Title: Exploring Self-Expression through Poetry
Grade Level: 4th-6th grade
Duration: 2-3 class periods
Materials: - BIO poem template - “I AM” poem template - Exemplars of BIO and “I AM” poems - Feedback sheets - Rough draft paper - Final draft paper - Access to Google template or Canva
Lesson Plan:
Introduction (10 minutes): 1. Begin the lesson by explaining the learning intentions and success criteria to the students. 2. Discuss the importance of self-expression and how writing poetry can help us explore and communicate about ourselves. 3. Show examples of BIO and “I AM” poems to provide students with a clear understanding of the task.
Activity 1: Writing BIO Poems (30 minutes): 1. Distribute the BIO poem template to each student. 2. Explain that a BIO poem is a type of poem that describes a person’s characteristics, interests, and experiences. 3. Provide sentence frames and starters to support students in using adjectives, verbs, nouns, and pronouns to inform about themselves. 4. Encourage students to brainstorm and write their own BIO poems using the template. 5. Circulate the classroom to provide assistance and feedback to students as they work on their poems.
Activity 2: Writing “I AM” Poems (30 minutes): 1. Distribute the “I AM” poem template to each student. 2. Explain that an “I AM” poem is a type of poem that focuses on expressing one’s identity and personal beliefs. 3. Encourage students to use sentence frames and starters to inform about themselves using adjectives, verbs, nouns, and pronouns. 4. Allow students to brainstorm and write their own “I AM” poems using the template. 5. Provide feedback and guidance to students as they work on their poems.
Activity 3: Editing and Designing Final Drafts (30 minutes): 1. Distribute rough draft paper to each student. 2. Instruct students to review and edit their rough drafts for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. 3. Encourage students to use feedback sheets to provide constructive feedback to their peers. 4. Once the rough drafts are edited, provide final draft paper and allow students to transfer their poems onto it. 5. Students can choose to use the Google template or create something unique using Canva to design their final drafts.
Conclusion (10 minutes): 1. Have students share their BIO and “I AM” poems with the class. 2. Discuss the importance of self-expression and how writing poetry can help us understand ourselves better. 3. Reflect on the success criteria and discuss how students were able to meet them. 4. Encourage students to continue exploring self-expression through writing in the future.