LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Shape poems: Writing extraordinary poems about ordinary objects

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=798

A lesson plan for Grade 3 English Language Arts

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3
Subjects
English language arts (writing), thinking skills (visual literacy)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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Students write shape poems using their content knowledge and sensory awareness of a familiar object in this lesson. After modeling the poetry activity by having students explore the senses and images that the subject conjures, the teacher shows students how to use an online interactive shape poem tool. When students have learned about the characteristics and format of a shape poem, they brainstorm a list of words and phrases related to the object. Then, the class collaboratively writes a shape poem using the online interactive tool provided by Readwritethink. After the poem is written, the teacher engages students in a discussion connecting the poem to the words and phrases they listed in the brainstorming activity. In the second session, students write their own shape poems using the online poetry writing tool. As the teacher guides students through the activity again, they create their own individual poems. In pairs, students revise their poems and discuss the message of their poems and then publish their poems to be displayed in the classroom. Readwritethink provides several extension activities with helpful web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Increase sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • listening.
      • discussion.
      • book talks.
      • book clubs.
      • seminars.
      • viewing.
      • role play.
      • studying author's craft.
  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.08: Listen actively by:
      • facing the speaker.
      • making eye contact.
      • asking questions to clarify the message.
      • asking questions to gain additional information and ideas.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • present information in a sequenced, logical manner.
      • discuss.
      • sustain conversation on a topic.
      • share information and ideas.
      • recount or narrate.
      • answer open-ended questions.
      • report information on a topic.
      • explain own learning.
    • Objective 4.03: Share written and oral products in a variety of ways (e.g., author's chair, book making, publications, discussions, presentations).
    • Objective 4.06: Compose a draft that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on the topic by using preliminary plans.
    • Objective 4.07: Compose a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama selections using self-selected topics and forms (e.g., poems, simple narratives, short reports, learning logs, letters, notes, directions, instructions).
    • Objective 4.08: Focus reflection and revision (with assistance) on target elements by:
      • clarifying ideas.
      • adding descriptive words and phrases.
      • sequencing events and ideas.
      • combining short, related sentences.
      • strengthening word choice.
    • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal narrative, short report, friendly letter, directions and instructions).
    • Objective 4.10: Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.
  • Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
    • Objective 5.05: Use a number of strategies for spelling (e.g., sound patterns, visual patterns, silent letters, less common letter groupings).
    • Objective 5.06: Proofread own writing for spelling and correct most misspellings independently with reference to resources (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, word walls).
    • Objective 5.07: Edit (with assistance) to use conventions of written language and format.