Choral Poetry Lesson Plan

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Student Objectives
Write a choral poem
Experiment with different types of choral reading
Understand and apply expression, fuency, and rhythm in writing and reading poetry
Introduce the Poetry
Choral poetry evolved in ancient Greece from lyric poetry (poetry written to music). It was
originally performed with musical accompaniment at religious festivals and important family
functions. Traditional choral poetry was performed by two groups of people who worked as a
team to design, write, and musically perform an expressive poem. Modern choral poetry can be
written to express feelings, opinions, points of view, and so on. The poems are generally short and
designed to be read aloud by two or more people in a group setting. Additionally, choral poetry
can be adapted and performed using existing poetry and stories (in the public domain), such as
select fables and nursery rhymes.
Teach the Poetry
Write examples of poems that can be read in the choral format on the board or overhead
projector, or hand out a copy of the samples page.
Three Little Kittens
Three little kittens Student 1
They lost their mittens,
And they began to cry.
So sad. Narrator
Oh, mother dear, Student 2
We sadly fear,
Our mittens we have lost.
So bad. Narrator
What? Lost your mittens, Student 3
You naughty kittens!
Now, you shall have no pie.
So mad. Narrator
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb, Entire Class
Its feece was white as snow; Student 1
And everywhere that Mary went Entire Class
The lamb was sure to go. Student 1
It followed her to school one day, Entire Class
Which was against the rules; Student 2
It made the children laugh and play Entire Class
To see a lamb at school. Student 2
And so the teacher turned it out, Entire Class
But still it lingered near; Student 3
And waited patiently about Entire Class
Till Mary did appear. Student 3
Why does the lamb love Mary so? Entire Class
The eager children cry; Entire Class
Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know, Teacher
The teacher did reply.
Level: Intermediate (grades 36)
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Choral Poetry Lesson Plan (continued)
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Engage students in a conversation about the many ways to read choral poetry. Use the
examples provided to experiment with different ways of reading Mary Had a Little Lamb
and Three Little Kittens (Mix and match choral reading formats according to your class size,
student ability, and so on.) Formats to consider, include:
In unison: The teacher and the class read the poem together.
With an echo: One person reads a line or phrase and the group repeats (echoes) it.
In groups: Two or more groups take turns reading different parts of the poem.
One line per reader: Each reader is given a line or two to read.
Adding on: One person or group starts reading, and another person or group joins
in with each new line or section.
Explain that in Three Little Kittens, the poet added a narrators voice to the poem. Ask
students why the author might have done this (to express the mood in each section of the
poem (sad, bad, mad). Explain that in choral poetry it is okay to modify the original poem if
it adds to the poems meaning, provides a different point of view, or makes the poem easier
to read as a group.
Model Writing a Choral Poem
Provide additional samples of nursery rhymes. As a class, choose a nursery rhyme and work
together to rearrange the rhyme to be read according to one or more of the formats previously
discussed (in unison, with an echo, in groups, one line per reader, and/or adding on). Model
reworking and rewriting the poem on the board or overhead as necessary. (For example, you
may use colors to represent different readers, or arrange the poem in columns according to the
different reading parts, add a narrative voice, include an opinion, and so on.)
Variation: Short fables and folktales can also be adapted to ft the choral poetry format. As
a class, choose a favorite fable or folktale (The Ant and The Grasshopper, The Tortoise and
the Hare, Billy Goats Gruff, and so on) and rearrange and rewrite it to be performed as a
choral poem.
Presentation: Expression, Fluency, and Rhythm
Explain that in choral poetry poets must pay special attention to the way the poem is read
and performed. This is because the presentation adds to the understanding and meaning of
the poem.
Review the defnition and function of the following terms. Model their application as necessary:
Expression: Personal feeling and emotion expressed in the reading of a poem; provides
interest to a choral poem. (To check for understanding, have individual students reread the
Narrators part in Three Little Kittens, varying the expression, tone, volume, and emotion in
their voice as they read. Discuss how varying expression while reading affects the meaning
of the poem.)
Fluency and Rhythm: Ease with which a poem is read and the fow of rising and falling
sounds; is achieved with reading practice. (To check for understanding, have individual
students reread the Students voices in Three Little Kittens, varying the pace of their
reading and stressing different words as they read. Discuss how pace and emphasis on
certain words can add, change, or detract from the poems message.)
Have pairs or groups of students practice reading Mary Had a Little Lamb, experimenting
with expression, fuency, and rhythm as they read.
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Choral Poetry Lesson Plan (continued)
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Poetry Practice
Have groups of students choose one of the samples of nursery rhymes provided earlier.
Have them work together to compose and present a variation of their chosen poem.
Encourage students to rewrite or rework their poems as necessaryadding words, phrases,
opinions, and so on. Remind them that they should have a reason for making their changes
(to improve readability, to show opinion, to add or change meaning, and so on).
Allow plenty of time for students to practice and perfect their poems.
Have students perform their poems for the class.
Use the Worksheets for Practice
Have students compose a choral poem using the scaffolded worksheets.
There are three choices of worksheets and a samples page:
Worksheet 1 for students who need additional support
Worksheet 2 for students who have a basic understanding of choral poetry
Worksheet 3 for students who have a solid understanding of choral poetry
Samples for examples of choral poetry
Extend the Activity
Have pairs of students select a current event or controversial subject and work together to
compose an original choral poem. Each voice in the poem should express one side of the
argument or controversy. For example, if a pair of students were to write about extending
the bedtime hour at their house, one student might write and read the voice of the parent,
while the other might write and read the voice of the child. Students should use what they
know about poetry, expression, fuency, and rhythm to compose and present their poems.
Have pairs or groups of students select a favorite book. Have them work together to write
and perform a choral poem that expresses the different points of view of the characters in
the book. Have them think about the characters feelings, appearance, voice, and movements
as they write and perform their characters part.
Have students share and perform their poems with as many different audiences as possible.