Essential Question
"What makes poetry move me?"
Objectives:
"How does poetry differ from prose?"
"What makes it a poem?"
"How are pictures and sounds made from words?"
"Which Americans are noted poets?"
"Which poem moves me most?"
Time Frame: 3 weeks or more
Level: 5th grade
Synopsis:
The unit is an introduction to the elements and
characteristics of poetry and American poets/poems.
It flows in linear form, covering 7 topics in 3 chapters (3-3-1) and
using large and small groups.
Units of Practice uses this activity outline: Focus, Inquiry,
Application, and Assessment with a final project.
Focus and Assessment are pages. Inquiry and Application are grouped
with the chapters.
These are the chapter titles and their topics.
Elements of Poetry: explores rhyme, rhythm (meter), and form
(patterns)
Images N Sounds: explores onomatopoeia, alliteration,
metaphor, and simile
Poets N Poems: explores American poets and their poems; students
analyze poems, perform a favorite poem, and create poetry games to play, share,
and teach
Final Project: a Poetry Party with performances, presentations, poetic
playing, Popsicles, pillows, etc.
Navigation Tips:
Go to the Site Map to get a feel
for the unit's layout. You can access pages from there, too.
A change of color is often a link, but might just be a highlight.
Pass the mouse over to see if the cursor changes to a hand, which
means it's a link.
Internal links are usually green.
External links are usually red.
As long as you don't claim credit for this unit, Poetry N Motion, you can
copy any page, form, or worksheet.
Teaching Tips:
1. The unit is designed to incorporate a word processor (Word), graphics
program (PowerPoint), a database (Access), and the Internet, but will work
without technology.
2. Focus on learning about poetry or use the unit as the vehicle to teach
research techniques.
3. Evaluate students on the product, knowledge, individual and group
participation. Students should evaluate themselves and each other for
participation skills. (see
rubrics)
4. Writing poetry should be encouraged, but not necessarily required. I
suggest only self- or peer-evaluation until at least 6th grade.
5. For 4th grade, I suggest using the Elements and Images
activities. Introduce other forms: haiku, acrostic, etc. Explore the poets and
poems informally.
Essential Question: "Why does poetry move me?"
6. For 6th grade, I suggest using the Elements and Images
activities as a review. Analyze poems: narrative, lyric, & dramatic. Write
poetry including haiku, acrostic, etc.
Essential Question: "Which poets/poems are worth knowing?"
Standards:
Language Arts PASS Objectives – The student will
I. B. Comprehension
4. Develop detailed mental pictures from text content.
5.
Apply appropriate reading strategies.
C. Fluency
1. Independently read aloud.
II. E. Identify & analyze the characteristics of poetry.
H. Determine a statement of central purpose.
L. Synthesize connections: experience to text.
M. Interpret poetry; recognize characteristics.
N. Interpret meaning from figurative language.
III. Information & Research
A. Select a topic, form questions, synthesize.
B. Develop notes.
C. Use strategies to gather & record information.
VII. Listening/Speaking
B. Speak before a group – delivery & language.
VIII. Visual Literacy
A. Distinguish fact, opinion, & fantasy.
AASL Standards: All except #7
National Education Technology Standards for Students
2B. Practice responsible use of technology
3. Technology Productivity Tools
4. Technology Communications Tools
5. Technology Research Tools
6. Technology Problem-solving/Decision Tools
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