"I Used to/but now" lesson plan - America SCORES

• As they work, check that they are following with the format. In the
independent section, they will be able to use whatever structure
they’d like.
• Once they’re done, have a few volunteers read a line from their
poems. Offer feedback and elicit feedback from other students.
Independent Work
• Read “That’s Odd” by Joel London. Ask students if this is a “used
to/but now” poem. How is Joel’s structure different What do they
like about it
• Now it’s time for the students to take their poem and polish it,
expand it, or change it completely! Remind them that they can use
the “used to/but now” format as much or as little as they want.
• Give students about 10-15 minutes to work on their poems. Walk
around the classroom offering support and helping students who
may be stuck, but encourage them to develop their poems on
their own.
Author’s Chair
• It’s presentation time! You can help create a safe, encouraging
environment by reading a poem yourself, and always giving the
students the option to pass.
• After a student presents, have the other students provide positive
feedback: an image or rhyme they liked, any questions they have,
or something that reminded them of their own lives/changes. You
can first provide a model giving positive feed back to the first few
readers.
• In a circle, remind students of any upcoming events or projects for
the week (game days, soccer practice, writing class).
• Encourage students to consider reading their poem at a game day,
practicing beforehand to be the best they can be!