To+Catch+a+Fish

Day 1

 * 1) Introduce the poem. "This is a poem about fishing. Who has been fishing? What things do you need to go fishing?" Get some vocab (fishing pole, line, hook, bait)
 * 2) Echo read the poem twice. Teacher reads a line or two, group echos. Give positive feedback / make a few suggestions for improvement.
 * Read it once just through, and echo
 * Second time through, have students talk about what they __visualize__ and act out each part of fishing (for the first half).
 * 1) Comprehension question: __Connections__: What connections do you have? Does this remind you of other texts / stories / poems? Or to things in your own life?
 * 2) In pairs, students time each other reading the poem and record their initial time on the graph.

Day 2

 * 1) Today practice the poem with a partner. Have students model reading it with expression. Talk about changing your voice and intonation. Talk about how to read "You wait You wait" with that space in between the words. Why do you think the poet put that space in?
 * 2) Also talk about rhyme and rhythm. Who can read it with rhythm?
 * 3) Have them give each other some feedback.
 * 4) Go over each part of the poem in more detail. Paraphrase each part in "talking language." Re-write the story in sentences on chart paper.
 * 5) Partners time each other and record their Tuesday time on the sheet.

Day 3

 * 1) Focus on the line breaks.You can choose to pause at a line break, or to keep on going and only pause at the end of some lines. Have them identify the line breaks (touch them).
 * 2) Students practice alone or with a partner, as they choose, trying out different ways of reading it and where to pause.
 * 3) Comprehension: What __questions__ do you have for the author?
 * 4) They time each other and record the time.

Day 4

 * 1) Today they will get to perform the poem for each other. Give them some time to practice.
 * 2) Comprehension: What do you __infer__ the poet means when she says "it takes more than a wish to catch a fish?"
 * 3) People who want to can perform for the group. Time them as they do. If some don't perform, be sure they get timed by a partner and record their times.
 * 4) Other options for performing: have pairs or groups of 3 read each stanza, and go around the circle, reading the poem chorally in small groups.