Author:
Sharyn Manley
Subject:
Literature, Poetry, Elementary English Language Arts
Material Type:
Lesson, Lesson Plan, Reading
Level:
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Tags:
  • Lesson Plan
  • Library
  • Poetry
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Text/HTML

    Education Standards

    Poetry Suitcase

    Poetry Suitcase

    Overview

    Students in K-5 enjoy this lesson during their "Library Time" every year during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month.

    Summary for Poetry Suitcase Lesson

    This is a lesson used during "Library Time", but could be adapted to any classroom setting grades K-5.  It usually takes about 20 minutes, but can go longer or shorter depending on the age group.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5otb4DIZ4Y

     

    Background Knowledge

    To teach this lesson, you will need an understanding of the different poetry genres.  Search the following resources on Utah's Online Library to gain background knowledge about poetry and the different types of poetry: Gale and WBO.  Then collect about 15 of your favorite poems along with objects that represent the poem to go inside the poetry suitcase.

     

    Objective

    Step 1 Goals and Outcomes

     

    Students will be able to recognize the different types of poetry and appreciate the different styles.  They will demonstrate their knowledge by writing an acrostic poem.

     

    Planning Instruction

    Step 2 Planning Instruction

    Reading engagement is a foundational skill for learning, personal growth, and enjoyment.  Utah Core Standards for Library Media, Grades K-5 Strand 1: Standard 1b: Students will gain understanding and make connections while reading and interacting with text.  Prior to this lesson, students will need to be able to sit quietly for an extended time period and listen to a variety of poems.  I have to shorten it for Kindergarten age students, AND when doing the acrostic poem, they usually don't know what the adjectives are.  So,  I come up with a few adjectives and then explain to the students what they mean.  For example:

    P - patient:  A person who doesn't get annoyed easily

    Instruction

    Step 3 Instruction

    Lesson: Introduce poetry suitcase and briefly explain the different types of poems.  Have a student choose an object out of the suitcase.  Read the poem that is associated with the object.  Tell what type of poem was read.  Have another student choose an object and repeat.  (Do a few...whatever you think is best.)  After reading a few poems, invite two volunteers to come to the front of the class and put a goofy hat on each of them.  Then have them read the poem “I Hate My Hat” from the book Very Short Stories to Read Together.  After they have read the poem, tell the class that they are going to make an acrostic poem of their teacher’s name.  Have the students tell you words that describe their teacher starting with the letters in their teacher's last name.

     

    Assessments

    This is my most popular lesson.  I created it the first year that I was a librarian, and every year the students ask me when I will get the poetry suitcase.  

    Step 4 Assessments

    As a whole class, students will create an acrostic poem to give to their teacher using their name.  I usually have a list adjectives that describe people, and then ask the students for ideas of words that describe their teacher.  For example: words that describe their teacher starting with the letter "S":

    smart

    serious

    sweet

    sincere

    strong

    Extension Activity:  I extend the invitation to students to write an acrostic poem about their mom or someone important to them, or even themselves.  Then we display them in the library during the month of April for Poetry Month.  

     

     

     

    I write the words on the white board, and after we get a few good adjectives, we vote as a class.  Then I write it on the construction paper.  I like to use the big pieces of paper, and a stencil for their name.  I do this beforehand.