This worksheet is designed to help students reflect on their personal values, priorities, and aspirations by engaging with a poem and then applying its message to their own lives.
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🌟 Step 1: Read the Poem — “There Isn’t Time”
The poem by Doris F. Ferguson expresses a universal human feeling: that there’s never enough time to do everything we want — to climb mountains, wander through woods, sail seas, meet people, learn things, or even just sit and think. The speaker laments this lack of time, but ends with a hopeful and empowering line:
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“But there’s time. There’s time / To know a few, to do a few, / And then sit down and make a choice / About the rest I want to go.”
This means: Even though we can’t do *everything*, we *can* choose what matters most to us — and focus on those things.
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✍️ Step 2: Make a List — “Five Things You Would Like to Do, in Order of Importance”
This part asks you to prioritize your dreams or goals. Think about what truly matters to *you*. It could be:
- Traveling to a dream destination
- Learning an instrument or language
- Helping others (volunteering, mentoring)
- Creating art, writing, or building something
- Spending quality time with family or friends
- Achieving a personal goal (like running a marathon or getting good grades)
Example list (your own will be different!):
1. Learn to play the guitar
2. Visit Japan someday
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter
4. Write a short story
5. Spend more time hiking with my family
*(Note: Order matters — put what’s MOST important to you first.)*
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📝 Step 3: Write About Your #1 Choice
Now, pick the *top item* from your list and write a short paragraph describing:
- What you would do
- Why it’s important to you
- How it would feel to accomplish it
Example Response (based on “Learn to play the guitar”):
> My number one thing I want to do is learn to play the guitar. I’ve always loved music and how it can express feelings words can’t. Playing guitar would let me create my own songs and share them with friends and family. I imagine sitting around a campfire, strumming chords and singing — it would feel peaceful and joyful. Even if I’m not perfect, I’d feel proud of myself for trying and learning something new. It’s not just about the skill — it’s about connecting with myself and others through music.
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💡 Why This Activity Matters
This exercise helps you:
✔ Reflect on what truly matters to you
✔ Practice setting personal priorities
✔ Understand that while you can’t do everything, you *can* choose what to focus on
✔ Build self-awareness and motivation
It’s not about being perfect — it’s about making intentional choices based on what brings you joy, meaning, or growth.
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🎯 Final Tip
When you finish, look back at your list and your paragraph. Ask yourself:
→ Is there one small step I can take *today* toward my #1 goal?
Even tiny actions (like watching a 5-minute guitar tutorial or researching volunteer opportunities) count!
You’re not just answering a worksheet — you’re starting to shape your own meaningful life. 🌈
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Let me know if you’d like help brainstorming your own list or writing your paragraph — I’m here to help!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 4th grade poetry worksheet.
