Ode to the Bluebonnet

4th Grade Activity - Teacher Directions

Summary

Students create an acrostic poem using the word "bluebonnet"

Background

The bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. Have students brainstorm adjectives and descriptive phrases for the bluebonnet and its habitat. Share with students the book, The Legend of the Bluebonnet, by Tomie de Paola. Allow students to integrate parts of the legend into their brainstorming and later the acrostic poem.

Skills

Language Arts: Composition

Materials

Blackboard or overhead projector
Paper
Pencils
Crayons or markers

Procedure

1. Record student brainstorming ideas about the bluebonnet on a chalkboard or overhead.
2. Have students create an acrostic poem or “ode” about the bluebonnet using the writing process with rough and final drafts.
3. Allow student to illustrate their odes.
4. Display student work.

Example:

Beautiful
Lupine
trUe
wildflowEr
Blue
blOoms
spriNgtime
reNewal
sElfless
gifT