Introduction: The Poetry Curriculum Web will take approximately 12-13 class periods (at 45 minutes each) to complete. It will cover poems, poets, poetry formats, questions for reflection on poetry, creation of an original poem (written and illustrated), a class book of original poetry, and participation in a poetry café. Students will be guided through whole group, small group, and individual leaning activities that will give them a better understanding and deeper appreciation for the genre of poetry.
Aim: This curriculum web will expand intermediate elementary students’ knowledge and appreciation of the genre of poetry through exposure to and exploration of poetry, as well as allow them to create their own poem.
Rationale: The rationale behind this curriculum web is to actively engage students in the exploration of the unique genre of poetry. By exploring a variety of websites and discussing essential questions in small and/or large group settings, students will gain a better understanding of the genre of poetry. The writing of their own poem will connect their knowledge and understanding of the genre with a genuine, original creation. Also, having the option to participate in the poetry café will demonstrate their ability to speak in front of an audience and encourage further endeavors involving poetry.
Learners: The activities in this curriculum web are designed for 4th grade regular education students, compliant with the Pennsylvania State Academic and 21st Century Learner Standards (see Teacher Guide). With possible minor modifications this curriculum web can also be used at the general intermediate elementary level (grades 3-5). Accommodations and/or differentiated instruction will be provided as needed for special needs students which include, but are not limited to, learning support and enrichment students.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to…
· Read at least at an early 3rd grade level (if unable, students will be offered assistance by their personal school-assigned aide, another responsible student designated by the teacher/librarian, or the teacher/librarian).
· Use a web browser to move between selected web pages
· Use resources provided while exploring the topic
· Amicably discuss topics of opinion and essential questions in small and/or large group settings
Subject Matter: This curriculum web is centered on the genre of poetry. Throughout this time period we will be reading, researching, and discussing a variety of poems, poets, and poetry formats. We will also be writing, reading aloud in an option poetry café, and publishing the poems in a laminated, bound class book.
General Goals: This curriculum web was developed to expand students’ knowledge and appreciation of the genre of poetry. The goal is for students to explore a wide variety of poems, poets, and poetry formats. They will also consider and discuss essential questions and opinions about the different types of poetry. They will then write and illustrate their own poem, which will be read in an optional poetry café. All final poems will be laminated and bound in a book that will be kept in the classroom or library.
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to…
· Navigate predetermined poetry-based websites from the curriculum web pages
· Locate and read a variety of poems
· Research and create a brief report on a poet
· Distinguish between different formats of poetry
· Consider and discuss essential questions in curriculum web related to poetry
· Classify their poem format
· Write and illustrate their own poem
· Read/perform poem at an optional poetry café
Materials:
· Computers and on occasion laptops
· Worksheets and/or rubrics
· Pencils
· Art materials (poster illustrations)
· Video camera (poet presentations)
· Podcasting equipment (microphone of some sort, etc.)
· Example class books
· Tape for displaying poems on walls/bulletin boards
· Access to lamination
· Access to binding machine and materials
· Web survey (Survey Monkey)