CEClang.59


TITLE:    ZOO   ANIMAL  POETRY

AUTHOR:   Susan W. Hixson,  Carminati Elementary,
          Tempe, Az.

GRADE LEVEL:   Appropriate for K-3.

OVERVIEW:  Many classes plan trips to the zoo to see
the animals.  Classes may study the animals in books
and read many stories, or write original stories, but
to really bring the facts alive using a video camera
and poetry is very  powerful.  This activity was
formulated to bring the animals into the classroom and
the homes of the students.

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1.   Carefully observe and remember details about
     the animals at the zoo.
2.   Work cooperatively in groups.
3.   List at least 5 facts about each of the animals
     they saw at the zoo.  These facts can be
     characteristics of actions or physical
     appearance.
4.   Follow the form of the given poem and complete
     each of the lines using  facts they have learned.
5.   Write a poem and read it chorally before the video
     camera.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Teacher materials:  video camera, chart paper, marker
dubbing machine.

Student materials:  paper, pencils

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Plan and take an exciting trip to the zoo after
     reading books and having many discussions about
     zoo animals.  Be sure to point out that students
     are to look for details and facts about the
     animals they see.   Following the  trip, students
     are  asked to share the  facts they noticed about
     the animals.
2.   During the trip to the zoo, the teacher or a
     volunteer will video tape the animals .  (Be sure
     to take long shots of each of the animals you
     want, at least 30 seconds on each animal.  This
     will be important later as you voice over on the
     tape with the poetry performed by the students.)
3.   After the trip, the teacher brainstorms with the
     students some facts about one of the animals
     she/he saw at the zoo.  She models by writing
     these facts and descriptions on a chart in front
     of the class.  (Tiger, huge cat, gold and black,
     loud roar, large padded feet, rubbing up against a
     lonely tree,  prowling around habitat.)

     Next,the class is divided into cooperative
     groups and each group selects one of the animals
     which were filmed at the zoo.  The entire class
     watches the tape and each group is careful to
     focus on the animal  they are going to write
     about.
4.   The entire group helps the teacher fill in the
     blanks of a poetry form.

     Tiger!
     You have a roar like thunder.
     You are fuzzy, gold, and black.
     You roam around on padded feet.
     You scratch your back on a lonely tree.
     You are the biggest cat I have ever seen.
     You are my favorite zoo animal because you look
        so lovable.
     Tiger!

     The class is taking facts and fitting them into
     the form, this pattern can be used to review facts
     about any topic.
5.   Now in cooperative groups, the students brainstorm
     facts about the animal they have chosen.  One of
     the students is the scribe and makes a list of the
     ideas.  After all the facts are listed, the most
     descriptive details are selected or modified and
     put into the poetry pattern.

     (Name of Animal)
     You ______________
     You ______________
     You ______________
     You ______________
     You ______________
     You are my favorite zoo animal because you
        __________.
     (Name of Animal)

6.   Each group practices reading their poem aloud and
     then they take turns reading it for the teacher as
     they are being video taped. The voices of the
     children will then be copied over the video of the
     animals.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  The completed product will  be
a delight to hear and see as the poetry describes the
animals.  Copies of the tape can be made and  checked
out by students to share with their parents at home.
Poems written by the student groups are also perfect to
place on a bulletin board or in a big book for others
to read, illustrate, and enjoy throughout the year.