Ready Steady Read Together
Alice in Wonderland: Poetry Lesson 3
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?
The sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might…And this was odd, because it was the middle of the night.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Follow as I read
Explore
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright –
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done –
“It’s very rude of him,” she said,
“To come and spoil the fun!”
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry,
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead –
There were no birds to fly.
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,”
They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The Walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beech:
We cannot do with more than four.
To give a hand to each.”
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
billows
quantities
sulkily
maids
beseech
briny
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
billows
Explore
Find Read Talk
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright –
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
billows
Your turn
sulkily
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
quantities
maids
beseech
briny
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright –
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done –
“It’s very rude of him,” she said,
“To come and spoil the fun!”
The sea was wet as wet could be,
The sands were dry as dry,
You could not see a cloud, because
No cloud was in the sky:
No birds were flying overhead –
There were no birds to fly.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,”
They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The Walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beech:
We cannot do with more than four.
To give a hand to each.”
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,”
They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,”
They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright –
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Reveal Explainer
The poet’s use of alliteration creates a smooth, flowing rhythm. This calm and gentle repeated sound reflects the sound of the sea and gives the poem a playful quality. The personification within the words ‘his might’ makes it seem as if the sun is human and works hard to shine brightly, instead of it being a natural event. This strange and unusual image of a sun using effort to shine adds to the absurdity of the poem.
Teach
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Pairedreading first
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Alliteration:
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - the sun was shining on the sea - billows smooth and bright - the moon was shining sulkily - along the briny beach
the repetition of sounds gives the poem a rhythmic, playful quality
Personification:
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Text Mark Evidence - the sun was…shining with all his might - he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright
makes natural events seem deliberate and controlled
Text Mark Evidence - the moon was shining sulkily, because she thought the sun had got no business to be there after the day was done - it’s very rude of him…to come and spoil the fun
makes natural events seem deliberate and controlled
Go to the next slide for more...
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - the Walrus and the Carpenter were walking close at hand - they (Walrus and Carpenter) wept like anything to see such quantities of sand - if this (sand) were only cleared away…they said…it would be grand
shows how strange it would be if animals were given human behaviours, like walking, talking and showing emotions
Acceptable Answers
Personification:
Text Mark Evidence we cannot do with more than four…to give a hand to each
makes the Oysters seem vulnerable, like young children who hold hands on walks
Text Mark Evidence a pleasant walk, a pleasant talk
makes it seem safe and normal for prey to join predators on a trip
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Repetition:
Text Mark Evidence - the sea was wet as wet could be - the sands were dry as dry - you could not see a cloud, because no cloud was in the sky
emphasises the conditions
Hyperbole:
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence if seven maids with seven mops swept it (beach) for half a year, do you suppose…that they could get it clear
shows how impossible or unrealistic the ideas are
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘billows’?
Find Me
Find the word which means ‘to beg or plead’:
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!”
The Walrus did beseech.
“A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beech:
We cannot do with more than four.
To give a hand to each.”
Discuss then check
beseech
True or False?
The Walrus and Carpenter were crying because the sun was shining at night.
True
False
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A) large amounts
1) sulkily
B) in a grumpy or moody way
2) quantities
C) salty, like the sea
Check
3) maids
Click if correct
D) young women working as cleaners
4) briny
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
write your own poetry.
Reveal
Start with a short poem about your thoughts or surroundings.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
RSRT Y5 L3 Alice in Wonderland
Literacy Counts
Created on March 25, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Project Roadmap Timeline
View
Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Develop an Idea
View
Artificial Intelligence History Timeline
View
Momentum: Onboarding Presentation
View
Urban Illustrated Presentation
View
3D Corporate Reporting
View
Discover Your AI Assistant
Explore all templates
Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Alice in Wonderland: Poetry Lesson 3
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?
The sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might…And this was odd, because it was the middle of the night.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Follow as I read
Explore
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright – And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night. The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there After the day was done – “It’s very rude of him,” she said, “To come and spoil the fun!” The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry, You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky: No birds were flying overhead – There were no birds to fly.
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: “If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!” “If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?” “I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear. “O Oysters, come and walk with us!” The Walrus did beseech. “A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beech: We cannot do with more than four. To give a hand to each.”
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
billows
quantities
sulkily
maids
beseech
briny
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
billows
Explore
Find Read Talk
The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright – And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
billows
Your turn
sulkily
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
quantities
maids
beseech
briny
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
The Walrus and the Carpenter
The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright – And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night. The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there After the day was done – “It’s very rude of him,” she said, “To come and spoil the fun!” The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry, You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky: No birds were flying overhead – There were no birds to fly.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: “If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!” “If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?” “I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear. “O Oysters, come and walk with us!” The Walrus did beseech. “A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beech: We cannot do with more than four. To give a hand to each.”
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: “If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!” “If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?” “I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand:
“If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!”
“If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?”
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: “If this were only cleared away,” They said, “it would be grand!” “If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “that they could get it clear?” “I doubt it,” said the Carpenter, And shed a bitter tear.
Explore
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright – And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night.
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Reveal Explainer
The poet’s use of alliteration creates a smooth, flowing rhythm. This calm and gentle repeated sound reflects the sound of the sea and gives the poem a playful quality. The personification within the words ‘his might’ makes it seem as if the sun is human and works hard to shine brightly, instead of it being a natural event. This strange and unusual image of a sun using effort to shine adds to the absurdity of the poem.
Teach
From: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Pairedreading first
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Alliteration:
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - the sun was shining on the sea - billows smooth and bright - the moon was shining sulkily - along the briny beach
the repetition of sounds gives the poem a rhythmic, playful quality
Personification:
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Text Mark Evidence - the sun was…shining with all his might - he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright
makes natural events seem deliberate and controlled
Text Mark Evidence - the moon was shining sulkily, because she thought the sun had got no business to be there after the day was done - it’s very rude of him…to come and spoil the fun
makes natural events seem deliberate and controlled
Go to the next slide for more...
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence - the Walrus and the Carpenter were walking close at hand - they (Walrus and Carpenter) wept like anything to see such quantities of sand - if this (sand) were only cleared away…they said…it would be grand
shows how strange it would be if animals were given human behaviours, like walking, talking and showing emotions
Acceptable Answers
Personification:
Text Mark Evidence we cannot do with more than four…to give a hand to each
makes the Oysters seem vulnerable, like young children who hold hands on walks
Text Mark Evidence a pleasant walk, a pleasant talk
makes it seem safe and normal for prey to join predators on a trip
How does the poet use poetic features to create a sense of absurdity in the poem?
Repetition:
Text Mark Evidence - the sea was wet as wet could be - the sands were dry as dry - you could not see a cloud, because no cloud was in the sky
emphasises the conditions
Hyperbole:
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence if seven maids with seven mops swept it (beach) for half a year, do you suppose…that they could get it clear
shows how impossible or unrealistic the ideas are
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘billows’?
Find Me
Find the word which means ‘to beg or plead’:
“O Oysters, come and walk with us!” The Walrus did beseech. “A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beech: We cannot do with more than four. To give a hand to each.”
Discuss then check
beseech
True or False?
The Walrus and Carpenter were crying because the sun was shining at night.
True
False
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A) large amounts
1) sulkily
B) in a grumpy or moody way
2) quantities
C) salty, like the sea
Check
3) maids
Click if correct
D) young women working as cleaners
4) briny
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
write your own poetry.
Reveal
Start with a short poem about your thoughts or surroundings.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll © 1993 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.