• discuss and think about how poets decide on titles for their poems

• create titles for title-less poems

• several copies of poems (preferably enlarged and mounted on construction paper or poster board)
• index cards or sheets of paper on which to write titles
• several poems with catchy titles to read to the class (see suggestions below)

Preparation: Hang the poems around the room at student eye level. Label the poems: Poem #1, Poem #2, etc. Below the poem place either index cards or sheets of paper on which to write titles. Label these also.

Tell students: Most writers try to create catchy or clever titles for their poems to "grab" readers and make them want to read the poem.

Share with students several clever titles from short, age-appropriate poems. First write the title on the board then discuss as a class what the students think the poem may be about. Then, read the poem to them. Were their guesses correct?

After doing this with several poems, ask students if they notice anything about the titles. (Possible responses: Some poets try to create a title that conveys the main idea of the poem. Some poets use alliteration. Sometimes the title makes you think the poem is going to be about one thing, but after you read it, it's about something totally different .)

Divide students into groups. Tell them that they are going on a poetry walk. Assign each group to a displayed poem. Tell students to read the poem together (quietly) and then agree upon a title. They will then write down the title on the available index cards or paper. (You can have small boxes in which to deposit the titles, or have them hand them into you at the end of the "walk.")

At the proper time, have each group rotate to the next poem and repeat the procedure.

After all groups have completed the walk, read each poem to the class and then write on the board all the title suggestions. Discuss with the class which title they think is most appropriate. (If you wish, you may have students pretend that they are editors and vote on the "best" title.)

Assessment:

Make copies of several poems (without the titles). On a separate sheet of paper, list all the titles. Have student "match" the titles to the poems. If desired, have students explain why they chose a particular title for a particular poem.

Alternative/Additional Assessment:

Provide students with copies of several poems. Have them create titles which: tell the main idea, use alliteration, are tongue twisters, or are a combination of these.