Integrating the Arts

www.integratingthearts.yolasite.com

By: Carol Schneider

Title:  An Ode to Traveling Westward

Grade Level:  5th

Subject:  Social Studies

Content Covered:  Traveling West

Materials Needed:

·         Paper

·         Pencil

Procedure:

1.      Explain to students that an ode is a poem about celebration and reverence.  It is a song or lyric poem that most often addresses a thing or a person.  The poem includes celebratory language and grand metaphors.  Show examples.

2.      Have students create an ode regarding traveling westward.  They need to describe how people traveled and the problems that they faced on their journey. 

Assessment:

Westward Ode Rubric

 

3

2

1

Total

Poem Form

The poem is in the form of an ode.

The poem is somewhat in the form of an ode.

The poem is not in the form of an ode.

 

Language

The poem uses celebratory language and/or grand metaphors.

The poem uses very little celebratory language and/or grand metaphors.

The poem uses no celebratory language and/or grand metaphors.

 

Descriptive 

The poem has many descriptive words explaining the travel.

The poem has a few descriptive words explaining the travel.

The poem has no descriptive words explaining the travel.

 

 

Total___________________/9.

Comments:

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Extensions:

            This lesson can be adapted to fit any content in any subject area.  Examples:  An Ode to Decimals, An Ode to the Water Cycle, An Ode to Metaphors, etc…

Teacher Comments:

Resources: 

This lesson is adapted from Lesley University Instructor of The Language of Poetry professor Christina Burress.