Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo
What’s inside...
A sijo, a traditional Korean verse form, has a fixed number of stressed syllables and a humorous or ironic twist at the end. Like haiku, sijo are brief and accessible, and the witty last line winds up each poem with a surprise. The verses in this book illuminate funny, unexpected, amazing aspects of the everyday--of breakfast, thunder and lightning, houseplants, tennis, freshly laundered socks. Carefully crafted and deceptively simple, Linda Sue Park's sijo are a pleasure to read and an irresistible invitation to experiment with an unfamiliar poetic form. Istvan Banyai's irrepressibly giddy and sophisticated illustrations add a one-of-a-kind luster to a book that is truly a gem.
Age
4-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience while reading the various sijo poems in the book?
Which poem was your favorite and what did you like about it?
How do the illustrations complement the poems? Can you think of a different way to draw one of them?
If you could write your own sijo poem, what would it be about?
How do you think the author feels about the subjects of her poems?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about each poem, fostering a deeper connection and understanding. Use the book’s diverse themes to introduce new topics or ideas that might be unfamiliar. Discussing the illustrations can help enhance visual literacy skills, prompting your child to think about how visuals and text work together. Lastly, consider creating poems together as a fun activity that also boosts creativity and language skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: The book, through its collection of sijo (a traditional Korean poetic form), encourages children to express themselves creatively.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use poetry or art to convey their feelings and experiences, fostering emotional growth and self-expression.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: By introducing young readers to a form of poetry popular in Korea, the book provides a glimpse into another culture, promoting diversity.
Real-World Application: Children can develop respect and curiosity for cultures different from their own, enhancing social inclusiveness and global awareness.
Example Lesson: Observation and Insight
Explanation: The sijo poems in the book often involve keen observations about everyday life turned into thoughtful reflections.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of observing the world around them and finding deeper meaning in ordinary things.
Example Lesson: Humor and Perspective
Explanation: Many poems in the book incorporate humor and a playful tone to discuss different perspectives on common situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach life challenges with humor and understand that problems can be viewed from multiple angles.
Example Lesson: Language Skills
Explanation: Engaging with poetic expressions and varied vocabulary helps to enhance linguistic abilities and comprehension skills.
Real-World Application: Children can improve their reading, writing, and verbal communication skills, aiding academic success and personal expression.