By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Yolen, Jane and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Dear mother, dear daughter: poems for young people. Boyds Mills Press: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. 2001.
Ask students if they have ever gotten into trouble at school.
Call on students to tell their stories.
Read the poem " Note from My Teacher".
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
I want to explain--
I have to tell--
when class was over
and they rang the bell,
my entire class
was in the hall.
We started throwing
a soccer ball.
A window broke.
A teacher came.
When no one spoke
I took the blame.
I had to,
though it wasn't me.
I have a note
for you to see.
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
So here's a note
That says it all
You did not lie,
I'm standing tall:
Dear Teacher,
I am proud this day
My daughter did not run away.
She stood her ground.
She took the blame
Though others, too,
Were in the game.
I'm not excusing
What was done--
Destruction
In the name of fun.
But that she stood
And said aloud
What others did not dare --
I'm proud.
Discuss the poem. Ask the students what may have happened to the girl- "Did she get in trouble"? "Do you think she got grounded"?
Write down what the students think happened to the girl for the trouble she was in.
Take a vote on student ideas.
Read the next poem "Note for Your Teacher".
Discuss the outcome of the situation. Bring the concept of honesty into play.