. The seasons are changing, and many animals have things to do before winter comes. Objects that we use every day such as a sink or microwave, have their own special jobs, to make things easier for humans.
Together we read the poem, “Things to Do If You Are a Tree,” by Laura Purdie Salas. In her poem, Salas uses personification, which is when a poet gives non-human things human qualities. Salas describes the tasks a tree accomplishes that is similar to human activities. Hug birds’ nest and lost kittens/Grow a leafy shirt/Set your alarm clock for spring.
Inspired by Salas, students created their own “To Do” Lists for pets, plants, and other unique things. Please read these wonderful poems below, and make sure you check important things off your own “To Do” lists.
Ms. Hayes 4th Grade
Group 1
Things To Do List with Jovalyn’s Cats
By Jovalyn G.
1. Feed them, eat food, drink water.
2. Play with siblings and dad.
3. Sleep with kitty mama.
4. Take a bath and beg.
5. They love to scratch Jovalyn on the leg.
An Apple’s To-Do List
by Lilith V.
An apple fills me up every day.
An apple falls off a tree every day.
An apple dyes its skin red.
An apple turns into apple pie.
My Dog’s To-Do List
by Josiah M.
Rolls on the floor.
Break’s paintings.
Climbs on things.
Chews on lettuce.
Slams herself on the couch.
Things To Do If You Are Charlie’s Cat
by Charlie C.
1. Climb a tree.
2. Go on Charlie’s lap and go to sleep.
3. Race my ferret.
4. Bite me and my ankles.
5. Eat and drink by her food bowl.
Ms. Gomez-Drakulich 4th Grade
Group 2
Eraser’s To-Do List
by Guadalupe A.
Eats mistakes.
Wears clothes.
Has cute decorations.
Has cute drawings.
Has a scented smell.
Things To-Do If You Are Simba (A Dog)
by Maya R.
Sleeps on floor.
Eats dog food.
Drinks water.
Barks at nobody, the air
Runs outside.
Things To Do If You Are a Book bag
by Sarahi H.
First, my back bag eats book.
Then, he rides on my back.
After that, spits out the books.
Before going to sleep, eats dinner last,
then goes to sleep.
Ms. Williams 4th Grade
Group 3
A Capybara’s To-Do List
by Jonael B.
First, be cute (check)
Second, be good (check)
Third, make memes (check)
Fourth, drive a Bugatti (check)
and last eat fruits. (check)
That’s a Capybara’s To-Do List
Things To-Do If You Are Mikayala
by Kenya H.
To be Mikayala eat a lot of
1. Candy and she throws her phone.
2. Throws her sister outside.
3. Go under the sea.
4. Talks too much.
5. Say, GET OUT.
6. Give a side eye.
7. Throws herself in a pile of snow.
8. Be sneaky.
Things To Do If You Are My Cat
by Amy D.P.G.
1. Wakes up in the morning and begs
my mom to give her food.
2. Clean her fur.
3. Fights my dog sparky.
4. Go on top of her cat tower
and watches what’s on TV.
5. Goes to sleep with Sparky.
Ms. Carther 4th Grade
Group 4
Things To Do If You Are A Cat
by Nadia T.
1. Goes in the litter box
2. Play with Nadia
3. Eats soup.
4. Goes outside.
5. Leaves fur everywhere.
Things to Do If I Were a Pencil
by Ethan C.
1. I would have to write my owner’s work.
2. Would have to erase.
3. Have to suffer in my owner’s pencil case.
4. Suffer getting stepped on.
5. At least I have a pillow.
6. At least I have friends, a lot like 10,000.
7. At least I get to sleep at 8:00pm.
8. At least I get a lot of sleep.
9. At least I get some new owners.
6. Clay eraser is weird.
My Dog’s Not To-Do List
by Andrew A.
To not chase squirrels.
To not pee on my bed.
To not sit on the couch.
To not dig holes in the backyard.
To not rip his toys.
To not break stuff around the house.
To not fight with my other dogs.
Things To Do If You Are a Plant
by Noah G.
Eat a lot of soil.
Be alive.
Drink a lot of water.
Be friends with other plants.
Be good and cool.
