Language Arts Activities

Activity 1: Interpreting a Poem

Purpose:
The students will read and interpret a poem.  The students will express themselves creatively through art and movement.
 

• Paper
• Markers
• "Windy Nights"by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Other poems about weather may be used.

Procedure:
 1. Read the poem "Windy Nights".
 2.  Discuss the poem.

• Who does the man in the poem represent?
• How does the poem "Windy Nights" make you feel?
• What experiences with storms have you had?
• Imagine that you are the thunder.  Where would you like to be at this moment?

  3.  Draw a picture illustrating this poem.  Share your picture
       with the class.
  4.  Students can use movement to express how the poem
        makes them feel.
 
 
 

Activity 2:  Creating a List Poem
 

The purpose of this activity is to create a list poem that reflects the knowledge gained by completing the social studies activities.

• Paper 
• Pencil 
• City Data Collection Sheet 
• "New Jersey" list poem 
• Other examples of list poems

1. Teacher will explain a list poem.  The list poem (also called"catalog poem") is a very old form of poetry.  It consists of an itemization of things or events.  List poems can be of any length, rhymed or unrhymed.
2. Students will assemble in their social studies groups.
3. Students will use the City Data Collection Sheet to compose a list poem.  Each student should contribute three lines describing his/her city.
4. Students will share their completed poems with the class.
5. If you have a large wall map of the United States, let the students stand in front of it as they read their list poems.

 

 
 
 

Activity 3:

Letter Writing (This activity should be done in conjunction with the Social Studies Activity 1.)
 

Students will  learn the basics of a business letter and compose one.

• Paper
• Pencil
• Computer

1. Review the business letter.
2. Each student will write a business letter to one of the following agencies (Switchboard.com & Whitepages.com) for information about his/her city:
•  Motor Vehicle Agency
•  Automobile Association (AAA)
•  Chamber of Commerce 
•  Mayor of city 
•  State travel and tourism department
3.  The students will share the information as the responses    arrive.
4.   Responses will be posted on a bulletin board.