Halfway Downby A. A. Milne

Included: A brief excerpt from the book and rigorous question set activities

promoting higher level-thinking development

Additional Resources

Tier 1

poetry selection

Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives

Habits of Mind

Obtain the book from a school library to read the story in its entirety and complete the ladder activities.

Students will be able:Ladder CC1 Literary Elements - To identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic-device.C2 Inference - To use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas, or character analysis.C3 Theme/Concept - To identify a major idea or theme common in the text.

Ladder DD1 Paraphrasing - Students will be able to restate lines read using their own words.D2 Summarizing - Students will be able to provide a synopsis of text sections.D3 Creative Synthesis - Students will create something new using what they have learned from reading and their synopses.

Habits of Mind

Working Interdependently

Thinking about Thinking (metacognition)

Innovating, Creating, Imagining

Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladder C & D Thinking Questions.

Tier 2Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder C & D Questions

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames).

Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

C1—The setting of this poem is a simple stair. What do you think this setting might represent beyond just stairs?

C2—What inference do you draw about the narrator’s feelings about staying in the middle of the stair? Why doesn’t the narrator choose the top or bottom? What would have done if you were the narrator? Why?

D1—Explain the following lines in your own words: “Halfway up the stairs/ Isn’t up/ And it isn’t down./ It isn’t in the nursery,/ It isn’t in town.

Tier 3Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder C & D Questions

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames).Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

C3—The theme of this poem is about staying in the middle. Create a poem about this state of being as used in the poem or a poem that reflects the opposite state of being-taking a strong stand or being on the edge.D2—You have been asked to interview the author. What words/sentences would the author use to describe the feelings about the position on the stairs on which he chooses to sit.D3—Create a poem that uses one of the following images to convey a similar feeling and idea that this poem does:

•Sitting on a fence•Being halfway finished with a task•Not being awake or asleep

Tier 4

Reflections/Relevance

Choose one of the writing ideas to complete.  Be creative. 

1. Find other writings by A. A. Milne. Compare and contrast those writings to the poem. Use a graphic organizer to help write an letter to the author about your findings.

2. Research the author A. A. Milne. Find out all you can about him. Organize your information to share with others.

Suggested project strategies:  Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.