Teacher Instructions & Lesson Resources :
Pre-step…before sharing the published model: Before sharing the songs “Grey Street” by the Dave Matthews Band and “Blu is a Mood” by Blu Cantrell, begin the discussion of colors by asking students what their favorite colors are and why. Do these colors make them feel a certain way when they wear or see them? Jot some of their ideas down on the board or overhead. Next, share some of the incredibly interesting information on color from one of these websites with your students:
 Both websites have interesting facts on different aspects of color and how they can affect moods.
Another great way to begin (or continue!) the discussion about color, is to share the book My Many Colored Days, by Dr. Seuss. This is an adorable book that shows how different colors affect the many moods of a gingerbread shaped character. ("On Purple Days/ I'm sad./ I groan./ I drag my tail./ I walk alone”)
Students of all ages will be able to relate to this book and the way the colors and moods are described by Seuss. Click here to see WritingFix's poetry assignment that uses this book.
Step one…sharing the published model: Put The Dave Matthew’s Band’s song lyrics on the overhead; use the Google link above (just below the picture of the album cover) to find a set to print on a transparency.
Read through the song with your students as you listen to it on your classroom I-Pod. You may also want to point out the fact that this is a free verse poem/song and the words do not rhyme. Explain to students that free verse poetry is a fun form of poetry because it is mostly patterned after speec h and images. Another great thing about free verse poetry is that you have the freedom to use sound effects and shortened lines whenever you feel, without worrying about getting your words to rhyme! You will also need to point out that the song’s lyrics match up a place with a color that reflects the moods and feelings associated with that place.
Comparison/Contrast Idea: You also may wish to compare the lyrics of “Grey Street” with the lyrics of “Blu is a Mood” by Blu Cantrell. Blu Cantrell’s song does not relate color to a setting, but rather describes all that the color blue can be in a very poetic way. Click here to visit WritingFix's collection of Comparison & Contrast Resources.
Step two…introducing student models of writing: To give them an idea of the writing assignment at hand, in small groups, have your students read and respond to any or all of the student models that come with this lesson. The groups should certainly talk about the idea development and word choice, since these are the focus of the lesson.
Step three…thinking and pre-writing: Now it is time to pass out the graphic organizer for this assignment. Have the students brainstorm two or three of their favorite ideas for each section of the graphic organizer (Colors, Moods and Places) to get warmed up for their own writing.
Next, they will pick their favorite one from each column to write about. (They may also need access to a thesaurus to help them come up with different shades of the color they choose.)
Once the class has their graphic organizers completed, take a few minutes to have the students share their ideas with one another before beginning their free-verse poem.
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