Lady Bird, Lady Bird
Ladybird, ladybird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire
And your children all gone,
All except one
And that little Ann,
And she’s crept under
The warming pan.
Comprehension Questions (Understanding the Rhyme)
Who is the main character in the rhyme?
- The main character is the ladybird (or ladybug).
Where is the ladybird supposed to go?
- The ladybird is told to fly away home.
What has happened to the ladybird’s house?
- It is on fire.
What happened to the ladybird’s children?
- They are all gone, except for one.
Who is the only child left?
- The child’s name is little Anne.
Where did little Anne hide?
- She crept under the warming pan.
What is a warming pan?
- A metal pan used to warm beds by placing hot coals inside.
Why do you think the ladybird is told to fly away?
- To escape the fire and save little Anne.
Do ladybirds really have houses and children?
- No, it is a personification in the poem.
What emotions does the rhyme create?
- It creates a sense of urgency and sadness.
Rhyming Words in the Poem
Anne : Pan
home : Dome, roam, poem
Near rhyme for "gone"?
- Dawn, fawn, lawn
fire : Desire, higher, tire
fly : Cry, try, sky
Make a new line with "pan" as a rhyme.
- She held her doll, little Anne,
While hiding under the warming pan.
burn : Turn, learn, fern
Can you think of a word that rhymes with "gone" but has a different spelling?
- Drawn, pawn
Make up a sentence where "home" and "roam" rhyme.
- The ladybird flies away from home,
Looking for a place to roam.
Why do rhyming words make a poem fun?
- They create rhythm, make it easier to remember, and sound musical.
Opposite Words from the Poem
fly away : Stay here
home : Outside
fire : Water
gone : Present
crept : Ran
except : Including
warm : Cold
lady : Gentleman (if referring to a person) or male (if referring to an insect).
little : Big
under : Above
Fun & Creative Questions
If you could add a new line to the poem, what would it be?
- Fly away quick, don’t look back,
Before the sky turns dark and black.
If the ladybird had magical powers, what could she do?
- She could put out the fire with her wings.
What do you think little Anne was thinking under the warming pan?
- She was probably scared and hoping her mother would return.
What would happen if all the ladybird’s children were safe?
- The ending would be happier and less sad.
If this poem were a song, how would it sound?
- It would have a sad, slow melody with a soft rhythm.
What if the rhyme was about a butterfly instead?
- The title would be "Butterfly, Butterfly, Fly Away Fast!"
What if little Anne was a superhero? What would she do?
- She would save all her siblings from the fire.
How would the story change if it were set in winter?
- Instead of a fire, the problem might be cold and snow.
If you could illustrate this poem, what would you draw?
- A ladybird flying away and Anne hiding under the warming pan.
Can you make a funny version of this poem?
- Ladybird, ladybird, fly away fast,
Your house is on fire, but it’s built to last!
Real-Life Connections
Where do real ladybirds live?
- In gardens, forests, and fields.
Do ladybirds really take care of their children?
- No, they lay eggs and leave them to hatch on their own.
What do ladybirds eat?
- They eat aphids (tiny bugs on plants).
Are ladybirds helpful or harmful to gardens?
- Helpful because they eat pests.
What are other insects that help plants?
- Bees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
Why do ladybirds have spots?
- To warn predators that they taste bad.
Can ladybirds actually fly?
- Yes, they have two pairs of wings.
What are different names for ladybirds in other countries?
- In the USA, they’re called ladybugs.
What colors can ladybirds be?
- Red, yellow, orange, or even black.
How can you attract ladybirds to a garden?
- By planting flowers and avoiding pesticides.