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Sniff, Sniff, Take a Whiff - A poem about the senses
By Josie
13 June 2008

I've done funny poems about noses, educational ones etc - but this is just designed to make younger children think.  It is meant to be a jaunty poem but the sneeze in the middle slows the pace for a moment, ready for the next run.  I think children would like performing this poem, with their handkerchiefs at the ready for the SNEEZE in the middle.  The "blowing" the "snoring" - and I am not sure about the picking, would be good action things for them to work into a group performance.  Yes, they would enjoy this.


 

        


       

        Well, I’m not being nosey but have you studied your nose?
        Did you think to yourself “It should be nearer my toes? 
            Or perhaps you have thought:  “Well I don’t like its size,”  
            Or considered the fact that it’s too near your eyes? 

        Did you weigh up the fact that it needs lots of attention? - 
        The cleaning, the picking are just two things to mention.  
            The blowing, the snoring,  the running and -  please!   
                                                -  Ahhhhh!  -
             Stand well away, for here comes my SNEEZE -


                                            Aaaaaachoooooo! 

                                                           
nose


 

         It’s a really good job it’s attached to our brain –
        And it’s one thing of many, all linked in a chain. 
           When the nose tells the brain “There’s good food nearby”
           Your tastebuds feel happy and think “Oooh we'll give it a try!”

        It takes in a message when danger is near –
        If it’s just toast that’s burning you’ve not much to fear.  
           But if your nose wakes you up in the middle of night  
           And the house is on fire – My word!  What a fright! 

        The nose is quite happy with sweet smelling scent,
        But bad smells like bonfires are things that torment.  
            So love your poor nose, for it works hard for you,  
           And with this sweet smelling message I'll wish you adieu.





Copyright 2008
www.whiteheadm.co.uk

Reviews

Written by DaleGorder (46 comments posted) 13th June 2008
Written by a master :)

Written by mia_ms_kim (1019 comments posted) 13th June 2008
Nathan enjoyed the first 2 stanzas as I suspected he would. He laughed at the idea of the nose being near the toes and the sneeze. He went on about boys and men sneezing when they look at the sun. (He got it from his dad. They sneeze twice in harmony when the sunlight first hits them!) 
 
He was a little lost afterwards, again as I suspected he would be. He doesn't really understand yet that he's got a brain or the dangers of fire! 
 
Mia 8)
Actions
Written by patterjack (1196 comments posted) 13th June 2008
... are possible for parts of this poem -- but it would not be all that easy to dramatise in the purest sense of the word 
 
Second last line needs a correction from for it is works hard 
 
patterjack

Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 14th June 2008
Thank you all. Yes, a little boy like Nathan, still learning his English, might find the last part a little difficult Mia, I would guage this poem for Key Stage 2 - 7 to 8 year olds and probably up to 10. It would accompany a lesson where they are learning how the nose works etc. There would be a lot more factual learning around the poem. Thanks Brian. You are quite right. I've done poems which are definitely for acting, but this poem could be read between four pupils for performance, and probably come together for the sneeze. I agree with you that poems need to be heard, and children gain a lot by performing poems in a class in either small groups or singly. It helps them to develop confidence. I didn't want it to be too heavy with facts, and be fairly lighthearted as factual information should accompany it.

Written by Fledermaus (3306 comments posted) 14th June 2008
Closer to your toes? why??? Indeed somehow this reads like something that should be performed rather than read. It'd almost fit in the scripts section.

Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 15th June 2008
Oh Goodness! Fledermaus - don't you work out things for yourself? Closer to your toes? You'd be more aware of when your socks needed to be changed! Didn't you think of this for yourself? Or, if you were wearing open toed sandals and no socks, you would not have to bend to smell the flowers! Honestly - where's your imagination? ha ha Do I have to tell you everything? We've missed you on GW

Written by CatGem (33 comments posted) 15th June 2008
What a lovely piece!

Written by 1211kellie (165 comments posted) 15th June 2008
Good poem Josie - loved the sneezing bit in the middle (having been suffering from a good cold this weekend I had my far share of blowing and sneezing too) 8)

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