SMN Picasso Project: Language Arts Lesson 3

Expression Through Poetry

Objective:
Students will be learning how to write a word cinquain poem to express their thoughts and feelings about the principal.

Time frame:
2 - 40 minute time periods

Procedure:
Students meet on the classroom carpet and a discussion regarding poetry takes place. What is poetry? What do you know about the different types of poetry? The following framework is displayed on the board.

__________
__________ __________
__________ __________ __________
__________ __________ __________ __________
__________

The word PRINCIPAL is written on the top line. The students are asked to think of words that mean the same as principal. Their suggestions are recorded. One of the suggestions is selected and placed on the bottom line. Then they are asked to think of as many words as possible that could be used to describe the principal. These are recorded, two words are selected, and written on the second line. This procedure is followed as they generate suggestions about what a principal does for the third line and how he makes them feel for the fourth line. The collaborative poem is now completed. It is read through and the 'rules' for each line are written down.

Title
Description of the title
Action about the title
Feelings about the title
Synonym for the title

one word
two words
three words
four words
one word

Students are asked to begin creating their word cinquain poems to express their thoughts and feelings.

The finished poems are taken to the computer lab for the second lesson. Students use Student Writing Center and create a sign to publish their poems. See Technology Lesson 2, Publishing Documents.

Evaluation:
Examine the finished product. Are students able to follow the rules?

Principal
Kind, Careful
Working, Phoning, Eating
He makes me happy
Boss

Rubie

Principal
Happy, Nice
Working, Thinking, Talking
Good, Mad, Worried, Sad
Chief

Edward