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The Snowflake
A snowflake invites readers to take in its delicate beauty in this lovely, wintry poem.
By Walter de la Mare
From the February 2018 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will explain the text of a poem told from the point of view of a snowflake.
Featured Skill:
Author's Craft,
Standards
More About the Story
Skills
point of view, main idea, interpreting text, poetic structure
Complexity Factors
Levels of Meaning
The poem draws the reader’s attention to the fragile beauty of a snowflake. On a deeper level, it makes the point that some remarkable things exist only briefly, and we shouldn’t miss the chance to appreciate them.
Structure
The poem consists of one long stanza with an ABCB DEFE rhyme scheme. It is written from the point of view of a snowflake.
Language
The poem includes the words filigree and skyey, which might be unfamiliar to young readers.
Knowledge Demands
Experience with snow will be helpful.
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
1. Preparing to Read
Set a Purpose for Reading (2 minutes)
- Call on a volunteer to read the Up Close box for the class.
- Point out the word filigree in line 3. Explain that it means a delicate, lacy pattern.
2. Reading the Poem
Read the poem aloud for the class, or play our audio version. Then discuss the following questions.
Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions (15 minutes, activity sheet online)
- Reread the first two lines of the poem. How do you know that the snowflake itself is speaking? (point of view)
The lines contain the words I and me. Also, the line Before I melt indicates that a snowflake is speaking.
- What does the snowflake want you to notice about it? Why? Which words in the poem tell you this? (main idea)
It wants you to notice its beauty because it will soon vanish. The words lovely, beauty, and look at me draw attention to the snowflake’s appearance. Before I melt and I vanish Instantly help you understand that it will soon be gone.
- Reread lines 4-7. How could you say them in your own words? (interpreting text)
Answers should be similar to: In one night, I turn a whole forest completely white.
- Reread lines 12-13. What do you notice about the order of the words? Why do you think the poet wrote the words in this order? (poetic structure)
The words are not in the order in which people usually speak. The poet might have written them this way to give them a special sound, or to make sure that the end of line 13, see, rhymes with instantly.
The lines contain the words I and me. Also, the line Before I melt indicates that a snowflake is speaking.
It wants you to notice its beauty because it will soon vanish. The words lovely, beauty, and look at me draw attention to the snowflake’s appearance. Before I melt and I vanish Instantly help you understand that it will soon be gone.
Answers should be similar to: In one night, I turn a whole forest completely white.
The words are not in the order in which people usually speak. The poet might have written them this way to give them a special sound, or to make sure that the end of line 13, see, rhymes with instantly.
3. Skill Building
Invite students to write their own poems from the point of view of something in nature: a leaf, a spider web, a lightning bolt, and so on.
Science Connection! Have students go online to explore the science of snowflakes. Try www.noaa.gov/stories/how-dosnowflakes- form-science-behindsnow.
Text-to-Speech