Shel Silverstein
A Study of the Elements
of Poetry
Scenario
The third grade students in your school are going to have a poetry party in a few weeks to learn about poetry. Their teacher has asked your class to assist her in teaching her students about the elements of poetry and figurative language. The teacher has found out that her students are very interested in Shel Silverstein. To help the third grade students learn about poetry, answer this important question...
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How
does Shel Silverstein use elements of poetry to enhance the meaning
of his works?
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Task and Product
Your teacher will assign you to a group. Each group will research one element of poetry. As a group, you will define that element of poetry and choose a poem by Shel Silverstein that illustrates your element of poetry to read to the third graders. Then independently, you will construct an original poem using your assigned element of poetry.
Your group will present Shel Silverstein's poem and each group member's original poem in the form of:
- a poster
- an oral report
- a multimedia presentation
Assessments
You will be assessed on your participation in your group, as well as your evaluation of Shel Silverstein's poem, and your original poem with the assigned element of poetry.
Question
Essential Question:
How does
Shel Silverstein use elements of poetry to enhance the meaning
of his works?
Subsidiary Questions:
- What is the definition of your element?
- What is an example of your element?
- How did Shel Silverstein use your element in his poem?
- How did your element help you understand the poem?
Gather and Sort
Gather information about from a variety of sources.
Sort your research findings using a graphic organizer or Note-Taking Methods. Keep track of your resources for a bibliography.
Organize
Analyze your completed graphic organizers and note cards:
Was the element defined and analyzed
in your presentation?
Did the element enhance the meaning of the poem?
Does my poem effectively use the element to convey my meaning?
Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task using the following questions:
Have you gathered sufficient details
about your element of poetry?
Are your details organized in the right categories or sub-topics
to make sense for your audience?
Are you ready to create your product?
Conclusion
Reflection and/or Extension Activities:
In the form of a BCR, answer the question below:
How has your research on that particular element of poetry helped you to understand the meaning of Shel Silverstein's poem?
Choose one of the poets below that writes humorous poetry and compare the elements in his poetry to the elements in Shel Silverstein's work using the Venn diagram.
- Jack Prelutsky
- J. Patrick Lewis