Engage:
1. Ask students to turn and talk to a partner about a time they jumped. Share ideas with the class and list them on the board. Examples: jumping rope, playing basketball, dancing, cheering, jumping over something, jumping into a pool, and playing hopscotch.
2. Read When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang or similar story that shows emotions.
3. Lead students in a discussion about jumping when we are mad. Ask a student to demonstrate what that might look like.
Developmental Activity:
4. Create a list of synonyms for the word "jump". Examples: bound, leap, hop, skip, soar, shoot, fly.
5. Tell students that they will create a free verse poem about a time they jumped. Revisit the list of reasons we jump and add any new ideas.
6. Review the elements of a free verse poem (doesn't have to rhyme, can be in phrases instead of complete sentences, words may be repeated for emphasis, etc.).
7. Allow students time to talk with a partner about their ideas. Encourage them to write their thoughts down as soon as they think of an idea. Choose their best idea. Remember the feelings they felt while they were jumping. Ask them to incorporate these feelings into their poem. After the poem is complete, read it to their partner for proofing.
Art Steps (Example here):
8. Distribute construction paper of various colors. Students will cut shapes to make the different parts of the body. Demonstrate how to position the shapes on the white paper to create a figure. Explain that they should move the pieces around to create different positions and find the one they like best before gluing. Use thin markers to add facial features. Students will also use construction paper to add details such as a basketball, clouds, grass, etc.
Culminating Activity:
9. Students will rewrite their poems on their collage paper. Students will share their poems and artwork with the class.
Extension Activity:
10. Make a T-Chart of appropriate and inappropriate ways to deal with anger. Discuss the concept of self-control.
