3rd–5th Grade

	Objectives Reading: Literature Reading and comprehending grade-appropriate literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry Writing Writing an acrostic poem
	Materials Needed Animal Acrostics by David Hummon or Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur My Winter Acrostic template Winter Acrostic Organizer template Dark-blue construction paper - 9" x 12" Crayons or colored pencils Pencil Chalk or write & wipe marker Chalkboard or write & wipe board
	Introduction Hold up the book Animal Acrostics by David Hummon or Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur. Then explain that the first letter of each line in an acrostic poem spells out a “topic” word that ties all the lines of the poem together. (It’s helpful to demonstrate the concept on a chalkboard or write & wipe board.) Read a few examples from the book and show students how acrostic poems are arranged on a page. (You may want to reproduce one on the board or a large poster so students can refer to it throughout the lesson.)
	Procedure Demonstrate an acrostic poem by writing the word “CLASS” down the left-hand margin of the board. Then, as you fill in each line as follows, remind students that each word or phrase revolves around the topic word: Children working together Learning, reading and discovering Always curious Solving problems Searching for answers Tell students that they are going to create their own acrostic poems using the topic word “WINTER.” Provide each student with a copy of the Winter Acrostic Organizer template and have them use the organizer to brainstorm words and phrases that begin with each letter of “WINTER.”
	Guided/Independent Practice Provide each student with a copy of the My Winter Acrostic template and encourage them to select their best ideas from their Winter Acrostic Organizers to create their acrostic poems. (For example, they could write “Winter snow” for W.) Have them share a few of their ideas to see if they’re on the right track before encouraging them to work independently. As students work independently, walk around the room and check on their progress, offering help as needed. Have students color the letters W, I, N, T, E and R. Back the finished poems with 9" x 12" dark-blue construction paper and display them on a bulletin board under the title “Winter Is…,” or simply staple the poems together to make a class book.
	the 3rd–5th grade lesson plan. (Includes all printable materials.)