Unit Lesson Plan #2

Subject: Language Arts

Dates: April 1st-April 5th

Unit Name: Super Special Silverstein

Summary of Unit: This unit is based around the author Shel Silverstein and his various pieces

of writing.

Standards:

English Language Arts:

 W.2.6 With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to
produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

 RL.2.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories
and poetry, in the grades 2–3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding
as needed at the high end of the range. Activate prior knowledge and draw on
previous experiences in order to make text-to-self or text-to-text connections and
comparisons.

 SL.2.5 Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual
displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas,
thoughts, and feelings.

Objectives:

 Read and comprehend poems by Shel Silverstein

 Write a small biography about Shel Silverstein
 Write and edit original poem of choice

Materials:

 Books: The Giving Tree, Every Thing On It, A Light in the Attic, Runny Babbit, Where
the Sidewalk Ends, A Giraffe and a Half
 OUCH! Activity: Band-Aids, Construction paper, Markers
  Shel Silverstein What I Think I Know vs What I Learned: Giant Paper, Markers
 Dress Like A Poet: Cut-out beards, Scissors
 Chromebook for Online

Resources:

 Online Resources: Kahoot!, Google Classroom, Brainpop, YouTube.com,

http://www.shelsilverstein.com/books/#animations
 Technology: Chromebooks, Document Camera

Lesson Title #1: Introduction to Shel Silverstein (What I Think I Know vs What I learned and
Read Aloud: The Giving Tree, plus Biography Research)

Time: throughout day

Lesson Title #2: Poem Look and Write- different types of poems

Time: throughout day

Lesson Title #3: OUCH! Poem Write and Reading of Silverstein Poems and Poem Costumes

Time: throughout day

Lesson Title #4: Poem Party and Poem Share

Time: After lunch/recess

Lesson Title #5: Read Aloud and Wrap Up: A Giraffe and a Half (look at Shel Silverstein
website)

Time: Morning- guided writing Afternoon- Present scripts/play

Assignment and Activities:

  Shel Silverstein What I Think I Know vs What I Learned Chart

 Read Alouds

 Poem Write

 Poem Read and Poem Watch http://www.shelsilverstein.com/books/#animations

 OUCH! Poem Write http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com/2012/04/ouch.html

 Class Poem Books

Assessments:

 Writing mini biography on Shel Silverstein

 Written Poems (OUCH! Poem and Individual Poems for Class Poem Book)

 What I think I know vs What I Learned about Shel Silverstein Poster

Reflection: This unit was an author study over Shel Silverstein, his life, his style of story-telling
and poetry. During this week, the students wrote biographies, their own poems, and guided poem
write based on Shel Silverstein’s poems “Band-Aids” and “Sick.”
The students really enjoyed the author study and they liked listening to read-alouds such
as “The Giving Tree” and “A Giraffe and a Half.” This unit ended with a “Shelebration” in
which the students figured out the mathematical aspects for (see Math Unit); they were both
happening simultaneously and it end-capped with a party on Thursday. The students also wrote a
reflective writing on Friday summarizing what they felt went well in the process and what could
have went better.
One thing that I would change for next time is the directions for the hat-making. It was
possibly worded in a confusing manor, but the students felt they did not need to read them.
Another aspect that could have been different was our Shel Biographies. I gave them limited
research and it was up to them to find more aspects about his life. Next time, I will present them
with more specific details about his life.
Overall the party was great, and the student’s poetry was awesome. Having guided poetry
groups was very successful and it helped me teach guided writing a little better.