Why Teach Poetry?

We do such a great job teaching fiction and nonfiction text structures in our classrooms but there is one structure that sometimes gets left behind...
POETRY!

The amazing thing about poetry is its versatility!  Poetry can be taught in reading, writing, and language.  It also can support math, science, and social studies!  Poetry easily follows a theme and can be part of our morning meetings or shared reading times in the classroom. 

I loved using poetry during our study of fairy tales.  My 2nd-grade students jumped at the chance to write shape poems about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

 

Poetry also allows us to hit our speaking & listening standards along with fluency!  Great discussions can be had and students will have opportunities to focus on meaning, connections, and visualizations.  

Students will be able to explore language through rhyme while also supporting grammar, sentence structure, and parts of speech. Poetry also builds vocabulary by exposing them to words they have not heard before.  

Older students can begin to analyze poems.  Watch this short video that will walk you through 5 simple steps.  

This video is a great explanation of the structure of a poem.  Click below to view!

Check out these freebies on Teachers Pay Teachers!  Lots of goodies to get you started!

Be sure to head over to Teaching with Jennifer Findley and read all about poetry in her classroom.  Plus, download her FREE poetry booklet!  Click below!

Her poetry BINGO is super fun too!  

Be sure to check it out!

Get your kiddos writing poetry using this nonfiction book on Epic Books called, How to Write a Poem.  Touch base with nonfiction text features while you are at it.  

Teaching poetry is so powerful and it can be pushed out to support so many different curriculum areas!  Think-your READ centers!

Literature Circles

Have you even joined a book club?  Delicious snacks, fun company, and engaging conversations!  This idea can be brought to life in your classroom through Literature Circles.

What is a literature circle you ask?
Literature circles are small groups of students who have gathered together to discuss and analyze a piece of literature they chose. 

Each member of the group is assigned a role to help guide the discussion. Click below to watch a video about possible jobs/roles for students during a literature circle. 

Literature circles provide students with the opportunity to think critically as they read, share their thinking, ask questions, and respond to the reading selection.  Giving students the opportunity to discuss the text supports critical thinking and listening to other's ideas helps them form new ideas. 
(This is a GREAT opportunity for students to use their DOK flipbooks to support their questioning or our reading salads to engage metacognition.) 

The key to a successful literature circle is organization that supports collaboration. 

Want to get organized for literature circles?
Check out this freebie from Tales from a Very Busy Teacher to get started! 

Grab there FREE Literature Circle Bookmarks from Inspired Elementary!  While you are there, be sure to read the post Literature Circles 101!

Teacher Thrive has great tips for getting your LC up and running right away! 

I Love this blogpost and the freebie over at The Measure Mom.  She has discussion questions and book talk guidelines that will help you dive right into your literature circles!

Now here is a fantastic post from Glitter in Third Grade to help you begin to compile books for your Literature Circles!

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to view some wonderful book lists!

Numberless Word Problems

This week on the blog,  I would like to jump into the world of numberless word problems! 
We want our students to be able to process what the problem is asking before they jump into the numbers.  How do we get them to do that? 
Take the numbers out!  

One very important strategy we can borrow from our reading instruction is visualization! When you present word problems without numbers, students are forced to visualize what is happening in the problem. 

Without the numbers, students are not distracted by the roadblocks of numbers.  Their thinking becomes more open & flexible.  You will see students beginning to feed off of each other.  All of a sudden, word problems will be fun, their favorite part of math!  

I found this amazing blog post from Primary Bliss Teaching!  It walks you through the steps you need to instruct students with numberless word problems.  There are also 2 free downloads of resources to use in your classroom! 

I love this Notice and Wonder strategy from The Teaching Channel to launch a numberless word problem!  Take a peek below!

You can grab a FREE recording sheet from Miss Poulson on TPT by clicking below! 

NWP in KINDER!!!!  Check out these little problem solvers in Kindergarten.

  

These students are so engaged in the discussion.  Along with math thinking, students are practicing their speaking and listening skills too!

Where the Magic Happens Teaching has a great post on numberless word problems and an easy to use math frame to support students with organization and showing their work. Read more about the Protocol by clicking below!