Share That Poem!
Rereading Poems to Enhance Fluency
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 2: Consolidation / FluencyStage 3: Literacy for Growth
Ages:
7-9
Grade Range:
1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Reading Fluency & Expression
Activity Description
Preparation:
1. Select a poem for your students to learn
a. Choose a poem which contains many sight words and will be enjoyable for students to perform
2. Copy the poem onto chart paper so the class can read it together
3. Make photocopies of the poem for each student to take home
Implementation:
1. Introduce the class to the poem of the week by displaying and reading it aloud
a. Model reading fluency by reading the poem clearly
2. Point out and underline the sight words
3. Invite students to read the poem in unison and facilitate this by pointing to each word
4. Have smaller groups read the poem chorally
5. Facilitate a discussion about the qualities of a good poetry reading and discuss appropriate pauses,
speed, and volume
6. Divide students into pairs and provide each student with a copy of the poem
a. Ask students to perform the poem for their partner
7. After all students have had the opportunity to read the poem to a partner, explain that they will each be
performing this poem many times: to their family and friends and to each other
a. After each performance, have their audience members initial the performers copy of the poem
b. Encourage students to perform their poem as many times as possible over the next two days
8. After two days have passed, begin inviting students to perform their poem for the class
a. Provide positive feedback after each performance
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Use visuals to explain the poems meaning - Discuss the new vocabulary words after the first reading of the poem - Assign ELL students to non-ELL partners
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- Facilitate the use of reading strategies - Ask students to retell the poem in their own words
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Select poems that are representative of a variety of cultures - Invite students to share their favourite poems with the class
Differentiated Instruction:
- Teach explicit reading strategies - Give students the opportunity to receive feedback from many sources
Related References
Source and Evidence: Faver, S. (2008). Repeated Reading of Poetry Can Enhance Reading Fluency. The Reading Teacher, 62(4), 350-352.
Activity Objective
The goal of Share That Poem!: Rereading Poems to Enhance Fluency is to have students repeatedly perform the same poem in a variety of different contexts in order to build reading fluency.
What You Need
Prep Time:
10 minutes - Select a poem and copy it onto chart paper - Photocopy the weekly poem for each student
Task Time:
1, 25-minute session and 6, 5-minute sessions Session 1: - Teacher models reading of poem - Class reads poem chorally - Students read poem aloud to a partner Sessions 2-7: - Students present the poem to the class
Materials Required:
Teacher: - Chart paper - Markers - Selection of poems (one for each week) Student: - Copy of the weekly poem
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Modeling: - during the initial reading of poem Facilitator: - during choral and partner readings Supporter: - during individual poetry performances
Student Grouping:
Whole class: - during teacher modeling and choral reading Pairs: - during partner reading Individual: - when practicing poetry readings - when performing poem to the class
Assessment Ideas:
- Evaluate student performances on overall fluency as well as sight word fluency - Record suggestions for improvement, and share these suggestions with the class when introducing the following weeks poem
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- Use song lyrics rather than poetry, and allow students to choose whether to sing or read aloud during their performances - Film students performing the poem and then have students watch and self-evaluate their performance - If students have written their own poetry, use a student written poem as the weekly poem - Perform poems for other classes around the school and/or host a poetry night for the parents to attend
Additional Comments:
- Depending on the range of reading levels in a classroom, it may be advisable to choose two or more poems per week. Be sure to choose poems that will be interesting and challenging for all students. - Help students in providing their classmates with appropriate feedback and to develop appropriate listening and audience skills.
Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Emphasize the mastery of sight words
