Content Area: Language Arts
Grade Level: Middle Level
Lesson Theme: Writing concrete poems
Length of lesson: 4 days
Objectives: The students will:
a. Define what is a concrete poem.
b. Use the writing process to write a concrete poem.
c. Use a variety of sources( dictionaries, Thesaurus) to write a concrete poem.
Standard: Writing Expectation: W.8.2 DOK Level: Application
Key words: concrete poems, shapes
Materials: computer (PowerPoint presentation), projector, plain paper, colored pencils, dictionaries, Thesaurus
Lesson Development:
Day 1
1. Greet students. Read a short poem (from previously learned types of poems: Haiku, free verse, etc.) and have student express their thoughts about it.
2. Recall previous class: review poetry definition, types of poetry, elements of poetry.
3. Show the presentation opening slide ( it shows an illustration in the shape of a tree with words on it).
4. Brainstorm with students about the graphic representation: What is it? Why are there words hidden?
5. Introduce the lesson theme: concrete poetry. Give a brief background on the origins of this type of poetry.
6. Brainstorm a definition of concrete poetry with students. Write students ideas on the board.
7. Show the presentation. Read and discuss the formal definition and the characteristics of a concrete poem.
8. Show one example of a concrete poem. Read the poem (following reading conventions)and identify the author's main idea.
Day 2
1. Greet students.
2. Recall previous class topics.
3. Read a short poem and have students present ideas on how it can be presented as a concrete poem. Students illustrate the poem on their notebooks.
4. Present the special activity slide: writing a concrete poem. Read the guidelines and explain the rubric for the poem's evaluation.
5. Student select a topic for their poem and pre write ideas using a web. Teacher checks and assigns points. (10 pt)
Day 3
1. Greet students.
2. Review project's guidelines to clarify any doubts.
3. Students draw the sketch or shape for their poems, using their pre writing ideas, write three to five sentences, or group of words, and write them around the shape of their poem. (drafting step)
4. Complete the draft and hand in to teacher for corrections. (review step)
Day 4
1. Greet students.
2. Students complete their poems by editing and publishing their poems.
3. Poems are handed in for final evaluation.
Assessments
Concrete Poem Rubric
Teacher's observations
Group interaction
