Jennifer Hodges
Graphic organizer for a Cinquain – 4 th grade
My written model of a graphic organizer for a cinquain
Explanation of Genre
Explain to students that a cinquain is a type of poem called a syllable count poem. It requires that the first line have two syllables, the second have four, the third have six, the fourth have eight, and the fifth have two syllables. Each line consists of words from different parts of speech.
Explanation of resources and students’ specific writing assignment
The teacher will prepare a chart of what elements are required for a cinquain. The chart will be made as follows:
Line 1: 1 word subject with 2 syllables
Line 2: 2 adjectives that describe the subject, each with 2 syllables
Line 3: 3 verbs that have to do with the subject, each with 2 syllables
Line 4: 4 words talking about feelings or observations about the subject, each with 2 syllables
Line 5: 1 word renaming the subject (noun) or describing the subject (verb)with 2 syllables
The students will be asked to brainstorm ideas for each part of the cinquain, making lists of words for the subject and for each different line there after.
Using my written model as a model during instruction
The teacher will show the students her written model of brainstorming for a cinquain.
The teacher will point out the required elements for brainstorming and focus on the types of words in a cinquain.
Practice activity
The teacher will use the shared pen technique and ask the students to give examples of words for each line of the cinquain for a class poem, starting with the subject.
Assessment activity
Students will complete a graphic organizer for a cinquain poem, paying attention to the different parts of speech required.

Jennifer Hodges
Name: ____________________________
First, you need to pick a subject. What do you want to write your cinquain about? ___________________________
Second, you need to think of adjectives that describe your subject. Write down as many adjectives as you can think of that describe your subject.
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Third, you need to think of verbs that have to do with your subject. Write down as many verbs as you can think of that have to do with your subject.
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Fourth, you need to think of feeling words or observations that have to do with your subject. Write down as many as you can think of that have to do with your subject.
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Last, you need to think of words that rename or describe your subject. Write down as many words as you can think of that rename or describe your subject.
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Jennifer Hodges
Rough draft of a cinquain – 4 th grade
My written model of a rough draft for a cinquain
Explanation of Genre
Remind students that a cinquain is a type of poem called a syllable count poem. It requires that the first line have two syllables, the second have four, the third have six, the fourth have eight, and the fifth have two syllables. Each line consists of words from different parts of speech. Also remind students that a rough draft is a first copy of a written work where it’s okay to make mistakes.
Explanation of resources and students’ specific writing assignment
The teacher will pass out and explain the worksheet to the students. The worksheet consists of the correct number of lines for each word that is required for a cinquain. The students will use the worksheet and their graphic organizers as guides for writing their rough draft of a cinquain.
Using my written model as a model during instruction
The teacher will show the students her written model of a rough draft of a cinquain and point out all of the required elements.
Practice activity
Using the class’ graphic organizer as a guide, the teacher will use the shared pen technique to guide the students through creating a class version of a rough draft of a cinquain.
Assessment activity
The students will create their own cinquains using their lists from their graphic organizers and using the worksheet passed out by the teacher.
Cinquain Rough Draft
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