JR Poulter
TEACHER’S REVENGE !
“Time, boys time!” the teacher said,
“Enough’s enough, now off to bed!”
At least ten minutes we stayed before
Cautiously opening the dormitory door,
Held our breath and tiptoed out.
Everyone was just about
Ready to raid the pantry when –
‘“So! Caught out red-handed then!”
Right, left, right to the dorm we went,
Each of us dreading sir’s intent –
Very grounded the rest of term or
Each of us feel the cane’s full furor!
Now we all think twice about
Going forth after lights are out!
Everyone KNOWS what waits without!
J.R.POULTER
ACROSTIC – TEACHER’S REVENGE Teacher Notes by J.R.Poulter
My father was sent to boarding school from an early age. His stories of life in a large boarding school, about what the boys got up to, inspired my acrostic.
School life today is both the same and very different.
Activity: List ways school life has not changed.
List ways in which it has changed.
Are the changes for the better or worse?
In giving you answer, write an acrostic using the word,
YES, for changes to the better, and the word, NAY, for changes for the worse.
Teacher Notes:
English writing skills
Write a short description of what you would feel if you woke Christmas morning to not one present. Compare this to finding your Christmas wish granted had been granted.
Drawing and emotional intelligence
Draw a four frame comic showing the changes a thoughtful gift can make to a sad person’s facial expression.
Team work:
List ways the class could work together to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate folk this Christmas. With your teacher’s guidance, implement one of your class’s projects.
Sequencing:
Make a photo diary of how you all worked to achieve your outcome as a class.
Pic and poem and teacher notes by J.R.Poulter
Teacher notes: Great ideas on using this poem in your classroom
Themes: rules, boundaries, pet care, living together harmoniously, thinking of others.
Classroom: Write a list of rules, explain why they would be good rules. Write a story or poem, or draw a picture about a funny ‘oopsie’ with a new pet or a younger sister or brother.
Discussion – Why do we have rules in the classroom, rules on the roads.
Why do we have laws?
What would happen if no one obeyed rules, if there were no boundaries, no laws or penalties for breaking them?
Australian Children’s Poetry 