This Lesson's Title:

Poems about Pets

creating a poem about an animal's secret, unknown life

This original writing lesson was created by NNWP Teacher Consultant Regan Ringler Hartzell.

This on-line writing prompt is based on the poetry of Thomas Stearns (T.S.) Eliot. Before writing to this assignment, students should hear and discuss the poetry of this great poet.

Click here to learn more about this poet.

If you are a Washoe County teacher, click here to view the collection of works by this poet that you can check out from the county library.

Three-Sentence Overview of this Lesson:

T.S. Eliot’s book. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was the inspiration for the popular musical CATS, which has been performed all over the world. Using two of the lesser known poems from the book, children will write poems about an animal of their own with help from the teacher. Students will also explore alliteration and rhyming by listening to poems and trying to write their own poem. Teachers: click here to read the entire lesson plan.

6-Trait Overview for this Lesson:

The focus trait in this writing assignment is word choice; writers will play with words to find words that best fit a rhyming or alliterative poetic style.  The support trait in this assignment is voice; asking students to use alliteration and rhyme that is subtle is an excellent exercise for learning about poetic voice.