CEClang.59
TITLE: ZOO ANIMAL POETRY
AUTHOR: Susan W. Hixson, Carminati Elementary,
Tempe, Az.
GRADE LEVEL: Appropriate for K-3.
OVERVIEW: Many classes plan trips to the zoo to see
the animals. Classes may study the animals in books
and read many stories, or write original stories, but
to really bring the facts alive using a video camera
and poetry is very powerful. This activity was
formulated to bring the animals into the classroom and
the homes of the students.
OBJECTIVE(s): Students will be able to:
1. Carefully observe and remember details about
the animals at the zoo.
2. Work cooperatively in groups.
3. List at least 5 facts about each of the animals
they saw at the zoo. These facts can be
characteristics of actions or physical
appearance.
4. Follow the form of the given poem and complete
each of the lines using facts they have learned.
5. Write a poem and read it chorally before the video
camera.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Teacher materials: video camera, chart paper, marker
dubbing machine.
Student materials: paper, pencils
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Plan and take an exciting trip to the zoo after
reading books and having many discussions about
zoo animals. Be sure to point out that students
are to look for details and facts about the
animals they see. Following the trip, students
are asked to share the facts they noticed about
the animals.
2. During the trip to the zoo, the teacher or a
volunteer will video tape the animals . (Be sure
to take long shots of each of the animals you
want, at least 30 seconds on each animal. This
will be important later as you voice over on the
tape with the poetry performed by the students.)
3. After the trip, the teacher brainstorms with the
students some facts about one of the animals
she/he saw at the zoo. She models by writing
these facts and descriptions on a chart in front
of the class. (Tiger, huge cat, gold and black,
loud roar, large padded feet, rubbing up against a
lonely tree, prowling around habitat.)
Next,the class is divided into cooperative
groups and each group selects one of the animals
which were filmed at the zoo. The entire class
watches the tape and each group is careful to
focus on the animal they are going to write
about.
4. The entire group helps the teacher fill in the
blanks of a poetry form.
Tiger!
You have a roar like thunder.
You are fuzzy, gold, and black.
You roam around on padded feet.
You scratch your back on a lonely tree.
You are the biggest cat I have ever seen.
You are my favorite zoo animal because you look
so lovable.
Tiger!
The class is taking facts and fitting them into
the form, this pattern can be used to review facts
about any topic.
5. Now in cooperative groups, the students brainstorm
facts about the animal they have chosen. One of
the students is the scribe and makes a list of the
ideas. After all the facts are listed, the most
descriptive details are selected or modified and
put into the poetry pattern.
(Name of Animal)
You ______________
You ______________
You ______________
You ______________
You ______________
You are my favorite zoo animal because you
__________.
(Name of Animal)
6. Each group practices reading their poem aloud and
then they take turns reading it for the teacher as
they are being video taped. The voices of the
children will then be copied over the video of the
animals.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: The completed product will be
a delight to hear and see as the poetry describes the
animals. Copies of the tape can be made and checked
out by students to share with their parents at home.
Poems written by the student groups are also perfect to
place on a bulletin board or in a big book for others
to read, illustrate, and enjoy throughout the year.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org