This article presents three activities to effectively use Cinquain poetry in order to stimulate student learning. The three activities are 1) Cinquain Poetry Read and Share, a whole group activity, 2) Cinquain Poetry Read and Present, a small group activity, and 3) Cinquain Poetry Read and Write, an individual activity. Each of these activities is designed to generate student engagement, which in-turn will stimulate student learning. After the activities are completed, the teacher can use the information that she gathers in order to transition to the core topic of the curriculum instruction.
Cinquain Poetry Read and Share. This is a whole group activity. The teacher reads a Cinquain poem that she selects. The selected Cinquain poem should allow the teacher to use it as a lead in to her core topic of the curriculum instruction.
Teacher Preparation
The teacher selects a Cinquain poem that may or may not be a direct link to the desired student learning. Of course a direct link is always easier for the teacher; however, a lot of school subjects are not immediate student attention grabbers. As a result, grabbing a student’s attention by way of a lead-in, Cinquain poem, will make the student learning more fun and interesting.
After selecting the poem, the teacher should read through the poem a few times in order to solidify in her mind; how she hopes to use the Cinquain poem in order to spur her students’ interest in the core topic of the curriculum instruction.
Guided Student Learning
Step 1: Teacher reads the Cinquain poem to the students. Depending on the Cinquain poem selected, it may be necessary to give background information on the Cinquain’s context. The teacher should read the poem from one to three times.
Step 2: The teacher then asks the students to think about what the poem says. Next, she asks the students to think about any situations they have encountered in their lives that are similar to that of the Cinquain poem.
Step 3: Next, the teacher leads the whole group in discussion. She talks about the Cinquain poem with the students. She uses things that the students brought out along with guided questioning; in order to allow that interest to carry over to the core topic of the curriculum instruction.
Cinquain Poetry Read and Present. This is a small group activity. Students will work with a Cinquain poem while they are in small groups. The activity culminates with students making presentations to the whole group.
Teacher Preparation
The teacher has two possible choices when selecting the Cinquain poems for use in this activity. She can select the same Cinquain poem for each group, or select a different Cinquain poem for each group. The same Cinquain poem will focus students on the same general area; even though presentations will be different. The selection of different Cinquain poems will allow for variety of presentations and points of view from the students. In the end, it all depends on what focus the teacher wants to achieve in the student learning process.
Guided Student Learning
Step 1: Teacher groups students into groups of 2 to 5 students.
Step 2: Teacher gives a different Cinquain poem to each group.
Step 3: Teacher instructs students to:
a. Read their group’s Cinquain poem.
b. Discuss what their Cinquain poem means to them.
c. Decide on how their group will present their Cinquain poem to the whole group. It is important for the teacher to set any limits on presentations at this time.
Step 4: Teacher brings all groups together in order to meet as a whole group.
Step 5: Teacher asks each group to present. During presentations the teacher makes brief notes of things that are presented. These notes can be used to relate with students when transitioning to the core topic of the curriculum instruction.
Cinquain Poetry Read and Write. This is an individual student assignment. The teacher will assign a Cinquain poem to each student. Students will then write about the Cinquain poem.
Teacher Preparation
The teacher selects Cinquain poems for this activity. The Cinquain poems that the teacher selects may be the same for each student or they may be different for each student. As mentioned previously, this decision will depend on what the teacher is trying to accomplish in the student learning.
Guided Student Learning
Step 1: Teacher gives each student a Cinquain poem.
Step 2: Teacher asks students to read the Cinquain poem through 3 times.
a. First read, students get a feel for the words in the Cinquain poem.
b. Second read, students think about what the Cinquain poem is saying.
c. Third read, students think about any experiences that have occurred in their life that relate to their Cinquain poem.
Step 3: Teacher asks students to write a paper about either their own experiences or what they think the Cinquain poem is saying. Of course their own experience will usually be the most meaningful; however, all students may not have a particular experience in mind.
In conclusion, three ways to effectively use Cinquain poetry have been presented. These activities can be used to engage students in the learning process, and thereby stimulate student learning. In addition, the activities address whole group, small group, and individual student learning.
Copyright 2013
