Poetry Break - Refrain

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Prelutsky, Jack. 1992. Something Big Has Been Here. Ill. by James Stevenson. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0590455095

INTRODUCTION
Before reading/performing this humorous poem, get the students interested by showing them a stuffed animal or other toy that “talks.” This will keep them intrigued until the end of the poem, since they will not see the connection until the last line. You might also explain what a refrain is - let them listen to a refrain in a familiar song.

Hello! How Are You? I Am Fine!
By Jack Prelutsky

Hello! How are you? I am fine!
is all my dog will say,
he’s probably repeated it
a thousand time today.
He doesn’t bark his normal bark,
he doesn’t even whine,
he only drones the same Hello!
How are you? I am fine!

Hello! How are you? I am fine!
his message doesn’t change,
it’s gotten quite monotonous,
and just a trifle strange.
Hello! How are you? I am fine!
it makes the neighbors stare,
they’re unaware that yesterday
he ate my talking bear.

EXTENSION
Ask the students to pick out the refrain in this poem, then reread it. Have the students join you for the refrain. Students can also conduct a “poetry hunt,” and look for other poems with repeated lines or refrains that they can perform at a later time.