Life Skills:

• Communication

Time Frame:
5 class periods that run 45 minutes each.

Group Size:
Individual

Summary:
This introduction to poetry gives students examples of and reasons to love poetry, allowing them to select good poetry for themselves and for sharing.

Main Curriculum Tie:
Library Media - 5th Grade
Standard 8 Objective 2
Identify and describe the elements of "story."

Materials:
A copy of the book KNOCK AT A STAR by X.J. Kennedy, which has format, examples of children's poetry enjoyment, and the poetry section of the school library. Electronic sites on Yahoo/children's poetry and Yahooligans/poetry are fun also.

Background For Teachers:
Catching students without predisposed notions is vital. Students will discover, with the teacher, the enjoyment and discerning skills available in the world of poetry. No experience is best.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand poetic license, recognize elementary poetic elements, will experience self-selected children's poetry, and will share orally, electronically and in written publication or copying.

Instructional Procedures:

Students could view instructor selected examples from KNOCK AT A STAR on an overhead with copies of examples given to students to read and view. This unit is great before winter or summer break due to the holiday possibilities for publication and the emotional level of students.

Discuss elementary poetry elements such as: rhyme, use of sounds (assonance and/or aliteration), rhythm (meter), and other elements as selectd by the teacher.

Discuss poetic license, what it is and how it is used.

Share reasons to enjoy and examples of great age-selected poetry from KNOCK AT A STAR by Kennedy.

Clarify for students their hardcopy and electronic searching possibilities (i.e. where the poetry section of the library is and types of poetry books available and electronic sites).

The class can be divided, one-half search hardcopy materials and the other half search electronic sites. After a specified period of time or next day, the two groups trade search areas. So that all students have an experience using both type of searches.

Findings can be shared orally, first informally as they search and second in formal audience/presenter situation.

OPTIONAL. A poetry festival of teacher/student choice can culminate the unit. Song fest with words published for all to follow, a music or poetry recital, etc., would be great experience, if time allows.

Extensions:
Students could keep a poetry journal/scrapbook of favorite poems and organize them in order as per the original lesson's reasons.

Assessment Plan:
Students and teachers can self assess as they watch the faces and body language of other students as they share orally their selected poems, liking some and dismissing others. Publishing in any format would be passing.

Bibliography:
Kennedy, X. J. Knock at a Star (Little, Brown and Company, )

Author:

Created Date :
Jun 13 1997 08:46 AM