Grade 6 Poetry — Printable No-Prep Worksheet

This printable poetry resource provides the complete text of Carl Sandburg's classic free verse poem, "Fog." Students read and analyze the extended metaphor comparing weather to a cat. This single-page text serves as an ideal anchor for middle school figurative language discussions, helping learners visualize poetic imagery.

At a Glance

• Grade: 6 · Subject: ELA
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4 — Determine figurative meanings and analyze word choice impacts.
• Skill Focus: Figurative Language
• Format: 1 page · 0 problems · No answer key · PDF
• Best For: Anchor text for discussion
• Time: 10–15 minutes

This download includes a beautifully formatted, single-page printable featuring the complete six-line poem "Fog" by Carl Sandburg. The page is designed with clear typography and subtle visual cues to reinforce the central metaphor. Because this is a reading text, there are no formal problems or answer keys. It functions perfectly as a clean reading passage for close reading exercises or classroom display.

This resource requires zero teacher preparation and follows a simple print-and-go workflow:

• Print (1 minute): Generate copies or project the PDF directly onto your smartboard.
• Distribute (1 minute): Hand out the poem to students alongside highlighters for immediate annotation.
• Review (10 minutes): Read the poem aloud, then guide students through a discussion. Total teacher prep time is under two minutes, making this an excellent sub-plan addition.

This text aligns directly with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative meanings. It supports broader reading comprehension goals by providing a concise example of free verse. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

Use this poem as a warm-up activity before direct instruction on metaphors. Have students highlight words comparing fog to a cat. Alternatively, use it as a mentor text for writing original free verse. As a formative assessment observation tip, listen to student discussions to gauge their ability to connect physical traits to weather. Expected completion time is 10 to 15 minutes.

This resource is designed for middle school ELA students. The brief text is highly accessible for English Language Learners and students with reading accommodations, allowing deep focus without decoding lengthy passages. Pair this printable with an anchor chart on figurative language or a direct instruction lesson on extended metaphors.

Integrating short, high-quality mentor texts like Carl Sandburg's "Fog" is essential for developing middle school reading comprehension and literary analysis skills. This resource targets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4, requiring students to determine figurative meanings and analyze word choice impacts. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), utilizing brief, complex texts for close reading allows students to engage in repeated readings and deep analysis without experiencing cognitive overload. By focusing on a six-line poem, educators can facilitate rigorous discussions about extended metaphors and author's craft in a highly concentrated format. This targeted approach ensures that all learners, regardless of their reading stamina, can successfully access and analyze grade-level literary concepts. Providing students with clean, visually appealing copies of classic poetry encourages active annotation and deeper engagement with the material, ultimately strengthening their overall interpretive abilities and appreciation for free verse.