Acrostic Lesson Plan

POETRY
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Student Objectives
Write an acrostic poem
Understand that adjectives are words that describe something
Understand and use synonyms to write poetry
Introduce the Poetry
Acrostic poetry is written using the letters in a topic word. The topic word letters are used as the
beginning letters for words and phrases that tell about the topic word. The topic word is written
vertically along the left side of the page, and words or phrases that describe the topic are written
left to right using the letters in the base word. Encourage students to use colorful words or phrases
that describe the topic.
Teach the Poetry
Reproduce the samples page as a student handout or as a transparency page for use on an
overhead projector.
Using the samples page as a guide, ask students to point out the similarities between the two
poems. Discuss how each word or phrase begins with a letter within the topic word. Point out
how Sunrise and Sunset share common letters and sometimes the two poems share the same
word for those letters such as Unbelievable for U and Nature for N. At other times, the same
letters are used to make different words, such as Shiny/Stunning and Exit/Entrance.
Ask students to volunteer other words that begin with S that could be written next to the S
in either Sunrise or Sunset (shining, stunning, sparkling, and so on.). Encourage students to
stretch their vocabulary and use a dictionary or thesaurus to fnd more colorful s words,
such as scintillating, staggering, sensational, and so on. Remind students that good poets
are always searching for the word that most accurately conveys the meaning they want to
express. Dictionaries and thesauruses are good tools to use to fnd those words.
Model Writing an Acrostic
The frst step in writing an acrostic poem is to choose a good topic. Acrostic poems may
be written about any topic. Choose a topic that can be described using a variety of words
or phrases.
Have students brainstorm possible topics about which to write. Subjects might include: words
from a content area being studied, a book title, a favorite authors name, or a students personal
interest. Encourage students to name topics that can easily be described or that evoke a feeling.
For example, an action such as war or peace, a game such as soccer or basketball, or a name such
as Jordan or Britney. Record students suggestions on the board or overhead projector.
Choose a topic from the generated list that you know students are familiar with and write it on
the board or overhead projector, leaving space between the letters.
Invite students to name words or phrases that describe the topic and that begin with each letter
within the topic word. List their suggestions below each letter.
Choosing one example for each letter, write a model acrostic for the chosen topic on the board
or overhead projector.
Have students write their own acrostic using the same topic. Encourage them to use a dictionary
or thesaurus to fnd synonyms or more interesting and precise words.
Level: Intermediate (grades 36)
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Acrostic Lesson Plan (continued)
POETRY
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Word Work: Adjectives and Synonyms
Review the meaning and function of the following terms:
adjective: a word or phrase that is used to describe a noun
synonym: a word having the same or almost the same meaning as another word
Discuss how understanding adjectives and synonyms can help a poet fnd words that ft the
criteria of an acrostic: the words must describe the topic and begin with one of the letters of
the topic. For example, if the poet wants to describe sun by using the adjective light but the
letter he/she is working with is r, then the poet must search for a synonym for the adjective
light that begins with the letter r (ray or radiant).
Use this opportunity to introduce and model using a thesaurus. Explain to students how to
locate an adjective in a thesaurus and then list the synonyms for that adjective. Encourage
them to practice the activity with other words before they use a thesaurus for their acrostics.
Poetry Practice
Have students work individually or in pairs to choose another topic from the generated topic
list on the board. Then have them create an acrostic as independent practice.
Remind students that each line in an acrostic poem typically begins with a capital letter and
that the letters used in the base word, or topic, are usually stressed with bold print or with an
ornate design.
Have students list descriptive words and phrases for each letter about their topic on a piece
of paper.
As students write, encourage them to brainstorm to fnd words and phrases that communicate
and ft the structure of their acrostic poem.
Have students revise their work in order to improve understanding and fow by adding,
deleting, consolidating, and rearranging words as necessary.
Use the Worksheets for Practice
Have students compose an acrostic 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 acrostics
Worksheet 3 for students who have a solid understanding of acrostics
Samples for examples of acrostic poetry
Extend the Activity
Celebrate the writing process by having students read their poetry aloud with fuency, rhythm,
and expression.
Encourage students to write acrostic poetry on a topic that is the opposite of one they have
already written. For example, if they wrote an acrostic on peace, have them write one on war.
Publish the opposing poems on facing pages in a class book.
Assign a class topic. Have each student write an acrostic on that topic. Compare the different
word choices students use. Point out and discuss the number of words students used in
common.
Encourage students to choose a topic that has more than one word, such as ice cream or
rst ight.
Have students share their writing with as many different audiences as possible. Poetry may
be published through classroom or schoolwide displays, a poetry book, a school newsletter
or website, an online poetry contest, or any other creative form of communication.
Practice fuency by having students read their poems into a tape recorder. Save their best
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Acrostic Lesson Plan (continued)
POETRY
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readings. Make the recordings available for other classes and/or grade levels to check
out and listen to.
Publish grade or class books on the same topic. For instance, if you are studying states,
one class might do acrostics on eastern states, one on southern states, and one on western
states. Compile all the acrostics into a book titled Our Fifty States and place the book in
your school library.
Use the alphabet in alphabetical order to write an acrostic on a given topic, such as
friendship, animals, or landmarks.
Example:
Ants
Bees
Cicadas
Dragonfies