Lesson Plan Title: Writing an acrostic poem (Veteran’s Day)
Concept/Topic to Teach: Writing with Expressive Language
Standards Addressed: 2nd grade (Day 4)
SS 4.) Discuss celebrations in the United States and around the world.
E/LA 8.) Organize sentences into a paragraph to address a topic or tell a story.
• Writing free verse poetry to express ideas
TE 1.) Use input and output devices of technology systems.
Examples: input-recording devices, keyboards, touch screens
- output- printers
NETS
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop
innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and
operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
Specific Objectives:
The students will be able to compose an acrostic poem.
The students will be able to type and transfer their poem to a PowerPoint
document.
The students will add a personalized words and design to the PowerPoint.
Required Materials:
Computer with Internet access
Flash drive
Paper
Pencil
Smart board
Projector
Microsoft PowerPoint
Veteran’s Day by Jacqueline S. Cotton
Veteran of the Armed Forces, MSG Jim Washington
veteran word template
Veterans Day by Cheryl Dyson
Anticipatory Set (Lead-In):
TTW review with the students about what it means to be a veteran.
TTW will lead a grand conversation on the genre of expository texts and
how they help us to understand a particular subject better.
TTW will tell the students that they will have an opportunity to compose
their own acrostic poem about veterans.
TTW will tell the students that the purpose of the lesson is to help them to
write about veterans with clarity.
TTW tell the students they will be expected to write an acrostic poem, edit
and revise the poem, and transform the written poem into a PowerPoint after
all revisions have been made.
Step-By-Step Procedures for Teaching the Lesson:
TTW reread Veterans Day by Cheryl Dyson. TTW discuss the terms used in
the book and place them on the word wall, as well as the board as weekly
high frequency words.
TTW ask the students to write three words that they feel would accurately
describe a veteran.
TTW divide the class into groups of four to five students. In a class of
twenty three, there will be approximately four to five groups.
TTW assign students jobs
o Gopher –retrieve materials
o Recorder- records group answers
o Cleaner-cleans up all supplies after activity
o Leader- keeps group on task
o Each group will have a set of materials such as paper, markers, and
pencils.
TTW allow the students to brainstorm questions that they will use if they
were to interview a veteran.
TTW review the questions written by the students and help them to revise
the questions, if necessary.
TTW introduce the guest speaker for the day, MSG Jim Washington. MSG
is a twenty- five year Veteran, who has retired from active duty. He now
works as the JROTC instructor for the local high school.
TTW ask the students to select one or two of the questions from their
group’s lists.
TSW interview MSG Washington as the recorder from their group writes
down his answers.
TSW thank MSG Washington for his time.
TTW instruct the students to compile all information and discuss their
answers.
TTW will instruct the students to return to their seats.
Guided Practice/Monitoring:
TTW instruct the students to take out their three words that they used to
write about a veteran at the beginning of the lesson.
TTW ask if they feel that that their description was accurate.
TTW will explain that an acrostic poem is a poem that is a number of lines
of writing, especially a poem or word puzzle, in which a combination of
letters from each line spells a word or phrase.
TTW will give an example using the word reading.
o For example: Riveting
Entertaining
Awesome
Dynamic
Interesting
Nifty
Great
TSW begin to work on the rough draft of their poems.
TTW will monitor the students as they write their poem.
TSW will ask for assistance
TSW complete the draft and revisions of poem in class of their acrostic
poem in class.
Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set):
TTW ask the students if they know what it means to be a Veteran.
TTW read Veteran’s Day by Jacqueline S. Cotton
TTW discuss the way in which their interview questions helped them to
better understand what it means to be a veteran.
TTW tell the students that they will complete the revisions of their Acrostic
for homework.
TTW inform the students to bring in the revised copies the following day.
TTW will review the acrostic poem that she wrote with the class and ask the
students if they have any questions.
TSW use their weekly computer time to create Veteran’s Day acrostic Poem
PowerPoint.
TSW will work in groups and chose the best words for each letter from the
words used by each individual group members.
TTW load a standard template for the poem onto the computer using her
flash drive.
TSW will add words and pictures to the template, and put all names of group
members on title slide.
TTW allow each group to share their creation with the class using the Elmo
Projector.
Assessment Based on Objectives:
The students will be able to compose an acrostic Veteran’s Day poem with
80% accuracy.
The students will be able to type and transfer their poem to a PowerPoint
document with 80% accuracy.
The students will add a personalized words and design to the PowerPoint
with 80% accuracy.
Adaptations (For Students With Special Needs):
Erick is an ELL student. He has problems with spelling words correctly. I will
work with him to correct any misspelled words or grammar mistakes.
Extensions (For Advanced Students):
Shanaiya is advanced. She will also be allowed to research veterans on the internet
and write brief essay to share with the class.
Possible Connections to Other Subjects:
Technology- design a PowerPoint
Social Studies- Holiday celebrations
Reflection: The students were excited to work in groups and have individual jobs
to perform. The students were interested to learn more about veterans in our
community. The students worked well in their cooperative groups. I was very
proud of their efforts. The words that they came up with were very appropriate, but
I questioned some of their choices. I wanted to let them have more creative control
over their work. I feel that they truly enjoyed the experience, and they chose
wonderful pictures to accompany the words.
Veterans Day
By Cheryl Dyson
On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
We’re proud of all the soldiers who,
Kept thinking of red, white and blue.
They fought for us and all our rights,
They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.
http://www.amazon.com/Veterans-Day-Rookie-Read-About-
Holidays/dp/0516274996#reader_0516274996