1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. j_bits.txt File Contents

j_bits.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >

Little Bits

Most poems are about someone or something. Not these poems! These poems are about little bit words -- it, and, and but. What? Yes, poems can be about anything at all, even about little words.

Read the poem "'It' Is a Little Bit Word" on the screen below. You may want to compare this poem with Eve Merriam's "Basic for Irresponsibility" from A Sky Full of Poems. You may also want to look at "The Loser" in Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends.

"It" Is a Little Bit Word

As you've heard
If you've listened to it,
It is a little bit of a word.

But, it can run
It can sing
It can do amazing things.

It can cry
It can fly
It can be snow, rain or fog.

It can be dark or light
It can be hot or cold
It can be day or night.

You see, it is not it self,
But what it stands for.
It is never less or more.

It can be most any thing
But it can't be you or me.
It's a little bit word
But it stands for almost anything.

Write

Reread "'It' Is a Little Bit Word" below and see what changes you might make. As you read, think of new lines or stanzas that you might add.

"It" Is a Little Bit Word

As you've heard
If you've listened to it,
It is a little bit of a word.

But, it can run
It can sing
It can do amazing things.

It can cry
It can fly
It can be snow, rain or fog.

It can be dark or light
It can be hot or cold
It can be day or night.

You see, it is not it self,
But what it stands for.
It is never less or more.

It can be most any thing
But it can't be you or me.
It's a little bit word
But it stands for almost anything.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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There are other little words worth writing a poem about; for example, the word and. Think about the word and. Does and seem to stop or keep on going?

Here's a little verse about and:

"And" Is a Busybody

For a little word
And is a busybody
And goes on and on and on
Looks ahead and's never gone

Below is a copy of the first verse of "'And' Is a Busybody." Write another verse or two for the word "and."

"And" Is a Busybody

For a little word
And is a busybody
And goes on and on and on
Looks ahead and's never gone

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Another little word worth a poem is but. Think about the word but. Does but seem to see things one way or more than one way? Which word seems to fit the word but -- settle or change?

Complete a three-line verse for but:

For a little word
But <  >

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Write another verse or two for the word but, but first think about ways the word but is used. Read these examples and add to them.

I should clean my room, but...
I want to play ball, but...
I know it's nice out, but...
I can go, but..

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Here are some good words to consider in writing your poem about the word but:

change/mind
this/that
when/then
before/after
now/then
would/won't

My "But" Poem

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Rewrite/Edit

Read your poems over several times. Have your writing partner or your writing group read your poems out loud. Rewrite one or more of them, until they say what you want.


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

====================

end of activity
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