Questions for the Clouds

big idea, interpreting text, author’s craft

On one level, the poem is a list of questions of the type that might drift through one’s mind while gazing at clouds. On another level, the poem illustrates how much uncertainty we live with and how many things we just don’t know. 

The poem is free verse and has 14 lines.

The language is conversational. The word cherished is defined on the page.

No special knowledge is required.  

• Invite students to read the title of the poem and look at the picture on the page. Ask: What might the boy in the picture be thinking about? How do you think it relates to the title of the poem?
• Ask a volunteer to read aloud the Up Close box.

• Read the poem aloud for the class, or play our video, in which the poet Jennifer Dignan reads the poem for students.

• In this poem, the poet asks different kinds of questions. Some are about herself. Some have answers and some don’t. What is an example of a question she asks about herself? (interpreting text) Lines 4-6 and lines 13 and 14 are questions about herself.
• What is an example of a question that could be answered? (interpreting text) Lines 7 and 8 could be answered.
  
• Why do you think the poet starts with the question “Why do my dog’s feet smell like corn chips?” (author’s craft) This line presents a funny and unexpected question. It makes the reader want to find out what else the poet wonders about.
  
• Read the last line of the poem. Why do you think the poet asks this? (author’s craft) Throughout the poem, the poet questions many different things. The second to last line is “Why do I feel certain of nothing?” As she is writing a poem, it makes sense for her to also wonder what a poem is. It is an example of how, as humans, we reflect on the meaning and purpose of what we do.
  
• Think about all the questions together. What do you think a “question for the clouds” is? (big idea) A question for the clouds is one that comes to you when you let your mind wander; for example, if you were staring at clouds and thinking. It is a question about anything you want to know, whether it could be answered or not. It is a question that makes you reflect about yourself and about the world.
  

• Distribute or assign the Poetry Kit and the Poetry Writing activity (available in your Resources tab), which will guide students to write a poem with their own questions for the clouds!

• After reading the poem, ask students to go outside and look at the clouds and let their minds wander. What questions come to them? Suggest that they bring a notebook and jot down their thoughts.
• Have students write their own poems using the Poetry Writing activity. Then have them record their poems using Flipgrid to share with the class.