This writing module was designed for 5th graders to learn about and compose different types of poetry. At the end of the unit, students will have a peer reviewed poetry portfolio to demonstrate their learning during the course of this module.
Poetry, writing, 5th, diamante, ballad, couplet, quatrain, limerick, acrostic, haiku
In my 5 years teaching English Language Arts, I’ve found poetry to be something students either hate or love. Some love the freedom that poetry allows, without the limitation of sentence structure, creativity can flow. For others, the rhyming and rules of some forms of poetry cause confusion and anxiety.
The purpose of this poetry unit is to provide students the vocabulary to produce and understand poetry. Furthermore, students will learn a few types of poetry and their specific rules. Finally, to determine their understanding of content covered students will be making a poetry portfolio throughout this unit. Studies show that portfolio based assessments can yield positive academic outcomes and enhance collaborative relationships within a classroom (Tiwari & Tang, 2003). Additionally, this unit utilized peer assessment to enhance student outcomes. Prior to the final submission of the students’ poetry portfolio, a peer will review their portfolio and give them constructive feedback. In research from Topping (2009), peer assessment was shown to produce assessment feedback of equal reliability and validity to that of a teacher’s feedback to a student.
This unit is intended to be used in a 5th grade classroom. This poetry unit focuses more on poetry composition than analysis. Below are the learning objectives that students will be working towards for each lesson. Additionally, the Common Core learning standards this unit was meant to address (Common Core State Standards Initiative, n.d.).
Objectives
Lesson 1: I can identify the number of lines and stanzas in a poem. I can determine a poem’s rhyme scheme.
Lesson 2: I can write a couplet poem.
Lesson 3: : I can write a quatrain poem.
Lesson 4: I can write a haiku poem.
Lesson 5: I can write a limerick poem.
Lesson 6: I can write a diamante poem.
Lesson 7: I can write an acrostic poem.
Lesson 8: I can write a ballad poem.
Lesson 9: I can assemble my poetry portfolio.
Lesson 10: I can give my classmates feedback on their poetry portfolio.
Focus Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.5
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Learning Objectives: I can identify the number of lines and stanzas in a poem.
I can determine a poem’s rhyme scheme.
Lesson Vocabulary
Line: A group of words in a row in a poem
Stanza: A group of lines in a poem
Rhyme Scheme: The rhyming pattern of the last word in each line of a poem
Poetry is unique compared to other forms of writing like narrative, creative, persuasive, and informational. Poetry allows a writer to express their creativity without the typical constraints of other forms of writing. Poetry does take a different form than other writing. Watch the video below to learn more about the important terminology used in the world of poetry.
Video 1: Miss H. in Fifth. (2020a, April 16). Stanzas, lines, and rhyme schemes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSzT5FCzdIc
Many poems have rhymes, but it's important to note that not all poems have to rhyme . We can evaluate a poem's rhyme scheme by looking at the last word in each line of a poem. The video below demonstrates how to determine a poem’s rhyme scheme.
Video 2: Spiess, A. (2020, April 17). Rhyming scheme [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcGIAQw8ekM&t=39s
Comment: Do you prefer poetry with or without a rhyme scheme? Explain your thinking.
Make an Update: Find a poem on the internet and add it to the top of your update. In your update state how many lines and stanzas your poem has. Additionally, determine the rhyme scheme of your poem, if any.
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify the number of lines and stanzas in a poem.
Students will be able to determine a poem’s rhyme scheme.
Teaching Tips
Model for students how to find a poem’s rhyme scheme in order to enhance their understanding.
To further lesson objectives, students can work in partners or small groups to determine a new poem's rhyme scheme and numbers of lines and stanzas.
Comment on a few students' updates to give them feedback on their progress toward lesson learning objectives.
Learning Objectives: I can write a couplet poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Syllables: Sound parts
Couplet: A two line poem that rhymes
Today we will learn our first type of poem, a couplet! Couplets are short, simple, rhyming poems. Let’s learn more about them in this video:
Video 3: DuBois, J. (2020, May 22). Couplet poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZTJmYc3nBs
As stated in the video, a couplet is a two line poem whose lines rhyme and consist of about the same amount of syllables. Below is an example of a couplet:
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's couplet poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the couplet style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own couplet and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a couplet poem.
Teaching Tips
Learning Objectives: I can write a quatrain poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Quatrain: A four line poem with an AABB, ABAB, or ABCB rhyme scheme.
The next type of poem we will review is a quatrain. This is a 4 line poem that has a few different choices of rhyme scheme, watch the video below to learn more!
Video 4: Ashley A. (2020, May 5). Quatrain poems [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dUTSBap2Iw
Below is an example of a quatrain poem. Can you figure out which of the 3 rhyme schemes the author used?
Comment: Comment on two other classmates' couplet poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the quatrain style of poem writing. Also comment what rhyme scheme you think they used.
Make an update: Write your own quatrain and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a quatrain poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can write a haiku poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Haiku: A three line poem that does not rhyme, but follows a 5,7,5 syllable pattern.
The next poem we will review is the Haiku. This type of poem does not need to rhyme, but the number of syllables are important for this style of poem. Watch the video below to learn more!
Video 5: Miss H. in Fifth. (2020b, April 28). Haiku poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqVZuf5_5aU
Haiku poems often involve nature. Check out an example of haiku poetry about nature below. Try clapping out the syllables to see the 5,7,5 pattern!
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's haiku poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the haiku style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own haiku and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a haiku poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can write a limerick poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Limerick: A five line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme
Now for a poem that the jokesters will love! Limericks are rhyming poems that often have a silly or light hearted tone. Let’s learn more about limericks by watching this video.
Video 6: Homeschool Pop. (2018, July 1). Limerick poems for kids | classroom poetry video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy65TkCadfU
Here’s a funny limerick, pay attention to the AABBA pattern.
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's limerick poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the limerick style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own limerick and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a limerick poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can write a diamante poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Diamante: A seven line non rhyming poem that makes a diamond shape.
Noun: A person place or thing
Adjective: A describing word
Verb: An action word
For today’s poem, knowing your parts of speech will be key! Review the lesson vocabulary for a refresher on the parts of speech we will use for diamante poetry. Let’s learn more in this video below!
Video 7: Dunlap, P. (2020, April 14). Diamante poem [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhRr_LHdkY
A diamante poem always starts with a noun and ends with a noun that is its opposite. Throughout the diamante, the adjectives and verbs should discuss the noun that they are closest to at the top or bottom line of the poem.
Notice how the poem transitions from fire to ice, complete opposites. Think of two opposite nouns you’d like to write a diamante poem about!
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's diamante poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the diamante style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own diamante and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a diamante poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can write an acrostic poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Acrostic: A poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word
The next type of poem has no rules as far as rhyming and length! The cool thing about an acrostic poem is that the first letter of each line spells out a word when read vertically. Watch the video below to learn more about acrostic poems!
Video 8: readlearngrow14. (2020, April 16). How to write acrostic poems [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gVOeA7aqM0
Check out this example of an acrostic poem below:
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's acrostic poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the diamante style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own acrostic and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 30 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write an acrostic poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can write a ballad poem.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Ballad: A poem that tells a story in a 4 line repeating ABCB pattern
The last type of poem we will learn about may be the most challenging one yet. This type of poem tells a story and should have a beginning, middle, and end. Like all good stories, make sure your poem has a clear problem and solution. Let’s watch this video about ballad poems to learn more!
Video 9: Mrs Roberts’ Resources. (2020, October 10). What is a ballad? | poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbE2NT1wao4
Below is an example of a ballad poem. Notice how this form of poetry tells a story.
Comment: Comment on two other classmate's ballad poem updates. Give them feedback on how they followed the diamante style of poem writing. Also you can give them compliments or ask questions about their poem.
Make an update: Write your own ballad and post it as an update. Be sure to follow the rules and format discussed in today’s lesson!
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to write a ballad poem.
Teaching Tips
Comment on students' updates to highlight great examples of this style of poetry.
Learning Objectives: I can assemble my poetry portfolio.
Lesson Vocabulary:
Portfolio: A collection of work
Over the course of this unit you have written many poems. To wrap up our poetry study, we will compile these poems into a portfolio. In order to get your poems portfolio ready the following steps must be completed:
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will assemble their poetry portfolio.
Teaching Tips
Learning Objectives: I can give my classmates feedback on their poetry portfolio.
Today is the final step of our poetry portfolio, a classmate will be reviewing your portfolio to give you feedback. Using the rubric your teacher will grade you with, assess your classmates' work. I recommend opening the lesson for each poetry type to determine if student followed the necessary requirements.
Below is the rubric:
After filling out the rubric for a partner, get together and explain the ratings you gave one another for each poem. Then, make the necessary changes to improve your poems before the teacher grades your portfolio.
After submitting your portfolio, use the link below to evaluate your learning during this poetry module: https://forms.gle/Npo2ZFeG9Hms4xV36
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Objectives: Students will give a classmate feedback on their portfolio.
Teaching Tips
After students have finished creating their poetry portfolios, I recommend the following:
Ashley A. (2020, May 5). Quatrain poems [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dUTSBap2Iw
Brock, D. (2017, December 8). A rainbow [Photograph]. Valley Haiku. https://www.valleyhaiku.org/examples-of-haiku-poems-learn-the-form-nature-and-evolution-of-haiku-poetry/
Chaudhuri, D. (2020, August 30). How to write an acrostic poem [Illustration]. Wikihow. https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Acrostic-Poem
Common Core State Standards Initiative. (n.d.). English language arts standards | common core state standards initiative. Common Core. http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/
Dean Myers, W. (2016, May 1). Love that boy [Illustration]. The Literary Maven. https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2016/04/National-Poetry-Month-middle-school-high-school.html
DuBois, J. (2020, May 22). Couplet poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZTJmYc3nBs
Dunlap, P. (2020, April 14). Diamante poem [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhRr_LHdkY
EdZone Publishing. (2018, September 17). How to write poetry for kids. First Grade Mom. https://firstgrademom.com/first-grade-writing-printables/how-to-write-poetry-for-kids/
Homeschool Pop. (2018, July 1). Limerick poems for kids | classroom poetry video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy65TkCadfU
Lear, E. (n.d.). Edward lear limericks about owls [Cartoon]. The Barn Owl Trust. https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/owl-facts-for-kids/the-owl-and-the-pussycat/edward-lear-limericks-owls/
Miss H. in Fifth. (2020a, April 16). Stanzas, lines, and rhyme schemes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSzT5FCzdIc
Miss H. in Fifth. (2020b, April 28). Haiku poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqVZuf5_5aU
Mrs Roberts’ Resources. (2020, October 10). What is a ballad? | poetry [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbE2NT1wao4
readlearngrow14. (2020, April 16). How to write acrostic poems [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gVOeA7aqM0
Rodgers, D. (n.d.). Your feet [Illustration]. ClassroomPoems.Com. https://www.classroompoems.com/funny-simile-poems.html
Spiess, A. (2020, April 17). Rhyming scheme [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcGIAQw8ekM&t=39s
Tiwari, A., & Tang, C. (2003). From process to outcome: The effect of portfolio assessment on student learning. Nurse Education Today, 23(4), 269–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0260-6917(03)00012-1
Topping, K. J. (2009). Peer assessment. Theory Into Practice, 48(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405840802577569
Vazquez, R. (n.d.). Diamante poem [Illustration]. B.R.E.A.K. http://break2012.weebly.com/diamante-poem.html