by Naomi Shihab Nye 1988

Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.

This week in class, we’re reading "Making a Fist" by Naomi Shihab Nye.

In this contemporary poem, a child has a realization about her own mortality.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Death and Growing Up as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"What does it mean to be grown up?" and "How do people face death?"

Ways to support your child:

  • Ask your child about this poem at home:
    • What was "Making a Fist" about?
    • What did you learn about Death?
    • What did you learn about Growing Up?
  • Watch Steve Jobs Discusses Mortality at home with your child.