Poetry Journal - Set of 10 - Lakeshore Learning · ©2005 Lakeshore EE371 (800) 428-4414 Ages 6+ Printed in China Designed to meet these objectives: Language • Students will read

Poetry Journal - Set of 10

Rhyme and rhythm make poetry especially fun to read—and readingpoetry is a great way to strengthen language skills! These journalsfocus on that connection by providing a new poem for every week ofthe school year…35 in all. Written in a variety of styles, the poems coverhigh-interest topics from holidays to pets. Plus, each poem is followedby a writing prompt with space for students to respond, as well as aplace where students can record the names of the people to whomthey read the poem.

What’s Included• 10 poetry journals

Using the JournalsProvide students with their own copies of the poetry journal, and havethem write their names on the covers. Each week, select an appropriatepoem. (The poems are arranged seasonally, beginning with fall,back-to-school themes.) Depending on your students’ abilities, youmight want to read the poem aloud, or have students read it alongwith you. Review any unfamiliar words and talk about the ideaspresented in the poem. Then,direct students to respond intheir journals to the writingprompt for that poem.Encourage them to read thepoem to friends or familymembers during the week,and remind them to recordthe name of each listener.

©2005 Lakeshore EE371(800) 428-4414 Ages 6+www.lakeshorelearning.com Printed in China

Designed to meet these objectives:Language• Students will read with increased fluency, using appropriate

phrasing, inflection and intonation.• Students will identify themes and ideas in poetry.• Students will respond to poetry in writing.

In the shallow water,Underneath the waves,An octopus is hiding,Inside its rocky cave.

The octopus has eight armsWith suckers on each one.I wish I had that many arms.I think it would be fun!

by Christine CoronaTHE OCTOPUS If I had eight arms, I would...

I read this poem to:

love it! I could do so many things all at once. It would help when i play basketball. I could dribble with eight arms instead of just one.

Mom Kyle Grandpa

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Mini LessonsUse the poems to introduce or practice language skills and conceptsthroughout the year. Following are some examples to get you started!

Sound Words• Poetry often includes words that imitate the sound they refer to,

such as “splash,” “pop,” “buzz” or “crackle.” Help students identify these words as they read the poems.

Parts of Speech• Review the parts of speech students are learning. Then, have them

circle or underline nouns, verbs or descriptive words in the poem ofthe week.

Rhyming Words• Identify the words in a poem that rhyme with each other. Prompt

students to brainstorm a list of other words with the same rhyme.

Word Families and Spelling Patterns• Look at the spelling patterns in the list of rhyming words students

created. Do some of the words end with the same group of letters?Explain that a group of words like these is called a “word family.”

Synonyms and Antonyms• Choose a key word from the poem of the week, and brainstorm a

list of synonyms and a list of antonyms for the word. Collect thelists throughout the year, and bind them together to create a referencefor students to use when they are writing.

Syllables and Accents• Substitute one of the synonyms into the poem, and read the result

aloud. Has the meaning of the poem changed in any way? Has therhyme or rhythm changed? Compare the number of syllables andthe position of the accented syllables in the original word with itssynonym.

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Additional ActivitiesFollowing are some suggestions for activities your students are sure toenjoy! Try a different one each week to supplement the journal.

Choral Reading• Read the poem aloud with your students to help them hear the

rhythm. Then, have them read it in chorus.

Alternating Readers• Encourage students to read the poem line by line, with girls and

boys alternating on each line. Or, alternate lines between the leftand right sides of the classroom.

Partner-Reading• Have students work with partners and take turns reading the poem

aloud to each other to improve their fluency.

Dramatizing Poetry• Encourage students to memorize the poem. Invite volunteers to

recite the poem to the class, using hand gestures if appropriate.

• Assign students to small groups, and have the groups take turnsacting out the poem for the class. Provide props as needed.

Looking for Meaning• Have students form small groups and discuss the poem. What is the

topic or theme? What did the author want readers to think or feelas they read the poem?

Responding to Poetry• Direct students to write a response to the prompt in their journals.

Then, encourage them to share their responses with other students.

Creative Responses• Invite students to copy the poem onto a sheet of paper and draw

an illustration or make an art project to go with it.

Writing Poetry• Have students write their own poetry, using the same topic or

writing in a similar style.

• Working as a class, write additional verses to the poem.

Sharing Poetry• Encourage students to take the poem home and read it to their

family or friends.