Common Core and Poetry

Dollar

There is one that can clink

And one that can fold

“A dollar is a dollar is a dollar...”

But I am yet to be sold

White powder wig, 

And lips shut tight

Like Mona Lisa

No teeth in sight

or

Four little Presidents

Lined up one by one 

Can hope to be more

But only make one

Washington, 

Jefferson,

Roosevelt, 

and Lincoln

Ten that shine so bright 

20 that can stand upright 

And 100 copper men 

...with no hat in sight

E Pluribus Unum

“Out of many, one”

This stands for the 13

That also became One

by Charlie Chaffin

This poem can be used in conjunction with Shel Silverstein's poem called 'Smart.' Have you ever read it? It is so funny, so this kid gets a dollar but he keeps making bad trades because he thinks that 'more' is better. In the end, he ends up with five pennies instead of a dollar. Students are supposed to be making connections across texts so that they can integrate their knowledge. Hence, my poem about the dollar. I also suggest reading a book called Benny's Pennies. That would be a perfect addition to this introduction to money for kids. Have students demonstrate the kid's confusion about money in Silverstein's poem. Let students act out the scenarios with plastic or magnetic coins. This is critical thinking, baby.