Poetry Break: Wilma Rudolph

Introduction
I will display books about Wilma Rudolph, including Wilma Unlimited. I will ask the students if they know who Wilma Rudolph is. I will then read the poem.


Wilma Rudolph
By Ann Whitford Paul

One leg was bent; her foot turned in.
She had to wear a heavy brace
and an ugly, hateful shoe.
Each pace, each step, she scraped and clunked.
Kids gathered close to stare at her
and taunt and tease.
Slowly,
Wilma hobbled off.
She found a secret place,
unbuckled the brace, untied the shoe,
then yanked them off.
Every day she practiced walking.
How it hurt to hold her leg the normal way!
At first Wilma stumbled.
She dragged her foot.
Step, slow step…
slow lurching steps…
until she learned to walk!
Faster! Faster!
Wilma began
to run.
She ran
and ran
and ran.


From ALL BY HERSELF: 14 GIRLS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE, Poems by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by Michael Steirnagle. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc.,1999.

Extension
I will let the students direct the discussion. After a few minutes of discussion I will read Wilma Unlimited. Then we will discuss her achievement. Then as a celebration of good health we will go outside and run on the playground.