Name Poetry
Subject(s): Language Arts (English)
Grade/Level: 3-4
Activity Details: SUMMARY: Students will learn and use word processing skills to write, format, and illustrate a Name Poem. This activity will take three 30 - 40 minute computer labs and an addtional 30 - 45 minutes of class time before the first computer lab. IN CLASS: Students will be introduced to the concept of name poetry using an overhead transparency of the attached sample (Mrs. Lucas Name Poem), will receive the attached form to use in developing their own poem (Name Poem Format), and will be given 30-45 minutes to complete their draft poem. Tell them they will use only their first name for this poem. COMPUTER LAB SESSION 1: Instruct students to open Word. Circulate throughout the activity to verify success and answer any questions. Verify that each student has a new document displayed. Direct students to type their name at the top of their document (where the cursor is flashing). Using a projector, demonstrate how to center this title, bold it, and underline it. Direct students to center, bold, and underline their titles. Demonstrate how to change the font type and size. Direct students to change the font type and size of their title. Demonstrate how to save your file and have students save theirs. Tell them you'll be reminding them to save periodically throughout the lab. Give students the remainder of the lab to start typing in their poem and experiment with various fonts and features. At the end of the session, remind all students to save their files, then walk them through the steps necessary to close Word and retrieve their diskettes. COMPUTER LAB SESSION 2: Direct students to insert their diskettes and walk them through the steps to open Word and their files. Using the projector, demonstrate how to change page margins (and how that can create a different look for the poem) and the color of type and the background (if you have a color printer available). Give students a few minutes to experiment with these features. Remind them to save their document occasionally to prevent its loss. Demonstrate how to add borders and shading to all or part of the document and give students the remainder of the lab session to experiment with the features taught today and continue typing in their poem if they are not done. At the end of the session, remind all students to save their files, then walk them through the steps necessary to close Word and retrieve their diskettes. COMPUTER LAB SESSION 3: Direct students to insert their diskettes and walk them through the steps to open Word and their files. Using the projector, demonstrate how to insert pictures from clip art; then move and re-size them. Direct students to practice inserting, moving, and re-sizing various pictures. Tell the students that each completed poem must contain at least two clip art pictures. Give them the remainder of the period to complete their poem. As students finish their poems, review the poems and then direct each student to print. Remind all students to save their files, then walk them through the steps necessary to close Word and retrieve their diskettes. Provide a list of interactive language arts websites to any students who finish early. Attachments:  1.  Mrs. Lucas Name Poem Sample of name poetry.  2.  My Name Poem Format for students to use to draft their poems.
Standards: CA- California K-12 Academic Content Standards • Subject : English Language Arts • Grade : Grade Three • Area : Writing • Standard 2.0: Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) Students write compositions that describe and explain familiar objects, events, and experiences. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the drafting, research, and organizational strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0. • Concept : Using the writing strategies of grade three outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:  Benchmark or Example 2.2: Write descriptions that use concrete sensory details to present and support unified impressions of people, places, things, or experiences. • Grade : Grade Four • Area : Writing • Standard 1.0: Writing Strategies Students write clear, coherent sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea. Their writing shows they consider the audience and purpose. Students progress through the stages of the writing process (e.g., prewriting, drafting, revising, editing successive versions). • Concept : Organization and Focus  Benchmark or Example 1.1: Select a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view based upon purpose, audience, length, and format requirements.
Assessment: Rubrics: Name Poetry