Adapted from the poem by Eric Ode in I Hope I Don’t Strike Out, published by Meadowbrook Press.
Summary: A child gets a surprise
when she goes skiing.
Presentation Suggestions: Have the students read or perform the poem in front of the
class. Have the students act out the different lines while they read them.
Props: Winter clothes (like
gloves and a scarf), towels, or suntan lotion would make great props. If these
are not available, the poem can be performed without props.
Delivery: The lines of the poem need to be read with poetic rhythm.
For more information on poetic rhythm and how to perform poetry in classroom,
please read the Performing
Poetry section under the Teacher’s Resources.
Characters:
Narrator
Martha
We’re Going Skiing
Narrator:
My friend Martha called this morning
with this happy, hurried warning:
Martha:
“I asked Mom, and she’s agreeing.
Grab your stuff! We’re going
skiing!”
Narrator:
Nothing could have sounded better.
In a flash, I found my sweater,
then my gloves—a matching pair.
Next, my winter
underwear.
Found a parka, warm and fat.
Grabbed my scarf
and woolen hat.
Soon I heard a car arriving.
Martha’s mother, she was driving.
Martha gave a happy shout.
All my friends, they tumbled out,
cheering with a loud commotion,
throwing towels and suntan lotion.
What an unexpected sight!
Something simply wasn’t right.
I was in my scarf and boots.
They were in their swimming suits.
Martha stopped and scratched her
head.
Martha:
“Sorry if we stare,”
Narrator:
she said.
Martha:
“Maybe we’re not used to seeing
any kid or human being
dressed like that for water-skiing.”
© 2008 by Eric
Ode and Bruce Lansky. Adapted from the poem in I
Hope I Don't Strike Out!, published by Meadowbrook Press. This
classroom theater play version of “We’re Going Skiing” is © 2008 by Meadowbrook
Press.
Permission is given for individual
school classes to perform this play and to make as many copies of the play as
are needed for the students’ use. All other reproduction and performance is
prohibited under penalty of law. For use of this play outside individual
classes, please contact info@meadowbrookpress.com for permission.
Click on the book
below for more information about
“I Hope I Don’t
Strike Out!”