Hi fellow teachers! Here’s a fun riddle poem with math (measuring and weighing) and science tie-ins for you to use in your Grades 2-4 (or ELL, ESL elementary) classrooms. Find teaching ideas, a printable PDF as well as a PPT version below. Let me know if you use the poem – I’d love to hear how it goes.
Watch a video of the Spring Nature Riddle poem here:
What Am I?
Smaller than your fingernail
Or bigger than your head
Up a tree or on the ground
Twigs can make my bed
Lighter than a butterfly
Or heavier than clay
In a cup or on a plate
I help you start the day
answer: an egg
Download a PDF, black & white, printable version of the poem (with and without the answer for use in class):
Download a PPT slide version of the poem:
Teaching Ideas
- Math tie-ins: measuring, measurements, and referents: elicit and/or brainstorm list of things that could be smaller than a fingernail and/or bigger than a child’s head. Measure some of these items and record them.
- Math and science tie-ins, including inquiry questions: balance and weight: elicit and/or brainstorm a list of things that could be lighter than a butterfly and/or heavier than clay. Encourage students to use inquiry to find the best way to weigh some of these items. Use scales to weigh some of them, if possible/appropriate.
- Science and health tie-in: food and nutrition: brainstorm different ways to cook eggs; label the different parts of an egg
- Art and science tie-in: research then make or draw a bird’s nest containing one or more eggs; discover different egg colours
- Easter tie-in: use the poem as a warm-up, filler, or fun end to a class about Easter eggs!
Happy Teaching! Kim x
Kim T. Harrison 