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31 Writing Small Poems

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153
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Write Away

Start-Up Activity

Share some of your favorite photos with students. Ask them to describe what they see. Tell them why each photo means so much to you.

Then point out how a poem is like a photo. It captures a moment in time. It lets the writer share something special with the reader.

Tell your students that in this chapter, they will capture little snapshots of life in the form of short poems.

Think About It

“A picture is a poem without words.”

—Horace

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 154 from Write Away

Sample List Poem

Help students understand that a list poem is a collection of thoughts, feelings, and sensations that describe a topic. It doesn't have to be exactly a list, but it needs to be full of details that bring the topic to life for readers.

Have a volunteer read the sample list poem. Ask students what details they like most from the poem—and why. Tell students that when they write their own list poems, they should try to find details that their readers will love.

You can also share another list poem with your students: "Winter Words."

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.2.RL.1.1

TEKS Standard:

110.4.b.6.B, 110.4.b.8

NE ELA Standard:

LA 2.1.6.i

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Mode:

Form:

Theme:

English Language Arts:

Reading

Page 155 from Write Away

Writing a List Poem

Ask students to write down the names of things that they love (and could write a poem about). Have them select one topic to explore.

Then have students list as many details as they can about their topics. Encourage them to write down thoughts and feelings about it. Then also have them write sensations (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching). Finally, have them write actions related to it, and dialogue (things people say). The more details they have in their lists, the easier it will be for them to write their poems.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.2.W.2.5

TEKS Standard:

110.4.b.11.C, 110.4.b.11.D

NE ELA Standard:

LA 2.2.1.e, LA 2.2.1.f, LA 2.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Grade 2

Mode:

Creative Writing

Form:

Poem

English Language Arts:

Writing Process Prewriting

Page 156 from Write Away

Write

Lead your students through the tips for writing their list poems. Advise them to include many different types of details in their poems. Also, point students to page 169 for ways that they can play with sound.

Above all, emphasize to students that creating a poem should be a fun process of play.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.2.W.2.5

TEKS Standard:

110.4.b.11.C, 110.4.b.11.D

NE ELA Standard:

LA 2.2.1.e, LA 2.2.1.f, LA 2.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Grade 2

Mode:

Creative Writing

Form:

Poem

English Language Arts:

Writing Process Writing

Page 157 from Write Away

Revise and Edit

Use this page to help students improve their list poems. Provide the checklists for revising and editing.

Downloads:

Revising and Editing Checklists

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.2.W.2.5

TEKS Standard:

110.4.b.11.C, 110.4.b.11.D

NE ELA Standard:

LA 2.2.1.e, LA 2.2.1.f, LA 2.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:

Grade 2

Mode:

Creative Writing

Form:

Poem

English Language Arts:

Revising Editing

Page 158 from Write Away

More Small Poems

Inspire your students to create other simple forms of poetry. Again, have them start with a topic that they love and gather details about it.

Then, have students select part of the alphabet and write lines beginning with each letter. Or have them follow the directions for creating a diamond poem.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.2.RL.2.4

NE ELA Standard:

LA 2.1.6.c