English Language Arts
The ebook above was created using a tool called StoryJumper. While more sophisticated tools are available - particularly if one is interested in utilizing applications available for iPads - the website offers a great service for young learners.
Using StoryJumper, students can independently or collaboratively create ebooks that can be shared digitally or even printed. There are some limits to the types of information and multimedia that students can utilize, but as a storytelling device, it's fantastic. The website comes with a number of images and photos that students are free to use in their creation. They just need to supply the content!
Using StoryJumper, students can independently or collaboratively create ebooks that can be shared digitally or even printed. There are some limits to the types of information and multimedia that students can utilize, but as a storytelling device, it's fantastic. The website comes with a number of images and photos that students are free to use in their creation. They just need to supply the content!
Activity 2: Weather Cinquain Poems
Materials:
Time:
Two 1 hour sessions
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.6
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
Teacher Directions:
In this activity, students will craft poems to describe the weather. Using the cinquain format, students will write their weather poems and publish them digitally in a class ebook. Students will collaborate using the StoryJumper website to add a page to our class book. The book will be published on our classroom website.
Many state standards require students to learn about and create their own poetry. It can be a challenge to integrate this genre into the classroom. Many students struggle to generate ideas or topics for their poetry. According to Linda Hoyt, an expert in elementary literacy, teachers can leverage the power of poetry to help students summarize new learning and address the Common Core Standards.
A cinquain is a five-line poem that does not rhyme. Begin by using this resource from Read Write Think to share samples of cinquain poems with students. Once students have a clear sense of the structure and organization of the cinquain, provide them with the following document, adapted from Read Write Think, to generate their own cinquain poems. If you're in a device-rich environment, you can make a template of this document in Google Classroom and share it with your students to complete digitally. If device access is limited, you can simply print the document.
Provide students with time to generate their own weather cinquain poems. If time remains, students can generate more than one poem. Once students have drafted their poem, they will work collaboratively to add a page to the class ebook in StoryJumper.
To prepare for this section of the lesson, teachers must create a free StoryJumper account. If you are a teacher, you have the option of creating a class. This does not require student email addresses and the terms and conditions state that the tool is appropriate for the use of elementary-aged student. To set up this activity, create a shell project in the library. Make sure that you enable “group book” settings. For more information on how to utilize the classroom features of Story Jumper, click here to access their Teacher’s Guide.
Materials:
- Sample cinquain poems from Read Write Think
- Cinquain poem template (adapted from Read Write Think)
- StoryJumper account for Teacher and Students
- Access to devices for the publication session
Time:
Two 1 hour sessions
- Reading and Drafting cinquain poems (1 hour)
- Publication session on student devices (1 hour)
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.6
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
Teacher Directions:
In this activity, students will craft poems to describe the weather. Using the cinquain format, students will write their weather poems and publish them digitally in a class ebook. Students will collaborate using the StoryJumper website to add a page to our class book. The book will be published on our classroom website.
Many state standards require students to learn about and create their own poetry. It can be a challenge to integrate this genre into the classroom. Many students struggle to generate ideas or topics for their poetry. According to Linda Hoyt, an expert in elementary literacy, teachers can leverage the power of poetry to help students summarize new learning and address the Common Core Standards.
A cinquain is a five-line poem that does not rhyme. Begin by using this resource from Read Write Think to share samples of cinquain poems with students. Once students have a clear sense of the structure and organization of the cinquain, provide them with the following document, adapted from Read Write Think, to generate their own cinquain poems. If you're in a device-rich environment, you can make a template of this document in Google Classroom and share it with your students to complete digitally. If device access is limited, you can simply print the document.
Provide students with time to generate their own weather cinquain poems. If time remains, students can generate more than one poem. Once students have drafted their poem, they will work collaboratively to add a page to the class ebook in StoryJumper.
To prepare for this section of the lesson, teachers must create a free StoryJumper account. If you are a teacher, you have the option of creating a class. This does not require student email addresses and the terms and conditions state that the tool is appropriate for the use of elementary-aged student. To set up this activity, create a shell project in the library. Make sure that you enable “group book” settings. For more information on how to utilize the classroom features of Story Jumper, click here to access their Teacher’s Guide.
Once you have created the group book, students will be responsible for creating their own page. Students must include the following information:
The teacher has the option to purchase the class book or share it digitally using an embed code or link. Once students have finished, schedule time for an unveiling for students to read their poem aloud to the class and share their work.
References:
Gardner, T. (n.d.). Composing Cinquain Poems with Basic Parts of Speech. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/composing-cinquain-poems-with-43.html.
Hoyt, L. (2014). Crafting Nonfiction: Lessons on Writing Process, Traits, and Craft. Porstmouth, NH. Heinemann.
- Poem Title
- Author Name
- Cinquain poem
- Scene
- 1 Prop
The teacher has the option to purchase the class book or share it digitally using an embed code or link. Once students have finished, schedule time for an unveiling for students to read their poem aloud to the class and share their work.
References:
Gardner, T. (n.d.). Composing Cinquain Poems with Basic Parts of Speech. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/composing-cinquain-poems-with-43.html.
Hoyt, L. (2014). Crafting Nonfiction: Lessons on Writing Process, Traits, and Craft. Porstmouth, NH. Heinemann.