Children act out the words as they chant the first verse of the classic poem “My Shadow,” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
Materials
- I Have a Little Shadow: Poem (PDF)
Preparation
- Familiarize yourself with the words and corresponding actions of the first and second verses of the poem “My Shadow.” If you wish, print out the poem.
- Note: There are additional verses of the poem, if you would like to view the full poem, search online for “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Directions: Lesson 3
Circle Time: Introduction
- Chant the first verse from the classic poem “My Shadow,” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Encourage children to join you in moving to the rhythm.
- I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
(Move as if playing with your shadow.) - And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
(Shrug and shake your head.) - He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
(Touch your heel, touch your head.) - And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
(Mime jumping with your hands, then jump.)
- I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
Directions: Lessons 4, 5
Circle Time: Wrap-Up
- Chant the first verse from the classic poem “My Shadow,” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Encourage children to join you in moving to the rhythm.
- I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
(Move as if playing with your shadow.) - And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
(Shrug and shake your head.) - He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
(Touch your heel, touch your head.) - And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
(Mime jumping with your hands, then jump.)
- I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
- Then follow it with the second verse as children act out how a shadow can get big and small and how it can disappear:
- The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow; - For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
(Stretch your arms over your head and stand on your tiptoes.) - And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.
(Scrunch down into a low squat and drop your head on your chest (to disappear).)
- The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
- Invite children to describe how a shadow can get big and small. You might ask: How did the shadow get so little that there was none of him at all? How does a shadow disappear?
- If using the full poem, read the final two verses now.
