Illustration of chopsticks in front of a colorful background and a girl sitting underneath
Illustration by Katty Huerta
Poem,

Grandfather’s Chopsticks

By Janet Wong
From the May 2022 Issue
Featured Skill: Analyzing and Writing Poetry,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.10, W.3
  • Grade 6
    RL.6.10, W.6.3
  • Grade 7
    RL.7.10, W.7.3
  • Grade 8
    RL.8.10, W.8.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 6, 7, 8
    3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6g, 6h, 7a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 11a

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Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

Grandfather’s Chopsticks

Grandfather’s chopsticks

are like extra-long

superhero fingers,

able to grab anything

on the big round

restaurant table.


He picks up 

a piece of my favorite 

honey walnut shrimp

and puts it on my plate.

Slippery noodles.

Fried chicken—

crispy skin

and tender white meat.


Grandfather’s chopsticks

are pretty smart:

how do they know

exactly

what I want to eat?

“Grandfather’s Chopsticks” by Janet Wong; poem copyright ©2012 by Janet S. Wong, found in The Poetry Friday Anthology by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong (Pomelo Books).

Writing Prompt

Look through the poem for a simile and personification. Then choose an object to write a poem about. Include at least one simile and one example of personification. 

This poem was originally published in the May 2022 issue.

video (1)
Audio ()
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
video (1)
Audio ()
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

1. READING THE POEM

As a class, read the poem aloud a few times or listen to the poem read aloud.

2. ANALYZING THE POEM

As a whole class or in small groups, answer the questions in the Analyzing Poetry Activity.

3. WRITING  

Invite students to write their own poems or essays using our Guided Writing Activity.

Text-to-Speech