Grade 5 Unit 5: Elements of Poetry

Grade 5 Unit 5: Elements of Poetry

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Objectives 2

Lesson 1: Elements of a Poem 3 Warm-up! 3 Learn About It! 3 Check Your Understanding 7 Let’s Step Up! 7

Lesson 2: Figurative Language 8 Warm-up! 8 Learn About It! 8 Check Your Understanding 12 Let’s Step Up! 12

Performance Task 13

Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn? 15

Wrap Up 15

Bibliography 16

GRADE 5 |English

UNIT 5

Elements of Poetry You have most likely read quite a number of poems. Works like these have carefully chosen words that are arranged in order to convey emotions or paint a vivid picture in the readers’ minds. But aside from words in poems, there are also other elements that set poetry apart from other works of literature.

Objectives

In this unit, you should be able to: ● analyze a two-stanza poem in terms of its elements (rhymes, sound devices,

imagery, and figurative language); and ● analyze figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole) in a given

text.

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Lesson 1: Elements of a Poem

Roses are red

Violets are blue Sugar is sweet And so are you

You are probably already very familiar with this age-old piece. When some people think of poetry, something like the given text probably comes to mind. This is because poetry has certain characteristics and elements that make it distinct from other works of writing.

Warm-up!

Quick-Writes Complete this: A poem is . . . You have a minute to think about your answer, then write it down on a piece of paper. Afterward, partner up with a seatmate and share what you have written and discuss your responses.

Learn About It!

A poem is a carefully written work that aims to incite the readers' emotions and awareness. Its elements of form, sound, imagery, and figurative language are all carefully thought about to achieve the intended effect. The form is the pattern, structure, or rules of poetry. It refers to a specific number or count of syllables for each line and a specific number of lines for each


stanza. In this lesson, we will focus only on the language aspect of the poem, namely its sound, imagery, and figurative language. Let’s take a look at each of them. Literary Devices and Techniques Literary devices and techniques are universal structures that authors use to give meaning and form to their writing to create pieces full of emotions. They allow the author to embed more than one meaning in a line. These allow the readers to stretch their thoughts beyond what is in plain words. Sound Devices They are literary devices that reinforce the poem's meaning. Sound devices aim to appeal to the readers’ sense of hearing. Below are some of the sound devices commonly used in poetry.

Onomatopoeia refers to the use of words that imitate the sound of the thing they represent.

Examples:

The cashier opened the cash register, and it went ka-ching! The cats meowed, and the dogs barked for hours last night.

Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the beginning sounds of neighboring words are the same or similar. Examples:

Kind kittens knitting mittens keep kicking yarns in the king's kitchen. May made that marvelous mozzarella pizza.


Assonance is the repetition of similar vowel sounds in a sentence or a line of poetry, which creates a pleasing effect by giving the poem some internal rhyme.

Examples:

I went here and there and everywhere, yet you were nowhere to be found. Maxine’s handbag had huge dandelions and daffodils on it.

Rhyme Rhyme refers to the repetition of sounds at the end of lines. Authors use rhymes to achieve rhythm and beat even without melody.

Example:

Life is a piece of cake, Good balance is a must; Just mix them well and bake, In its right timing trust.

Cake, which is the last word of the first line, rhymes with bake, which is the last word of the third line. Likewise, must, which is the last word of the second line, rhymes with trust, which is the last word of the fourth line. A rhyme is one of the qualities that differentiates poetry from other types of literature, and some poems follow a particular rhyme scheme or a pattern of rhymes. Letters are used to indicate the rhyme scheme in a poem. However, not all poems have rhymes. Those that do not are called free verse poetry.


Example:

When you make a mistake, do not worry (A) Just learn how to say sorry (A) That is my advice (B) Just try your best to be nice (B)

The words worry and sorry are rhyming words, and the words advice and nice rhyme as well. The lines above form the rhyme scheme AABB. Imagery The author may also use imagery to create a vivid picture in the readers’ minds. In creating imagery, the author appeals to the readers’ senses: sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste. Examples:

It was so dark and gloomy that it was impossible to see anyone who’s hiding in the shadows. He jumped at the sound of someone pounding on his door. The aroma of brewed coffee, pancakes, and fried bacon was enough to get Christopher out of bed.


Check Your Understanding

1. Name the three sound devices that are commonly used in poems. 2. ___________ bring musicality to poems. 3. The text below makes use of ___________.

Sarah celebrates her success in sales. 4. Words such as tweet, zoom, and sigh are considered ___________. 5. ___________ creates a picture in the mind of readers.

Let’s Step Up!


Lesson 2: Figurative Language

There are times when you probably find yourself saying something that you do not mean for others to take literally. During those times, what you are using is figurative language. This kind of language is also commonly used in works of literature.

Warm-up! Think-Pair-Share What do you think the speaker/writer means by saying “My best friend is so much like a turtle”? Think about it for a minute, then partner up with a seatmate and share your thoughts about it.

Learn About It!

Figurative language, also known as figure of speech, is the use of words or phrases that are not supposed to be taken literally. Think of figurative language as something that you need to figure out or take into context when you hear it. It may be a little confusing at times because most figurative language says something but mean something else. You will learn that using figurative language in your everyday speech makes words more interesting.


Before we dive into these figures of speech, let’s take a look at the difference between the words literal and figurative. The literal meaning is the usual meaning of the words put together. When your mother asks you to bring home the bacon that you bought from a store, in the literal sense, she means the strips of pork belly that can be bought from a store. However, when you hear her commending your older sister for bringing home the bacon and helping out in shouldering household expenses, she means differently. Her expression is in the figurative sense. The following are some common figures of speech. Simile Simile uses the words as or like to draw similarities or explicitly compare two different objects. Often, it points out the quality of one thing and attributes it to another. Examples:

Carlo was as quiet as a mouse when he sneaked out of the house at midnight. He was as big as an elephant. Jane moved like a turtle, slow but steady and purposeful.

Metaphor Metaphor is a figure of speech that also compares two things. Unlike similes, however, metaphors do not use words such as like or as. Rather, it implies a comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things by saying that one of them is the other.


Examples:

The job offer was her ticket out of the country. He insisted on keeping and using his cell phone even if it was an old dinosaur.

Both similes and metaphors are used to show a comparison between two unlike objects. While a simile tells us the direct similarity of two things, a metaphor needs a bit more reflection or analysis. To get a better sense whether an expression is a simile or a metaphor, take a look at the examples below.

Simile: He grumbles like a bear in the morning. Metaphor: He is a bear in the morning. Simile: She swims like a fish. Metaphor: She is a fish.

Personification When using this figure of speech, the writer gives an animal or a nonliving object one or more human attributes. Examples:

The wind kissed her cheek and played with her hair. The dogs yelled their secrets to the moon.


Hyperbole Hyperboles are extremely exaggerated descriptions. The author makes something seem much more intense than it is. So you should always remember that hyperboles should not be taken literally. Examples:

It rained for a thousand years. I’m so hungry that I could eat a whole cow.


Check Your Understanding

1. Enumerate the four figures of speech commonly used in works of literature. 2. What figure of speech makes use of extreme exaggeration? 3. Of the two, which one is easier to figure out: simile or metaphor? 4. Of the two, which compares one thing to another by directly stating that it is that thing? 5. When using personification, what does an author do?

Let’s Step Up!


Performance Task

Goal: Your task is to write a poem that makes use of at least three elements of poetry and three figures of speech. Role: You are a poet, and you are going to present your own poem at a poetry event in your school. Audience: The target audience includes your classmates and teachers. Situation: The challenge involves coming up with a poem that would stir the emotions of listeners. Product/Performance and Purpose: You will create a poem using the following guidelines:

1. Choose a topic that your poem will be about. 2. Your poem should have at least three elements of poetry and three figures

of speech. 3. The poem should have at least three stanzas, and each stanza should have

at least four lines. 4. Deliver the poem with confidence and appropriate emotion.

Standards and criteria for success: Your work will be judged based on the following rubric:

Criteria Beginning (0-12 points)

Developing (13-16 points)

Accomplished (17-20 points)

Score

Content

Three or more ideas in the work seem unrelated to the topic.

One or two ideas in the work seem unrelated to the topic.

All the ideas in the work are clearly related to the topic.

Organization

The ideas are not logically

There are some ideas

Ideas are logically


presented. The connections between ideas are unclear.

that are not organized well. The transitions between ideas are unclear at times.

organized and presented. The connections between ideas are clear.

Language

There are four or more words that may be difficult for the audience to understand.

There are two to three words that may be difficult for the audience to understand.

The words used are easily understood and are appropriate for the audience.

Use of elements of poetry and figures of speech

The poem is lacking two more elements of poetry or figures of speech.

The poem is lacking one more element of poetry or figure of speech.

At least three elements of poetry and three figures of speech are used.

Number of stanzas and lines

The poem is lacking two or more stanzas or lines.

The poem is lacking a stanza or a line.

At least three stanzas, each with four lines, are used.

Stage Presence The poem is not delivered with appropriate gestures and emotions, and the speaker lacks confidence.

The poem is delivered with appropriate gestures and emotions, but the speaker showed hesitation in some parts.

The whole poem is delivered with appropriate gestures and emotions, and the speaker showed complete confidence.

TOTAL SCORE


Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?

Do a self-check on how well you learned the lessons in this unit. Place a checkmark in the appropriate box.

Skills I think I need more

practice and assistance

I am familiar and can perform well

with minimal assistance

I am confident that I can perform this on

my own

I can analyze a two-stanza poem in terms of its elements (rhymes, sound devices, imagery, and figurative language).

I can analyze figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole) in a given text.

Wrap Up

Elements of Poetry A poem is a carefully written work that aims to incite the readers' emotions and awareness. Its elements of form, sound, imagery, and figurative language are all carefully thought about to achieve the intended effect. Some of the sound devices that are commonly used in poems include onomatopoeia, alliteration, and assonance.


Rhyme refers to the repetition of sounds at the end of lines. Imagery refers to the practice of using words that create a vivid picture in readers’ minds. Figurative language, also known as figures of speech, is the use of words or phrases that are not supposed to be taken literally. Common figures of speech include simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole.

Bibliography

Cavanaugh, Terence W. 2015. eBooks for Elementary School. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries

Unlimited.

English and Grammar Grade 6. 2015. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC.

Marks, Arlene F. 2014. Enjoying Literature. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Simple Steps for Fifth Grade. 2016. Greensboro, NC: Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC.

Spectrum Language Arts Grade 7. 2015. Greensboro, NC: Spectrum.

Spectrum Test Prep Grade 5. 2015. Greensboro, NC: Spectrum.

Stefoff, Rebecca. 2017. How Is a Simile Similar to a Metaphor? North Mankato, MN:

Capstone Press.


Documents

Grade 5 Unit 5: Elements of Poetry