When I was in third grade, my teacher required every student to memorize and recite a poem called "When Tillie Ate the Chili." It felt so difficult! No teacher had ever asked me to do that before. But with plenty of practice (and a lot of support and help from my parents), I was able to memorize the poem and perform it for my class. It had such a powerful impact on me, that I still remember the poem all these years later.
If your student is interested in earning extra credit for their reading grade, they are welcome to memorize and perform this poem once during the year. This would be in addition to the other six poems that they are required to recite -- one per term. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please let me know.
If your student is interested in earning extra credit for their reading grade, they are welcome to memorize and perform this poem once during the year. This would be in addition to the other six poems that they are required to recite -- one per term. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please let me know.
When Tillie Ate the Chili
By Jack Prelutsky
When Tillie at the chili,
she erupted from her seat,
she gulped a quart of water,
and fled screaming down the street,
she coughed, she wheezed, she sputtered,
she ran totally amok,
she set a new world record
as she raced around the block.
Tillie's mouth was full of fire,
Tillie's eyes were red with tears,
she was smoking from her nostrils,
she was steaming from her ears,
she cooled off an hour later,
showing perfect self control
as she said, "What tasty chili,
I should like another bowl."
she erupted from her seat,
she gulped a quart of water,
and fled screaming down the street,
she coughed, she wheezed, she sputtered,
she ran totally amok,
she set a new world record
as she raced around the block.
Tillie's mouth was full of fire,
Tillie's eyes were red with tears,
she was smoking from her nostrils,
she was steaming from her ears,
she cooled off an hour later,
showing perfect self control
as she said, "What tasty chili,
I should like another bowl."