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AFTER READING
OBJECTIVES
Genre Poem
Writer's Craft Vivid Words
Writing Trait Organization/
Paragraphs
  • Identify the characteristics of a poem.
  • Write a poem with vivid words.
  • Focus on organization/paragraphs.
  • Use a rubric.
ELL
Organization/Paragraphs Make sure English learners can decode words in the prompt. Work with students to complete a cloze sentence that addresses the prompt and could be used to launch writing.
Writing Trait
FOCUS/IDEAS The poem
describes a wave's movement.
ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS
The poem is organized in
lines and stanzas. Rhyme
and sentences support this
organization.
VOICE The writer has a unique,
imaginative voice.
WORD CHOICE The writer uses
vivid words and figurative language to make the poem lively.
SENTENCEs Sentences fit into
lines and stanzas.
CONVENTIONS Grammar and
mechanics are excellent, including use of singular and plural pronouns.
DAY 1
Model the Trait
DAY 2
Improve Writing
DAY 3
Prewrite and Draft
DAY 4
Draft and Revise
DAY 5
Connect to Unit Writing
READING-WRITING CONNECTION
  • Wings is a fantasy about a boy whose wings make him different.
  • Ideas in Wings are expressed through well-developed paragraphs.
  • Students will write a poem that uses vivid language and imagery in its lines and stanzas.
MODEL ORGANIZATION/
PARAGRAPHS Discuss Writing Transparency 16A. Then discuss the model and the writing trait of organization/paragraphs.
Think Aloud I see that the writer has written a poem called "Waves." Poems can be organized into groups of lines called stanzas. In this poem, each stanza has four lines. The writer uses rhyme at the end of each pair of lines. (away/day, land/sand, high/sky, reach/beach)
Writing Transparency
Writing Transparency 16A
with | without Answers
WRITER'S CRAFT
Vivid Words
Display Writing Transparency 16B. Read the directions and work together to choose the vivid words.
Think Aloud USE VIVID WORDS
Tomorrow we will write a poem about flying. What vivid words can I use? To describe how something takes off and stays in the air, I can use strong, vivid verbs such as soar, flap, and dive. I can use adverbs such as gracefully and smoothly to describe something in flight. I can use adjectives such as eager, thrilled, or afraid to tell how I feel when flying.
GUIDED WRITING Some students may need more help recognizing vivid words. Work with them to identify vivid word use in another selection.
Writing Transparency 16B
with | without Answers
READ THE WRITING PROMPT
on page 29 in the Student Edition.
Wings describes a boy who can fly.
Think about what it would be like to fly.
Now write a poem about flying.
Writing Test Tips
  • Write a list of words and phrases that describe the topic.
  • Combine words and phrases into complete lines. Decide whether or not these words will rhyme.
  • Substitute vivid words for ordinary ones.
GETTING STARTED Students can do any of the following:
  • Review the story to recall words related to flying.
  • Create a concept map with Flying in the center.
  • Write words and phrases brought to mind by the phrase in the sky.
  • Talk with people about their experiences flying in planes and helicopters. They can ask about the flyers' feelings and experiences.
EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST
  • Does the poem tell about something in motion or something unusual?
  • Does the poem use vivid words?
  • Are singular and plural pronouns used correctly?
  • Are irregular plurals spelled correctly?
See The Grammar and Writing Book, pp. 140–145.
Revising Tips
Organization/Paragraphs
  • Use a line for each new idea.
  • For several related ideas, put lines together in a stanza.
  • Begin each line with a capital letter.
PUBLISHING Students can hold a class poetry reading. Some students may wish to revise their work later.
ASSESSMENT Use the scoring rubric to evaluate students' work.
Week 1
Poem 35g–35h
Week 2
Describe a Setting
59g–59h
Week 3
Memoir 85g–85h
Week 4
Describe a Goal
111g–111h
Week 5
Write About Plot
137g–137h
Story
PREVIEW THE UNIT PROMPT
Tell a story about a character who
is one of a kind. Focus on
an event that shows how this
person is unique. Your story may
be real or imagined, humorous
or serious.
APPLY
  • A story has a beginning,
    middle, and end and focuses
    on one incident or event.
  • Like a story, a poem focuses
    on a person, thing, or event
    in an imaginative way.
Writing Workshop   Poem
Trait of the Week
Organization/Paragraphs
 
   
Close  
Writing Trait Rubric  
4 3 2 1
Organization/ Paragraphs
Very strong organization of lines with a rhyming pattern and effective rhythm
Good use of rhythm within rhyming lines
Limited use of rhyme and rhythm in lines
Lines without rhythm or rhyme
Poem divided into idea-related stanzas with a specific focus
Poem mostly focused on specific ideas in each stanza
Poem attempts stanzas or some organizational structure
Poem lacking
stanzas or any
organizational structure