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

Lesson 52: The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

by Edward Lear

Performer: Librivox - Kara Shallenberg

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 Owl and the Pussy-Cat sail on the sea, buy a ring from a piggy, get married, and dance in the light of the moon.

Vocabulary

Note (Five-Pound): Paper money.
Fowl: A bird kept for its meat and its eggs including turkeys, geese, and ducks.
Tarried: Stay longer than intended.
Bong-tree: A tropical evergreen tree.
Shilling: A former British coin.
Mince: Abbreviation for mincemeat - which refers to finely chopped meat or a mixture of currants, raisins, sugar, apples, candied citrus peel, spices, and suet, typically baked in a pie.
Quince: A hard, acid, pear-shaped fruit.
Runcible: A nonsense word invented by the poet. Modern dictionaries define a 'runcible spoon' as a fork with three curved tines.

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:

• Cats
• Book of Mice
• Trombone
• Owl
• Musical Horns
• Spectacles
• Gold Medallion on a Chain
• Gold Container with Lid
• Book Stand
• Table
• Arch

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 55 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat.'

1 / 3

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat sail on the sea, buy a ring from a piggy, get married, and dance in the light of the moon.

2 / 3

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?

3 / 3

Answer 3

The owl, the pussy-cat, the piggy, and the turkey.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Owl and the Pussy-Cat.'
2. What happens in the poem? The Owl and the Pussy-Cat sail on the sea, buy a ring from a piggy, get married, and dance in the light of the moon.
3. Who are the characters in the poem? The owl, the pussy-cat, the piggy, and the turkey.