LESSON TIPS - RHYMES - POEMS

Rhymes and short poems are a great way to teach phonemic awareness as well as sharpen listening skills.

An invaluable resources has been the book "Días y días de poesía. Developing Literacy through Poetry and Folklore" by Alma Flor Ada

Objectives:
  • Students will learn vocabulary through TPR.
  • Students will practice their listening skills through activities
  • Students will become familiar with sound and rhythm of target language.
  • Students will imitate rhythmic patterns created by the teacher using percussion instruments or by striking the body.
  • Students will study and perform rhymes and poems.
Materials:
  • Props to illustrate vocabulary of poem
  • Craft materials
  • Recorded versions of poem on music CD
  • Laptop to record recitation.
  • Video Camera to tape performances.

Background Information:
  • Author
  • Country / Region
  • Cultural significance
Learning Activities:
  • Shared Reading
    • Allows to connect spoken and printed text
  • Choral Reading
    • Teacher reads a word, line, verse and students repeat as echo.
    • Students and teacher alternate words, lines, verses
  • Mental Pictures
  • Dramatic Interpretation
    • Finger play
    • Pantomime
    • Puppetry
    • Role play
    • Dramatization
  • Song
    • Recorded version if available
    • Introducing song verse by verse
    • Kanon
  • Dance
    • Freeze Dance
    • With Musical Instruments
  • Recitation
    • Partner
    • Group
    • One-word each recitation
    • Slow/fast/high pitched/ deep voice
  • Memorization
    • Individual
    • Group
  • Sentence Strips or Word Cards
  • Word Search /Crossword Puzzle
  • Poster for each verse line. Each student holds up poster when line is read
  • Art
    • Students draw their favorite verse or mental picture
    • Illustrate the main idea of poem
  • Games
  • Technology
    • Record students reciting poem
    • Videorecording of performance
    • Scan in pictures drawn by students to create electronic illustration and booklet
Assessment:
  • Fill in the blank
  • Individual / Group presentation
Culminating Activity:
  • Craft
  • Presentation for another class/Principal