GUIDED READING POETRY: Shell Silverstein - The Romance, Lesson Plans, Resources, Answer Key

This product has been developed as part of a week long Guided Reading Unit using the poem:

"The Romance" by Shel Silverstein (not included in the resource but readily available)

In the poem, the poet describes how two animals decide to get married as their names do not rhyme with any other animal - in the end, having got married, the Pelican and Elephant have a baby Pelicant - proving a happy ending for all.

We have put together our 5 detailed lesson plans which include notes on how to introduce the poem using a You Tube clip of the poem - the link is included in the teaching plans, before reading it yourself. The students therefore hear a professional recital of the poem and understand how fluency, pace and expression should be used.

Included in this product:

• 5 day, detailed lesson plan identifying how to teach the reading of the poem and links with specific resources included and when/how to use them.
• 4 photocopiable resources for the class to use
• Answer Key for each activity where it is needed (one activity is student response to imagery where they share how they respond to specific vocabulary within the poem, therefore no answer key is provided for this activity).

Over the five lessons, the development of the reading of the poem is clear:

Day 1: Hear the poem for the first time, read it aloud together, trying to keep together

Day 2: Continue to practice the poem, adding in expression for the different voices of the two animals and poet within the poem

Day 3: Develop a chorus and split the group into the three roles of elephant, pelican and poet

Day 4: Group chorus to be developed further and individual students try to read the poem individually using three distinct voices for the main characters

Day 5: Having written their own version of The Romance, to practice, refine and read their own poem to the class.

Each day, not only do the students learn how to read, recite and perform poetry through a range of activities, but they get to know the poem in greater depth by completing 4 activities:

• Activity 1: Word search of key vocabulary included in the poem
• Activity 2: Rhyming words, rhyme scheme and comprehension questions
• Activity 3: Rhythm of the lines using syllables, making new animal names, comprehension
• Activity 4: Create your own "Romance" poem, putting all the skills learnt during the sessions.

Each activity has its' own answer key, and can form part of the lesson, as it dictated in the lesson plan, or can be provided as a home based activity, early morning activity, early finisher, or Literacy Center activity.

This plan will easily cover a weeks worth of Guided Reading sessions, and by the end of the week, the children will have learnt the poem off by heart - so why not celebrate by performing it to an audience? Students will know this poem well by the end of the unit and have delved deeply into the meanings, the contrasts, the use of vocabulary, imagery, structure and also, enjoyed the poem too!

Best wishes

INSPIReducation