Poetry Practice & April Currently

Spring showers bring April poems! We are two weeks into our poetry unit and this week's mini lessons include Using a Mentor Text and Choosing a Mentor Text. I got us started with this book of shape poems:

After reading two poems yesterday, we created this anchor chart to refer back to during Daily 5: Work on Writing.

I quickly sketched two flowers and the kiddies volunteered the poetry. Don't worry, I didn't make them sit there while I took the time to color it :-) At the Work on Writing Center, I left theme poem outlines from ReadWriteThink.  

I printed blank shapes. My firsties practiced both of the styles of shape poems from the anchor chart. One on the front and one on the back. 

First, students wrote inside the shape. Then, they flipped the work sheet over and wrote around the shape. The shape outline could be seen through the paper. 

Today we read some poems from our mentor text that showed a shape poem as part of a larger picture. We used die cut shapes to get us started. I chose a blue cowboy hat for our anchor chart and, once again, the kiddos contributed the words to our poem. Then I sketched a cowboy riding a horse. This is the finished chart:

When the kids went to Work on Writing they chose a die cut shape and got to work. Most of the boys chose wolves and the girls chose puppies. Are you surprised?

The blue bars are covering up the student's name. 

Then, we actually found time for the Share Chair. 

The last two days have been exhausting. Due to state testing we did not get recess or specials. The kids were in the same room for every single minute of the day, except lunch. But we made it. Tomorrow we get recess back, unless it rains. I think it's gonna rain :-(

And now for this month's CURRENTLY. 

Listening - Yep, you read it right. Can you believe this curly haired girl is all about the rangers??

The rangers fan is the older one. You know it's spring when the ice cream truck cometh! You know your four old is silly when she makes an ice cream mustache just for giggles. 

Loving - Vowel Diphthongs Packet

Thinking - Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser is coming to Houston. Can't hurt to get a little attitude adjustment when it comes to fitness. I'm slacking.

I think the rest is self explanatory.

Until next time...