Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 23: Robin Redbreast

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


Goodbye, goodbye to Summer!

For Summer's nearly done;

The garden smiling faintly,

Cool breezes in the sun;

Our Thrushes now are silent,

Our Swallows flown away,-

But Robin's here, in coat of brown,

With ruddy breast-knot gay.

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

Robin singing sweetly

In the falling of the year.



Bright yellow, red, and orange,

The leaves come down in hosts;

The trees are Indian Princes,

But soon they'll turn to Ghosts;

The scanty pears and apples

Hang russet on the bough,

It's Autumn, Autumn, Autumn late,

'Twill soon be Winter now.

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

And welaway! my Robin,

For pinching times are near.



The fireside for the Cricket,

The wheatstack for the Mouse,

When trembling night-winds whistle

And moan all round the house;

The frosty ways like iron,

The branches plumed with snow,-

Alas! in Winter, dead and dark,

Where can poor Robin go?

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear,

And a crumb of bread for Robin,

His little heart to cheer.

    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 23: Robin Redbreast

by William Allingham

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

The poem narrator warns a robin that summer is ending and winter is near, describing the changes in weather, flora, fauna the accompany the fall.

Vocabulary

Thrushes: A songbird, typically having a brown back, spotted breast, and loud song.
Swallows: A migratory swift-flying songbird with a forked tail and long pointed wings, feeding on insects in flight.
Robin: A large New World thrush that typically has a reddish breast.
Scanty: Small or insufficient in quantity or amount.
Welaway: Alas; An expression of sadness or regret.
Pinching Times: The time to harvest or prune a plant; Also, a time of hardship.
Plumed: Spread out in a shape resembling a feather.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Companion Painting

  • Study the painting below, and describe it in your own words.

Find the following in the companion painting:

  • Fairies
  • Robin
  • Leash
  • Flowers
  • Leaves
  • Seeds and Berries
  • Tiny bird

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to each verse of the poem, narrate the verse events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 26 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 4

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'Robin Redbreast.'
1 / 4

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 4

Answer 2

The poem warns a robin that winter is near and describes the changes of the fall season.
2 / 4

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?
3 / 4

Answer 3

The narrator, the robin, other fauna.
3 / 4

Question 4

Does the poem teach us anything?
4 / 4

Answer 4

The poem reminds us to prepare for upcoming winters.
4 / 4

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'Robin Redbreast.'
  2. What happens in the poem? The poem warns a robin that winter is near and describes the changes of the fall season.
  3. Who are the characters in the poem? The narrator, the robin, other fauna.
  4. Does the poem teach us anything? The poem reminds us to prepare for upcoming winters.