Online Writing Lessons K-2

4 Online Lessons on www.ReadWriteThink.org

A Bear of a Poem: Composing and Performing Found Poetry (K-2)

Using familiar childhood stories, students will work together to create a poem that is “found” in the language presented in the picture books they read. Children will look in texts for writing that inspires them—looking for favorite words, phrases, and sentences. Working together, students will combine their words and phrases to create a class poem. When complete, the new piece will be shared as performance poetry.

As Slippery as an Eel: An Ocean Unit Exploring Simile and Metaphor (K-2)

After reading ocean-themed books, students examine the ways that the books use simile and metaphor, creating their own names and definitions of these figures of speech. Using the picture books as framing texts, students then revise a piece of their own writing, to increase its use of figurative language.

Completing the Circle: The Craft of Circular Plot Structure (K-2)

After exploring the organizing structure and writer’s craft of picture books, students identify, explore and apply the elements of circle plot structures to their own stories. Students use graphic organizers, read and write stories, and use checklists to assess their work.

Ferocious Fighting Fish: An Ocean Unit Exploring Beginning Word Sounds (K-2)

Focus students’ attention on alliteration, or repeated beginning word sounds, in this unit which explores an ocean theme. Students explore alliteration in framing texts then compose their own class book to explore figurative language in their own writing. The lesson includes a revision worksheet to apply the technique to another piece of writing.