Poetry
4th Grade
Essential Questions/Question Stems
How does poetry differ from other forms of writing?
How do words create visual images and meaning for the reader?
How do writers evoke an emotional response?
Vocabulary:
Stanza-In poetry, each line of words is placed within a stanza, a group of lines
that convey an idea.
Rhyme- Two or more words which match in the same last sound (bat, cat, sat).
Simile-A comparison of unlike objects using the words like or as. “She is as
beautiful as a sunrise.”
Meter-A rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
Line Break-The place where the poet chooses to end a line, often used to
indicate rhythm or to represent meaning.
Poetry
Alliteration-A repetition of consonant sounds, such as “the smooth, skaterly glide
and sudden swerve.”
Imagery-The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas.
Lyrical Poetry-Personal and descriptive poetry; it helps the reader feel through
the senses. Lyric poetry showcases melodic language that conveys a sense of
song.
Free Verse Poetry-Poetry that does not rhyme and has no regular rhythm. In free
verse, the poet creates the rules, drawing on his intuitive sense of how the
poem should look, sound, and express meaning.
Metaphor-A direct comparison of two unlike things. “All the world’s a stage, and we
are merely players.”
Poetry minilessons & Resources
Poetry Resources- http://www.theteachersguide.com/poetrymonth.htm
Poets.org
The link More Than Words provides an opportunity/ structure for the students to make
inferences about poetry.
See Colorin Colorado for more tips on reading poetry with ELLs.
http://www.missspott.com/figurativelanguage.html
http://www.tooter4kids.com/forms_of_poetry.htm
http://www.poemsforchildren.org/
Poetry Activities
Chance Poems
Redacted Poems
Dada Poem
One "Dada" poem your students can create is to draw words from a bag at random. As they draw them, they place the words in the poem in the same order as drawn. That's it. When they want the poem to end, they stop drawing words.
A second "Dada" poem is a "sound" poem. Your students can create a poem using only sounds and record it for the class. Most of the sound poems created during the Dada movement were nonsense, not really words at all. However, beat-box artists practice a form of this, and while it may be nonsense, it's still interesting and can be catchy.ONLINE ACTIVITY: Students can use the website Incredibox to mix different beat-box sounds.
Poetry Project
Poetry Slam (Poetry Reading)
Poetry Slam Requirements:
Poet has written an original poem (YOU wrote it!)
Poet used poetic language (similes, metaphors, good word choice).
Poem contains emotion, mental images, and/or music.
Poet uses body movement, facial expressions and gestures.
Poet speaks clearly.
Poet speaks loud enough for audience to hear.
Poet reads the poem at an appropriate speed. (Not too fast, or slow.)
Poet makes eye contact with the audience while reciting poem.
Poet has memorized their poem.(or could have on a note card.)
Poet effectively performs to the audience.