Grade: all

#780. Where Monsters Can Grow

Social Studies, level: all
Posted Tue Jan 5 08:48:05 PST 1999 by RHL (rhl@rhlschool.com).
RHL School
RHL School, U.S.
Materials Required: Provided
Activity Time: 30 minutes (approx.)
Concepts Taught: Ignorance can lead to prejucice, which can lead to hatred and violence.

Where Monsters Can Grow

Beware of the monsters
Who dwell in the mind,
Who grow in the shelter
Of shadows they find.

Beware of the demons
Who hide from the light,
Who only survive
When our spirits lose sight.

Those creatures can thrive
Where our knowledge is low;
They fill in the spaces
Of what we don't know.

Beware of the monsters
That cause us to hate,
To strike out in anger
When we can't relate.

For ignorance darkens
The mind and the heart,
And helps all our monsters
To tear us apart.

But learning and thinking
Will strengthen us so
We won't be the places
Where monsters can grow.


1. Where can monsters grow (according to the poem)?

a. on other planets
b. in dark ocean caves
c. in the movies
d. in our minds

2. What helps these monsters grow?

a. plant food
b. evil magic
c. ignorance
d. anger

3. What can prevent the monsters from growing?

a. learning about others
b. bravery
c. weapons
d. hating those who are different

4. The author compares ignorance to darkness, and __________ to light.

a. the sun
b. laughter
c. morals
d. knowledge

5. What is the main idea of this poem?

Copyright 1998 RHL