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Ocean Poems Lesson Plan
POETRY
Text Type: Poetry Word Count: 1455
Book Summary
Ocean Poems is a collection of sixteen poems about the ocean.
Students learn to listen for ending rhymes as they learn about
characteristics of the ocean, such as coral reefs, tides, waves,
and whales. Photographs support the poems.
Approximate book level: U
Build Background
Ask students to explain what they know about poetry. Invite them to share favorite poems and/or
poets. Explain that there are many different types of poetry. Invite students to identify types of
poetry they know about.
Discuss poetrys rhymes and rhythms. Explain to students that each poem in this book follows an
AABB pattern, or pairs of successive sentences contain ending words that rhyme. Read the rst
poem and ask students to tell you the two rhyming words at the end of the rst pair of sentences
(high and sky). Ask them to identify the two rhyming words at the end of the second pair of
sentences (source and course). Point out how the two pairs of sentences illustrate the AABB
rhyming pattern.
Preview the Poems
Discuss information students already know about oceans (color, animals that live there, and so
on). Show students the front and back covers of the book and read the title. Turn to the title
page. Discuss the information on the page (title, authors name). Discuss the photographs.
Invite students to explain what they see in the photographs and what they think the poems
might be about.
During Reading
Have students listen as you read the poems. Read the poems expressively and emphasize the
words that rhyme in each pair of sentences.
Use think-aloud strategies to remind students to use what they already know to help make sense
of each poem. React to parts of the poem with facial expressions and gestures. Allow students
to stop to ask questions during reading, especially if they do not understand something. Invite
students to identify characteristics of poetry (it uses lots of description, it expresses feelings, it
allows a reader to see a topic in a different way through the concise use of vocabulary, and so on).
After Reading
Reader Response
Ask students what they thought of the poems. Have them identify and discuss their favorite poem.
Comprehension
Ask specic questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the poems.
What ocean topics were highlighted in the poems?
What types of living things are found in the oceans?
How can oceans become dangerous?