Year 4: 'These are the Hands'

Michael Rosen is a fantastic poet and author who has written classics such as ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ and ‘Chocolate Cake’. St. Matthias and De Beauvoir schools are coming together to work on a collaborative project inspired by his poem, ‘These are the Hands’. Michael wrote this fantastic poem to celebrate the 60th birthday of the NHS, and we thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate our amazing health service and the man himself.

These are the Hands

These are the hands
That touch us first
Feel your head
Find the pulse
And make your bed.

These are the hands
That tap your back
Test the skin
Hold your arm
Wheel the bin
Change the bulb
Fix the drip
Pour the jug
Replace your hip.

These are the hands
That fill the bath
Mop the floor
Flick the switch
Soothe the sore
Burn the swabs
Give us a jab
Throw out sharps
Design the lab.

And these are the hands
That stop the leaks
Empty the pan
Wipe the pipes
Carry the can
Clamp the veins
Make the cast
Log the dose
And touch us last.

Watch the video of the poem here.

Animation project

We will be creating an exciting animation based on the poem. If you would like to contribute, we need:

Drawings of the different jobs the NHS do, as described in the poem. Line drawings in pencil or pen (+ optional coloured pencil) please! Remember to include the all important hands!
Photos of NHS friends/family/colleagues who would be happy to have their pictures included—ideally holding their hands up and wearing their uniforms in hospitals!

 Please send your drawings photos to Miss Rader at debeauvoirprimaryschool@gmail.com.

Deadline for entries, 1st May. Thankyou!

Have a look at Michael Rosen's Website for more information about his life and his books.