Paired Texts > The Impossibles

by J. Patrick Lewis 2012

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Where the Sidewalk Ends
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein

Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein (1930-1999) was an American poet, cartoonist, and author of children's books. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is one of Silverstein's most famous poems, in which the sidewalk represents the path from childhood to adulthood.

Pair “Where the Sidewalk Ends” with “The Impossibles” and ask students to discuss how both texts explore the capabilities of a person’s imagination. How do students think the imagination of a child compares to that of an adult? Do students think that children find as many things impossible, as adults do? Why or why not?

6th Grade Poem
The Basket Weaver
The Basket Weaver
Jacque Summers

In "The Basket Weaver," a shy Chumash girl learns a new way to share.

Pair “The Impossibles” with “The Basket Weaver” and have students think about how people overcome their fears to do things they never thought were possible. How does the speaker describe impossible things in “The Impossibles”? How does Yo’ee do something she never thought was possible in “The Basket Weaver”? What can we learn from the speaker of the poem and from Yo’ee when we feel like something is impossible?

3rd Grade Historical Fiction 630L
Dream BIG
Dream BIG
Judy Burke

In "Dream BIG," NFL football player, University of Pennsylvania professor, and kids' nonprofit founder Brandon Copeland shares what he's learned about life.

Pair “The Impossibles” and “Dream BIG” and have students discuss the importance of dreams in both texts. What words and images does the poet use to describe dreams in “The Impossibles”? How does Brandon Copeland describe his dreams in “Dream BIG”? How do both texts show the importance of having big, imaginative dreams?

4th Grade Informational Text 770L
Magic Noodles
Magic Noodles
Tracy Vonder Brink

In "Magic Noodles," Tracy Vonder Brink describes how one creative Japanese business person changed the way people eat noodles all around the globe.

Pair “The Impossibles” with “Magic Noodles” and ask students to discuss the similarities between the attitudes of the speaker in “The Impossibles” and Momofuku Ando in “Magic Noodles.” How are their attitudes about making things happen similar? As an extension activity, try to write an extra verse to “The Impossibles” about Momofuku Ando and his accomplishments.

4th Grade Biography 840L
Lulu Poole's School for Ghouls
Lulu Poole's School for Ghouls
Joanne Lamond

In "Lulu Poole's School for Ghouls," a little ghost goes to school to learn how to be scarier.

Pair “The Impossibles” with “Lulu Poole’s School for Ghouls” and have students talk about how the main ideas of both texts are alike. What important lesson about life does the poem “The Impossibles” teach? How does this lesson compare to what Culpepper learns about himself in “Lulu Poole’s School for Ghouls”? How would reading “The Impossibles” be helpful for Culpepper as he tries to become a scary ghost?

3rd Grade Fantasy 510L