Ready Steady Read Together
A Child's Garden of Verses: Poetry Lesson 2
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
We see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam –
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes
To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; All below grows black as night, Just as if mother Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute – See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by.
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
looking-glass
paven
wimple
blots
pursue
by-and-by
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
looking-glass
Explore
Find Read Talk
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam –
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!
Reveal Vocabulary
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
looking-glass
Your turn
wimple
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
paven
blots
pursue
by-and-by
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam –
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes
To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool;
Reveal Vocabulary
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; All below grows black as night, Just as if mother Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute – See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by.
Reveal Vocabulary
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes
To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool; Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places, Dim and very cool;
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout,
Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes
To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces
Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places,
Dim and very cool; Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel,
Here a wimple, there a gleam –
O the clean gravel!
O the smooth stream!
Reveal Explainer
The poem’s title ‘Looking-Glass River’ is a metaphor that suggests that the river’s surface is so smooth and reflective it is like a mirror. This shows that at the beginning of the poem, the surface is still and calm, before it is disturbed later in the poem.
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Teach
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it (water) slides upon its travel - o the smooth stream - paven pools as clear as air
water is smooth and clear
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence here a wimple, there a gleam
shiny surface reflects light and movement
Text Mark Evidence we can see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool
water acts like a mirror
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Text Mark Evidence till a wind or water wrinkle, dipping marten, plumping trout
wind and animals disturb the surface
Text Mark Evidence water wrinkle…spreads in a twinkle
ripples quickly cover the surface
Text Mark Evidence - blots it (reflection) all out - all below grows black as night
surface becomes dark and unclear
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - see the rings pursue each other - see the spreading circles die
ripples form circular patterns
Text Mark Evidence - the spreading circles die - the stream and all in it will clear by-and-by
ripples begin to calm and the water begins to clear
Text Mark Evidence looking-glass river
comparison to a mirror through metaphor
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - travel/gravel, gleam/stream - fishes/wishes, air/there - faces/places, pool/cool
ABAB rhyming pattern shows the rhythmic movement of the river
personification describing the river’s movement as human-like
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it slides upon its travel - see the rings pursue each other
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it slides - smooth stream - paven pools - till a wind or water wrinkle
alliteration as a sound device to mirror the river’s movement
Text Mark Evidence - paven pools as clear as air - all below grows black as night, just as if mother had blown out the light
comparisons to familiar items through simile
Text Mark Evidence - o the clean gravel - o the smooth stream - how a child wishes to live down there
exclamations for emphasis
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - sailing blossoms - silver fishes - we can see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool
imagery
Text Mark Evidence down in cool places, dim and very cool
repetition for emphasis
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘looking glass’?
Tick Me
Just as if mother had blown out the light!What does this suggest to the reader?
Tick all that apply:
A) The water becomes dark quite suddenly.
B) The water is muddy and polluted.
Check
C) The mother is watching the children at the water.
D) The poem is set in a time before electric lights were common.
Click if correct
Match Me
Match each word with the correct definition:
3) blot
4) pursue
1) wimple
2) paven
C) to cover or darken something
A) made smooth or covered with stones
D) a small ripple or bend on the surface of water
B) to follow closely or chase
Click if correct
Check
Sequence Me
Put the following events in the correct order:
A) Rings of ripples began to fade as the stream began to clear.
B) The water turned as black as night.
C) The children could see their faces reflected on the pool.
D) The water’s surface was wrinkled by a marten or trout.
Click if correct
Check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
Reveal
draw what you imagine.
Sketch scenes or feelings inspired by the poem.
RSRT Y6 L2 A Child's Garden of Verses
Literacy Counts
Created on February 27, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Essential Business Proposal
View
Project Roadmap Timeline
View
Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Develop an Idea
View
Artificial Intelligence History Timeline
View
Magazine dossier
View
Microlearning: Graphic Design
View
Microlearning: Enhance Your Wellness and Reduce Stress
Explore all templates
Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
A Child's Garden of Verses: Poetry Lesson 2
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
We see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel, Here a wimple, there a gleam – O the clean gravel! O the smooth stream! Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air – How a child wishes To live down there! We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool;
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; All below grows black as night, Just as if mother Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute – See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by.
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
looking-glass
paven
wimple
blots
pursue
by-and-by
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
looking-glass
Explore
Find Read Talk
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel, Here a wimple, there a gleam – O the clean gravel! O the smooth stream!
Reveal Vocabulary
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
looking-glass
Your turn
wimple
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
paven
blots
pursue
by-and-by
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel, Here a wimple, there a gleam – O the clean gravel! O the smooth stream! Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air – How a child wishes To live down there! We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool;
Reveal Vocabulary
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out. See the rings pursue each other; All below grows black as night, Just as if mother Had blown out the light! Patience, children, just a minute – See the spreading circles die; The stream and all in it Will clear by-and-by.
Reveal Vocabulary
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air – How a child wishes To live down there! We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool; Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes,
Paven pools as clear as air –
How a child wishes To live down there!
We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool
Down in cool places, Dim and very cool;
Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout,
Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Sailing blossoms, silver fishes, Paven pools as clear as air – How a child wishes To live down there! We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool; Till a wind or water wrinkle, Dipping marten, plumping trout, Spreads in a twinkle And blots all out.
Explore
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Looking-Glass River
Smooth it slides upon its travel, Here a wimple, there a gleam – O the clean gravel! O the smooth stream!
Reveal Explainer
The poem’s title ‘Looking-Glass River’ is a metaphor that suggests that the river’s surface is so smooth and reflective it is like a mirror. This shows that at the beginning of the poem, the surface is still and calm, before it is disturbed later in the poem.
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Teach
From: A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson originally published in 1885. Public Domain applies.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it (water) slides upon its travel - o the smooth stream - paven pools as clear as air
water is smooth and clear
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence here a wimple, there a gleam
shiny surface reflects light and movement
Text Mark Evidence we can see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool
water acts like a mirror
A) How does the water’s surface change throughout the poem?
Text Mark Evidence till a wind or water wrinkle, dipping marten, plumping trout
wind and animals disturb the surface
Text Mark Evidence water wrinkle…spreads in a twinkle
ripples quickly cover the surface
Text Mark Evidence - blots it (reflection) all out - all below grows black as night
surface becomes dark and unclear
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - see the rings pursue each other - see the spreading circles die
ripples form circular patterns
Text Mark Evidence - the spreading circles die - the stream and all in it will clear by-and-by
ripples begin to calm and the water begins to clear
Text Mark Evidence looking-glass river
comparison to a mirror through metaphor
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - travel/gravel, gleam/stream - fishes/wishes, air/there - faces/places, pool/cool
ABAB rhyming pattern shows the rhythmic movement of the river
personification describing the river’s movement as human-like
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it slides upon its travel - see the rings pursue each other
B) How does the poet’s use of poetic features and figurative language help the reader to imagine the river?
Text Mark Evidence - smooth it slides - smooth stream - paven pools - till a wind or water wrinkle
alliteration as a sound device to mirror the river’s movement
Text Mark Evidence - paven pools as clear as air - all below grows black as night, just as if mother had blown out the light
comparisons to familiar items through simile
Text Mark Evidence - o the clean gravel - o the smooth stream - how a child wishes to live down there
exclamations for emphasis
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - sailing blossoms - silver fishes - we can see our coloured faces floating on the shaken pool
imagery
Text Mark Evidence down in cool places, dim and very cool
repetition for emphasis
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘looking glass’?
Tick Me
Just as if mother had blown out the light!What does this suggest to the reader?
Tick all that apply:
A) The water becomes dark quite suddenly.
B) The water is muddy and polluted.
Check
C) The mother is watching the children at the water.
D) The poem is set in a time before electric lights were common.
Click if correct
Match Me
Match each word with the correct definition:
3) blot
4) pursue
1) wimple
2) paven
C) to cover or darken something
A) made smooth or covered with stones
D) a small ripple or bend on the surface of water
B) to follow closely or chase
Click if correct
Check
Sequence Me
Put the following events in the correct order:
A) Rings of ripples began to fade as the stream began to clear.
B) The water turned as black as night.
C) The children could see their faces reflected on the pool.
D) The water’s surface was wrinkled by a marten or trout.
Click if correct
Check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
Reveal
draw what you imagine.
Sketch scenes or feelings inspired by the poem.