The Blood-Hungry Spleen and Other Poems About Our Parts
What’s inside...
More than three dozen poems describe individual parts of the body and what they do for us in a humorous and informative way. How many times a year does your heart beat? How big are your small intestines? It also makes a terrific and enriching addition to any life-science course and serves as a charming gateway into deeper discussions of the body.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you learn about the human body from these poems? Which part was the most interesting and why?
How do the funny and imaginative descriptions in the poems help you understand the functions of different body parts?
If you could write a poem about any part of the body, which one would you choose and what funny characteristics would you give it?
Why do you think the author chose to write about the body parts in a humorous way? How does it make you feel about learning science?
Can you think of a creative title for a poem about your favorite body part? What would the poem say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express which poem they found most amusing and explore further discussions about that body part.
Discuss the importance of each body part mentioned and its function, tying in how everything works together in the human body.
Create a drawing or a craft project based on their favorite poem to deepen their connection and understanding of the content.
Ask your child to imagine their own silly poem about a body part not covered in the book, encouraging creativity and reinforcing their learning.
Use the book as a fun starting point to discuss healthy habits and how we take care of our different body parts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding human anatomy
Explanation: Through whimsical poems, the book introduces various parts of the human body, making complex subjects accessible and engaging.
Real-World Application: Children can develop a foundational knowledge of how their bodies work, fostering a curiosity and respect for human biology.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for poetry and language
Explanation: The playful and clever use of rhymes and rhythms in describing the body parts helps familiarize children with poetic devices.
Real-World Application: This encourages linguistic skills and may inspire children to explore writing their own poems or engaging more deeply with literature.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: By personifying organs and bodily functions, the poems stir the imagination and present learning in a fun, memorable way.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use creativity as a tool for learning, helping them to visualize and remember new concepts easily.