Mithing Tooth by Kenn Nesbitt

“Mithing Tooth ”

Poetry Theater
A poem in two voices



Adapted from the poem by Kenn Nesbitt in The Aliens Have Landed!, published by Meadowbrook Press.




Summary: A child has lost a front tooth, making it difficult to pronounce some words. The child gets frustrated when Mom misunderstands everything the child says.
Presentation Suggestions: Have the students read or perform the poem in front of the class. Have the students act out the different lines while they read them.


Props: A black piece of construction paper cut to cover the front tooth of the student playing the child (giving the appearance of a missing tooth) would be a great prop, but if paper is not available the poem can be performed without it.


Delivery: The lines of the poem need to be read with poetic rhythm. For more information on poetic rhythm and how to perform poetry in classroom, please read the Performing Poetry section under the Teacher's Resources.


Characters:Child Mom


Mithing Tooth
Child:
I’m having trouble thpeaking

thinthe I lotht my middle tooth.

Jutht yethterday my tooth wath fine—

today it wiggled loothe.


At firtht I thought it thilly

when my tooth fell out today,

but no one theemth to underthtand

a thingle word I thay.


I athked my mom to clothe the door.

She thaid,


Mom:
That would be rude.The door does not like wearing clothes;it’s happy in the nude.


Child:
I thaid a mouthe wath in my roomand she should come and thee.

She thaid,


Mom:
Your mouth is on your face;it’s right where it should be.


Child:
I wonder if you underthtand

the thircumthtanthe I’m in.

I told her I wath feeling thick.

She thaid,


Mom:
You’re looking thin


Child:
At latht she thaw how mad I wath

and thought I might thtop breathing.

She laughed and thaid she didn’t mean it—

She wath only teething.