Demonstration Lesson – Poetry

Grade Level/Subject:  3^rd Grade, Language Arts (Poetry)

Small Class Lesson

Objectives: 

	Students will read orally with fluency
	Students will participate in poetry reading
	Students will provide possible rhyming words to complete poems
	Students times and errors will be recorded by the teacher

Illinois State Learning Standards: (Goal, Standard and Bench Mark)

State Goal 1:  Read with understanding and fluency Learning Standard B:  Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency 1.B.2d:  Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy

Materials:

	Poems selected from www.gigglepoetry.com
	Fill-in-the-blank rhyming sheets from www.gigglepoetry.com

Anticipatory set:

	Have students sit in chairs in a small circle with the teacher.  Read “Mary Had a Little Lamb” using the original version.  Now read the Giggle Poetry version of “Mary Had a Little Something” and observe the reaction of the students.
	Ask the students why the second poem made them giggle.
	Ask which of the two poems they found more enjoyable
	Explain to the students that they will have an opportunity to read some of the Giggle Poetry, too.

Procedures:

	The Giggle Poetry poems have been printed out and are placed face down on the floor.  The first student picks up a poem and reads the poem aloud while the others listen.
	Students should read fluently and clearly.
	Ask the students to listen carefully to the words and to the rhyming sounds.
	The students take turns continuing until all of the poems have been read aloud.
	Each student should be allowed to read at least two poems if possible and time permits.

Activity:

	Each student is given a copy of a tongue twister poem
	Students will read the poem aloud as another student keeps time.
	The other students follow along and check for accuracy.
	Continue until everyone has completed the task twice
	Students can compare their scores.

Modifications/Adaptations: 

	Students who have difficulty with certain types of speech sounds in the “tongue twisters” would be able to switch to a different one to read.
	Small groups may be arranged according to reading levels.

Extensions:

	Students would write a four-line giggle poem of their own to share with their group.
	The entire group would work together to create their own version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Assessments:

	All students are expected to participate in the oral reading of the poems.
	Students should follow along as each student reads aloud.
	Students will be expected to read clearly enough for the group to hear.
	Students will read with fluency.
	Students should increase speed and fluency on second round of tongue twister reading.