Summary
Summary:
A. The activity begins with a discussion about a picture of a boy in a tree, prompting questions about his reasons for being there, what he is observing, and his thoughts.
B. The poem "Contemplation" describes the boy's experience of climbing a dappled yellow tree and observing the world around him. He sees green fields, shining rivers, playful sheep, and the distant, sunlit roofs of towns. The boy reflects on the vastness of the world and the many wonders it contains.
Key Vocabulary:
- dappled yellow tree: spotted yellow tree, possibly with yellow leaves
- gazed abroad: looked around
- bounded: surrounded
- hedge: a thick row of bushes
- swimming through: flowing through
- rushes: tall plants growing on the river's edge
C. Questions to consider include the possible location of the tree, the four things the poet saw from it, and personal experiences with climbing trees.
A. Look at the picture and discuss in groups the possible answers to these questions.
- Why is the boy up in the tree?
- What is he looking at?
- Guess what he is thinking about.
B. Read the poem and answer the following questions.
Contemplation
For days and days I've climbed a tree
A dappled yellow tree
And gazed abroad at many things
I've always wished to see.
I see the green and gentle fields
All bounded in with hedge
And shining rivers swimming through
The rushes on the edge,
And little sheep who play all day
I watch them as they run,
While far away the roofs of town
Are shining in the sun.
I think it's very nice to sit
So high and look so far----
How very large the world can be!
How many things there are!
John Carpenter
Note
dappled yellow tree - spotted yellow tree (the leaves may be yellow) gazed abroad - looked around
bounded - surrounded
hedge - a thick row of bushes swimming through - (the river like a person is swimming through) flowing through rushes - tall plants that grow on the river's edge
C. Ask and answer these questions.
- Where do you think the tree was?
- What were the four things the poet could see from the tree?
- Have you ever climbed a tree? If yes, what did you do it for? If not, why?
