Shel Silverstein Books Lesson Plans

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All the Colors I am Inside

Lesson Plan:

​Activity:

All the Colors I am Inside

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed. 

Age Group:

Preschool

* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with school-age children.

Objectives:  

Children will:

• create a representation of their own unique inside colors as inspired by the poem titled Colors by Shel Silverstein.

All the Colors I am Inside

CDA Competency Standard:   

II.9.3a 

• Candidate promotes children’s sense of belonging in the classroom community.
  • ​​​A) Encourages children’s social interactions.

11.9.4b

• Candidate helps children experience sympathy/empathy and respect for others.
  • ​​B) Discusses diversity comfortably when interacting with children.
    

Materials: 

• white sheets of paper
• coloring materials
• black marker​

PDF: COLORS, by Shel Silverstein 

Anticipatory Set:

• Talk to the children about diversity.
  
• Explain that we are all different both on the inside and on the outside.
  
• Just because we have different skin, hair, sizes, etc, doesn’t mean that anyone is any less special.
  
• Read the poem Colors by Shel Silverstein to the class at circle time.
  
• When finishing the poem, invite the children to discuss what they think the poem meant.
  
• Explain that everyone has “inside colors” which may mean their personality, hobbies, culture, and more things that make them who they are.
  
• Invite the children to create their own inside colors.

Procedure: 

• The children will use the black marker to draw an outline of themselves.
  
• They may make it a silhouette of themselves, or choose a different shape.
  
• The teacher should create an example for students to understand.
  
• Adapt this step to meet the needs of the children.
• The children can use the coloring materials to fill in the outline.
  
• Some children may use multiple colors, some may mix and layer colors, and some may use one color.
  
• Children are creating a representation of themselves and should be given the freedom to do so in whatever way they would like.
• When children are finished inventing their inside colors, they should have the opportunity to share their creations with another student.
  
• Pair the children up and instruct them to compare, contrast, and compliment their partner’s creation.

Assessment: 

• Observe and assess children while comparing and contrasting their inside color creations. Were they respectful? Did they understand that it is alright to be different? Did they have reactions that you expected?
  

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Using Shel Silverstein Poetry in Early Childhood

When first using the poems of Shel Silverstein in the classroom, it is best to choose a poem that is short and exciting. Doing so will give children the motivation to listen attentively and strengthen their active listening skills. When reciting the same poem often, eventually children will be able to recite the poem themselves, giving you an avenue for assessment or the opportunity to scaffold that ability with a new poem or concept.

Here is an example of a Shel Silverstein poem to recite to a preschool group:

Snowball
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first—it wet the bed.

Children will understand that the snowball melted because it was too warm in the house! They will most likely want to retell this poem to others, or wish to hear it again because of the silly nature.