ClassX Video Lessons The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Poems for Kids, FreeSchool
In this article, we’re going to explore a wonderful poem that talks about losing and finding things, and how creativity lasts forever. The poem starts with an arrow being shot into the sky and a song being sung, showing how our actions and ideas can seem to disappear quickly.
The poem begins with someone shooting an arrow into the sky. The arrow flies so fast that the person can’t see where it goes. This part of the poem makes us think about how we try new things and sometimes don’t know what will happen next. Once the arrow is in the air, where it lands is a mystery.
Just like the arrow, the person sings a song that floats into the air without a clear path. This part of the poem shows how music and art can seem to disappear. The person wonders if anyone can follow where the song goes, showing how creative ideas can be hard to hold onto.
After some time, the person finds the arrow stuck in an oak tree, still in one piece. This discovery shows that even when we think our actions are lost, they can show up again in surprising ways. On the other hand, the song is found in a friend’s heart, showing that while the song was released into the world, it lives on through friendships and connections. This teaches us that creativity, once shared, can touch others deeply and last a long time.
The poem beautifully tells the story of both an arrow and a song, showing how our actions and ideas can have their own journeys. Even if we don’t see where they end up, they can have a big impact and come back to us in unexpected ways. This poem reminds us that we are all connected through our experiences and that creativity has the power to last and inspire others.
Arrow and Song Hunt: Go outside with a friend or family member and take turns hiding a small object, like a toy or a ball, in the yard or a park. Just like the arrow in the poem, you won’t know where it lands until you find it. After hiding the object, try to find it together. Discuss how this activity is similar to the poem’s idea of not knowing where the arrow or song will end up. How does it feel when you finally find what you were looking for?
Create Your Own Song: Think about a simple song or tune you like. Try singing it to a friend or family member. Ask them to sing it back to you later in the day. Notice how your song travels from you to them, just like the song in the poem. Talk about how sharing music or ideas can make them last longer and how they can change as they move from person to person.
Art Connection: Draw a picture of an arrow and a song. Think about what they might look like if they were real objects. Where would your arrow land? Who would hear your song? Share your drawing with someone and explain your ideas. Discuss how art and creativity can be shared and how they can make people feel connected, just like the poem describes.
