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

Spring Cinquain Poems

Students will review parts of speech by learning what a cinquain poem is and then writing and typing a Spring cinquain.

A lesson plan for grade 3 English Language Arts and Information Skills

By Jennifer Williams

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Learning outcomes

Sudents will:

  • learn what type of words go on each line of a cinquain poem.
  • write a cinquain poem about spring.
  • type their poem so that each line is centered and a different font is used for each line.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3 days

Materials/resources

  • example of a cinquain poem
  • chart paper and marker
  • notebook paper and pencil

Technology resources

  • computer lab
  • Microsoft Works or other Word Processing program
  • disk or place on file server for each child to save to
  • optional: Kid Pix Studio Deluxe

Pre-activities

Students must be familiar with how to use Microsoft Works or another word processing software.

Activities

Day One

  1. Show the students an example of a cinquain poem. Such as: 
              tree       tall, greenreaching, growing, standing   witness to the past         future
  2. Discuss what type of words go on each line of the poem.
    • Line 1: one word (subject or noun)
    • Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe line 1
    • Line 3: three words (action verbs) that relate to line 1
    • Line 4: four words (feelings or a complete sentence) that relates to line 1
    • Line 5: one word (synonym of line 1 or a word that sums it up)
  3. As a class, write a cinquain on the chart paper about school or another topic of the class’s choice.

Day Two

  1. Review cinquain poems.
  2. Introduce the topic spring. Go on a walk to get ideas of spring words.
  3. Each student writes a cinquain poem about spring. Students should share their poem with peers to ensure the correct format was used and also carefully check for spelling and other grammar elements before going to the computer. (Teacher may also want to edit before student goes to the computer for typing.)

Day Three

  1. Each student types his/her poem in Microsoft Works or another word processing software program.
  2. Teach the students how to center their poem and how to change the font of each line of their poem. (Students could use Kid Pix Studio Deluxe to illustrate their Spring scene if time permits.)

Assessment

The students typed cinquain poem will be graded for the following:

  • students used the correct type of words on each line of the poem and the correct format for cinquain poetry
  • correct spelling and punctuation used
  • all lines of the poem are centered
  • each line of the poem has a different font

Supplemental information

None

Related websites

N/A

Comments

Optional Extension - Use Kid Pix Studio Deluxe to draw a Spring picture. (Great for those students who finish their poem early.)

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Information Skills (2000)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.01: Select and use appropriate features and functions of hardware and software for class assignments. Strand - Societal/Ethical Issues
    • Objective 2.08: Use menu/tool bar functions (e.g., font size/style, line spacing) to format and change the appearance of word processing documents as a class/group. Strand - Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • 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 4.09: 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.