Where The Sidewalk Ends By: Shel Silverstein

Watch this video of children talking about their dreams. Do you remember being that young thinking about your dreams? Annotate while you read the poem. At the end, write why you think the author wrote this poem. Which of the following phrases best describes the place where the sidewalk ends? Shocking and scary. Calm and lifeless. Dark and desolate. Bright and beautiful. Part A: Which statement best describes the meaning of the phrase “peppermint wind,” as it is used in line 6? The wind smells like sweet candy. The wind is energizing and refreshing. The wind is blue-green in color. The wind is red-and-white in color. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A? “soft and white” (Line 3) “crimson bright” (Line 4) “to cool” (Line 6) “smoke blows black” (Line 7) PART A: According to the narrator's descriptions, how does “a place where the sidewalk ends” and “this place” differ? “The place where the sidewalk ends” is scary and unknown, while “this place” is familiar and comfortable “The place where the sidewalk ends” is dangerous because it is new, while “this place” is dangerous because it is old. “The place where the sidewalk ends” requires accompaniment by children, while “this place” does not require accompaniment of any kind. “The place where the sidewalk ends” is unknown and inviting, while “this place” is dirty and unwelcoming. PART B: Which TWO details from the poem best support the answer to Part A? “before the street begins” (Line 2) . “grass grows soft and white” (Line 3) “Let us leave” (Line 7) “measured and slow” (Line 10) “chalk-white arrows” (Line 11) “the children, they know” (Line 15) How does the alliteration in line 9 contribute to the description of “this place”? “Past the pits” sounds harsh, hissing, and unfriendly “[A]sphalt flowers” bring to mind a harsh and industrial place. “Past the pits” sounds bouncy and playful. . “[A]sphalt flowers” would never grow in pits How does the point of view differ between the speaker and the person he is speaking to? The speaker doesn't know where the end of the sidewalk is, but the person he is speaking to does. The speaker knows about the end of the sidewalk, and wants to make sure the person he is speaking to doesn't find it. The speaker has heard of the end of the sidewalk, and is asking the person he is speaking to for help finding it. The speaker knows about the end of the sidewalk, and wants to show it to the person he is talking to.