Lesson Blueprints
Title of Project: The Moon as Poetic Inspiration
School District: Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District
School: Reese Road Elementary School
Standard: English Language Arts
Speaking and Writing for Literary Response
Class: 4th Grade
Teacher: Josephine Gloo
Library Media Specialist: Paul Girsdansky
Project Length: 15 40-minute periods, to include three sessions at the library
I. Issues for the Teacher
A. What NYS Standard are you working towards in this project?
Standard English Language Arts #2: (elementary) - Speaking and writing for literary response.
Key Idea Students create their own stories, poems and songs using elements of the literature they have read, using appropriate vocabulary in the process.
B. What skill (C-DOS/Information Literacy, etc.) do you want your students to develop as they work on this project?
American Association of School Librarians Category #5 (Independent Learning), Standard 5.2: Students will derive meaning from information presented creatively in a variety of formats.
C. Describe in some detail what you want your students to do and/or produce in this project that will demonstrate that they are moving toward the standard and developing their skill.
Students will listen to "The Eyes of Gray Wolf" and other fiction works, see the video "Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out," and hear Andy Williams' "Moon River" -- and will do independent reading -- and write a poem in one of a variety of forms. Forms of choice are acrostic form, haiku, "-ing" form or free form. Criteria for evaluation will include production of a written poem, oral presentation with a reasoned introduction, use of correct grammar and information, expressive speech in presentation and correct use of poetic form.
II. Issues for the Library Media Specialist
A. What instructional strategies will you use to move students toward the standard(s) and skill(s) above?
After learning how the moon provided inspiration in various types of literature, what form will you choose for a moon-inspired poem -- and what will it say?
B. What material/technical support will you provide for the project?
  • Books for book talks.
  • Dedicated shelf of appropriate books.
  • Interlibrary loan as appropriate.
  • Exemption for normal checkout limits.
III. Issues for the Teacher and Library Media Specialist
A. What is the question driving the project?
Why is the moon an important inspiration to writers and other creative people?
B. The Challenge for Students (What product do you want students to create that will provide evidence they're learning the standard and skill?)
Creation and effective delivery of a written poem that meets standards of form.
C. Product Criteria (What criteria for a product of "good" quality?)

  • Written preparation of poem that meets standards.
  • Oral presentation with a reasoned introduction.
  • Audible and expressive speech in presentation.
D. Standards Criteria (What evidence is needed to determine that the desired standard is being achieved?)
  • Written poem has appropriate (1) grammar, (2) form, (3) consistency with informational content and (4) legibility.
  • Oral presentation (1) reflects content of written work, (2) is introduced appropriately, (3) is audible and (4) is expressive in oral interpretation.
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