The Poetry of Mother Goose Mother Goose    

Lesson 3: Fingers and Toes

Performer: Librivox - Allyson Hester

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

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

Synopsis

The poem is a riddle which demonstrates the importance of proper punctuation. Upon a first reading, the poem seems to make outlandish claims (every lady has 20 nails on each hand and every lady has 25 nails on hands and feet). Upon further examination, the poem only makes true statements (every lady has 20 nails, every lady has 5 nails upon each hand, and every lady has 20 nails upon hands and feet).

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: Narrate the Poem

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

Activity 3: Color the Poem   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 7 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for Kindergarten.'

Activity 4: Act Out the Poem

• Count your fingernails and toenails. How many total nails do you have?
• How many nails do you have on one hand?

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

• One day this week, trace an outline of your foot and your hand on paper.
• Draw fingernails on the fingers and toenails on the toes.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'Fingers and Toes.'

1 / 6

Question 2

What happens in the poem?

2 / 6

Answer 2

This poem is a riddle. Read the poem again. How can it be true as read?

2 / 6

Question 3

Who are the characters in the poem?

3 / 6

Answer 3

Every lady in the land.

3 / 6

Question 4

Does the poem teach us anything?

4 / 6

Answer 4

It teaches us that punctuation is important.

4 / 6

Question 5

What is the answer to the poem riddle?

5 / 6

Answer 5

Considering proper punctuation, the poem makes the following true statements. Every lady in this land has twenty nails. Every lady has five nails upon each hand. Every lady has twenty nails on hand and feet.

5 / 6

Question 6

Describe the poem picture and how it relates to the poem.

6 / 6

Answer 6

The picture shows a fine lady examining the five nails on one hand.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'Fingers and Toes.'
2. What happens in the poem? This poem is a riddle. Read the poem again. How can it be true as read?
3. Who are the characters in the poem? Every lady in the land.
4. Does the poem teach us anything? It teaches us that punctuation is important.
5. What is the answer to the poem riddle? Considering proper punctuation, the poem makes the following true statements. Every lady in this land has twenty nails. Every lady has five nails upon each hand. Every lady has twenty nails on hand and feet.
6. Describe the poem picture and how it relates to the poem. The picture shows a fine lady examining the five nails on one hand.