Rhyme Grit Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Rhyme & Grit Guide
Poetry Analysis • Middle School Interest • Grade 1 Readability
3-Day Unit Plan
Core Philosophy
Respect student maturity with raw, urban themes. Support low-readability with ultra-short lines, repetitive structures, and high visual feedback.
Key Scaffolds
Visual highlighting, side-by-side vocabulary icons, line-by-line decoding pointers, and structured writing boxes with sentence starters.
Exit Checks
Targeted, low-readability checks with simple layouts. Perfect for tracking progress on basic structural and comprehension skills.
DAY 1
Lesson 1: Poem Anatomy
Lines & Stanzas
Learning Objective
Students will count and label lines and stanzas in short, high-interest urban poems, identifying how structural breaks separate thoughts.
Pacing & Flow
Hooks (10m): Use skate deck visuals. Contrast a single brick vs. a brick wall to explain lines vs. stanzas.Teach (15m): Guided tracking on the board. Model coloring each stanza.Practice (20m): Anatomy Workbook Page 1. Students color-code, trace, and count.Wrap (10m): Exit ticket (L1) & share-out.
Scaffolding Pointers
Use fingers to frame individual lines to isolate decoding stress.
Remind students: "Lines go side-to-side, stanzas are blocks with air in between."
Provide green and blue highlighters to distinctively shade each element.
Questioning Framework for "Skate Park" Poem
Q: Look at how the words sit on the page. Why didn't the author write them in one huge block?
Expected Student Response: It looks like skateboarding jumps. The spaces are like flying in the air.
Q: Put your finger on Stanza 2, Line 3. Read just that word. What feeling does that single word give you?
Expected Student Response: "Crash." It feels sudden. It makes me feel surprised.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Teacher Guide Page 1 of 3
Teacher Resource
Core & Cards
Poetry Analysis • Middle School Interest • Grade 1 Readability
Day 2 Lesson Plan
DAY 2
Lesson 2: Core Message
Main Idea & Clues
Learning Objective
Students will determine what a short urban poem is mostly about (central topic) and find 2 simple repeating words or clues that support it.
Pacing & Flow
Hooks (10m): Play a rhythmic clapping pattern. Ask: "What beat matches a heavy, loud subway train?"Teach (15m): Read "Subway Rumble." Circle key repeating words. Draw a simple center circle (Topic) on board with arms (Clues).Practice (20m): Core Workbook & matching Station Cards.Wrap (10m): Day 2 Exit Ticket.
Scaffolding Pointers
Help students separate "what happens" (e.g., train moves) from "the topic" (e.g., subway).
Point out repeating words—if a word is there 3 times, it is always a massive clue!
Allow verbal explanation of the topic before asking students to write it down.
Street Beat Cards Station Guide
This set features 4 bite-sized interactive cards matching simple, raw poems to their matching central topic cards and structured clues. Use during Day 2 and Day 3 independent/group stations.
Cooperative Station
Pair up. Student A reads the poem aloud. Student B matches the Poem Card to the correct Topic & Clue cards. Swap roles for Card 2.
Teacher-led Scaffold
Sit with intensive-need groups. Read the cards. Point out picture hints. Have students stack cards as they match them.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Teacher Guide Page 2 of 3
Teacher Resource
Vibe & Answers
Poetry Analysis • Middle School Interest • Grade 1 Readability
Day 3 & Keys
DAY 3
Lesson 3: Vibe Check
Sensory & Feelings
Learning Objective
Students will locate sensory words (sounds, sights) and emotional keywords (loud, dark, mad, proud) in urban basketball and city-light poems.
Pacing & Flow
Hooks (10m): Close eyes. Make a slam dunk sound ("Swoosh!"). What sense did we use?Teach (15m): Read "Neon Glow." Color sense words. Link color-coding to a five-senses anchor map.Practice (20m): Vibe Workbook and peer-checks.Wrap (10m): Day 3 Exit Ticket.
Scaffolding Pointers
Provide physical props when possible (headphones, neon color pens).
Focus heavily on "Hear" and "See" as they are most common in urban poetry.
Use quick gestural cues (tap ear for sound, point to eye for sight) to support tracking.
Answer Keys & Standard Responses
Lesson 1: Anatomy
"Skate Park": 8 lines, 2 stanzas.
"City Wall": 6 lines, 2 stanzas.
Exit Tkt: 8 lines, 2 stanzas.
Lesson 2: Core Msg
"Subway": Subway / Train. Clues: rumble, track.
"Heads": Music / Beats. Clues: loud, ear.
Exit Tkt: Train / Station.
Lesson 3: Vibe
"Neon Glow": Bright, yellow, dark. Sight sense.
"Slam": Swish, bounce. Sound sense.
Exit Tkt: Sound: boom.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Teacher Guide Page 3 of 3
Anatomy Slides Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 1
Poem Anatomy
Concrete Beats:
Lines & Stanzas
Let's learn how poems are built on the page using street beats and skate decks.
Structure Guide
Slide 1 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Anatomy
Part 1
The Line
A line is a single row of words. It goes from left to right. It can be long, or it can be just one single word!
In poems, a line doesn't have to be a full sentence!
Visual Model: Skate Deck
1 The board rolls fast
2 over the flat cold stone
3 CRASH!
👉 This poem fragment has 3 lines!
Structure Guide
Slide 2 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Anatomy
Part 2
The Stanza
A stanza is a group of lines. It is a block of text.
Stanzas are separated by blank space (air). Think of them like paragraphs for a poem!
Why use stanzas? To give readers a break and start a new action or feeling!
Visual Model: Blocks of Art
Stanza 1
We paint the wall
with red and bright gold
BLANK SPACE / AIR / BREAK
Stanza 2
Our story is loud
and our stories are bold
Structure Guide
Slide 3 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Practice
Let's Count!
Skate Park
Let's count the lines and stanzas together.
How many lines do you see?
How many stanzas ?
What happens in Stanza 2?
I push my board.
I feel the wind.
I jump the ramp.
I slide on rail.
I stick the landing.
My friends cheer loud.
Structure Guide
Slide 4 of 4
Anatomy Workbook Workbook Page 1
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 1: Anatomy
NAME:
DATE:
Poem Blueprint
L
The Line
A single row of words. Goes side-to-side.
S
The Stanza
A block of lines. Separated by air.
1 Poem 1: Skate Park
Read the poem. Trace the lines and boxes as directed.
1 → I push my board.
2 → I feel the wind.
3 → I jump the ramp.
( Blank Space )
4 → I slide on rail.
5 → I stick the landing.
6 → My friends cheer loud.
A. Count the Lines
How many single rows of words are there total?
Total Lines:
B. Count the Stanzas
How many blocks of text separated by air are there?
Total Stanzas:
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 1 Student Workbook Page 1 of 2
Workbook Page 2
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 1: Anatomy
NAME:
DATE:
2 Poem 2: City Wall
Look at this wall art poem. Answer the questions in the white boxes.
Red spray can.
Blue spray can.
Shake it up.
( Gap )
Paint a name.
Paint a heart.
Free wild art.
C. Structure Check
How many lines are in Stanza 1 ?
Stanza 1 Lines:
D. Total Count
What is the total number of lines in this whole poem?
Total Lines:
Draw Your Own Blueprint
Draw a model of a poem that has 2 stanzas and 2 lines in each stanza . Use simple blocks or lines!
My Design Space
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 1 Student Workbook Page 2 of 2
Anatomy Exit Ticket Day 1 Exit Ticket
Anatomy Check
Score: ____ / 3
NAME:
DATE:
Read: "The Ramp"
Fast wheels.
Slick board.
Up the wooden hill.
Fly high.
• • • •
Cold ground.
Hard slap.
Hear the group cheer.
Big grin.
QUESTION 1
How many stanzas (blocks of text) are in this poem?
1 Stanza
2 Stanzas
4 Stanzas
QUESTION 2
How many total lines are in this entire poem?
4 Lines
6 Lines
8 Lines
QUESTION 3
What is a "line" in a poem?
A single row of words
A whole block of words
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 1 Exit Ticket Score Checked
Core Slides Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 2
Core Message
The City Beat:
Topic & Clues
Let's find what a poem is mostly about using simple word clues and repeating beats.
Comprehension Guide
Slide 1 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Topic
Part 1
The Central Topic
The topic is who or what the poem is mostly about.
Ask yourself: "What is the big idea? What did I just read about?"
Example Topic
If a poem talks about tracks, steel wheels, loud rumbles, and tunnels , the topic is:
SUBWAY TRAIN
Comprehension Guide
Slide 2 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Clues
Part 2
Word Clues
Authors leave clues to help us know the topic.
Look for words that repeat or belong to the same group.
Clue Mapping Tool
Clue 1: Steel Rails
Clue 2: Dark Tunnel
SUBWAY TRAIN
Comprehension Guide
Slide 3 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Practice
Guided Practice
Track Beat
Read the poem. Answer:
What is the main topic ?
What words show you?
I hear the big track roar.
The train stops at the door.
We ride through dark tunnels.
We get off on the street.
Comprehension Guide
Slide 4 of 4
Core Workbook Workbook Page 1
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 2: Core Message
NAME:
DATE:
1 Poem: Subway Rumble
Read the poem. Fill out the Clue Web below with the main topic and word clues.
Poem Reading
Deep under the dark street.
I hear the heavy steel beat.
The train runs on the track.
No turning back.
Clue Web Organizer
Clue 1: Word or Action
Clue 2: Word or Action
The Heart
WHAT IS THE BIG TOPIC?
What is this poem mostly about?
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 2 Student Workbook Page 1 of 2
Workbook Page 2
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 2: Core Message
NAME:
DATE:
2 Poem: Heads Up
Read the poem. Answer the questions below by ticking the right box.
Put the red cups on your ears.
Press the button on the side.
Hear the loud drum jump and drop.
Let the music rule the block.
What is this poem mostly about?
Eating fresh hot street food
Listening to loud music
Which word was a clue for music?
The word "ears" or "drum"
The word "block" or "side"
Make Your Own Beat
Complete this poem with your own sensory word clue! Write in the blank space.
// Line 1:
I put my headphones on my head,
// Line 2 (Complete this line):
And I hear the sound of
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 2 Student Workbook Page 2 of 2
Core Exit Ticket Day 2 Exit Ticket
Core Check
Score: ____ / 3
NAME:
DATE:
Read: "The Steel Tracks"
Cold steel rails.
The train rolls fast.
Hear the loud horn blast.
People jump in.
QUESTION 1
What is the central topic of this poem?
A clean park
A fast train
A basketball
QUESTION 2
Which word was a text clue that helped you find the topic?
"rails"
"cold"
"fast"
QUESTION 3
How do text clues help a reader?
They tell us how lines are grouped.
They point us directly to the main topic.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 2 Exit Ticket Score Checked
Street Beat Cards Station Resource • Page 1
Street Beat Poem Cards
Print & Cut
✂️ Instructions: Cut out these 4 Poem Cards along the dotted lines. Use them in your learning station with the matching Topic and Clue cards on Page 2!
Poem Card A
The Skate Jump
Slick wood ramp.
Fly in the cold air.
Down to the gray ground.
Heavy board rolls on.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit Match with Card A-Topic & Clues
Poem Card B
Steel Tracks
Deep down in the dark.
Hear the loud horn blow.
Yellow lights flash fast.
Subway runs on rails.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit Match with Card B-Topic & Clues
Poem Card C
Court Battle
Red brick school yard.
Bounce the orange ball.
Slam it in the net.
My team shouts and cheers.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit Match with Card C-Topic & Clues
Poem Card D
The Spray Cans
Shake the shiny can.
Hear the rattle shake.
Paint a giant heart.
Color on the brick wall.
Unit: Rhyme & Grit Match with Card D-Topic & Clues
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Matching Station Cards Page 1 of 2
Station Resource • Page 2
Street Beat Matching Cards
Print & Cut
✂️ Instructions: Cut these Topic & Clue cards. Mix them up. Match them back to Poem Cards A, B, C, and D!
Match for A
TOPIC: SKATEBOARDING
CLUES: "ramp", "board rolls", "fly"
STATION KEY CARD A
Match for B
TOPIC: SUBWAY TRAINS
CLUES: "rails", "horn blow", "subway"
STATION KEY CARD B
Match for C
TOPIC: BASKETBALL
CLUES: "orange ball", "net", "bounce"
STATION KEY CARD C
Match for D
TOPIC: GRAFFITI ART
CLUES: "spray can", "rattle", "paint"
STATION KEY CARD D
Station Tracker Log
Keep track of your match success below!
SET A [ ] MATCHED
SET B [ ] MATCHED
SET C [ ] MATCHED
Vibe Slides Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 3
Vibe Check
Sensory Beats:
Senses & Feelings
Let's explore how word pictures and street sounds create deep feelings and high energy.
Imagery Guide
Slide 1 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Senses
Part 1
Word Pictures
Poets write with words that show what we hear, see, smell, taste, and touch .
These are called sensory words . They paint a canvas in your mind!
Senses We Use Most
Sounds (HEAR)
"BOOM!" of a heavy bass, "SWOOSH!" of a net.
Sights (SEE)
"Neon yellow glow", "dark shadows on concrete".
Imagery Guide
Slide 2 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Feelings
Part 2
Feelings
Sensory words build emotions . They put a vibe in the poem!
Is the vibe mad ? Is it proud ? Is it loud and fast ?
Match the Vibe
Slam Dunk!
Sound: "SWISH!"
PROUD VIBE
Neon Lights!
Sight: "Bright Glow"
ENERGY VIBE
Imagery Guide
Slide 3 of 4
Rhyme & Grit • Practice
Practice Day 3
Neon Glow
Read the poem. Find:
What sight words do you see?
What sound words can you hear?
Bright yellow sign in the dark.
It hums and buzzes on the wall.
We laugh and walk on concrete cold.
The street is ours, and we feel bold.
Imagery Guide
Slide 4 of 4
Vibe Workbook Workbook Page 1
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 3: Vibe Check
NAME:
DATE:
1 Poem: Slam Dunk
Read the poem. Color-code the sensory words using highlighters (Green for Hear, Blue for See).
Court Poem
Hard orange ball.
Hear the heavy bounce.
Up to the steel hoop.
SWISH! It falls through.
Sensory Detective
Write down the words from the poem that match each sense in the white boxes:
What I SEE (Sight)
Example: orange ball
What I HEAR (Sound)
Example: SWISH
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 3 Student Workbook Page 1 of 2
Workbook Page 2
Rhyme & Grit
Lesson 3: Vibe Check
NAME:
DATE:
2 Poem: Neon Sign
Read the poem. Answer the questions in the white spaces below.
Bright yellow light.
It hums and it glows.
Dark shadows are long.
We sing a proud song.
Which word describes a sound?
The word "glows"
The word "hums"
What is the feeling/emotion of this poem?
"Proud" and energetic
"Scared" and quiet
My Neighborhood Sounds
What is a loud sound you hear on your block? Complete the sentence starter in the white space.
On my block, I hear the loud sound of
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 3 Student Workbook Page 2 of 2
Vibe Exit Ticket Day 3 Exit Ticket
Vibe Check
Score: ____ / 3
NAME:
DATE:
Read: "The Boom Box"
Big grey box on the steps.
Hear the heavy boom sound.
We dance on the sidewalk cold.
We laugh loud with our friends.
QUESTION 1
Which word is a sensory word for something you HEAR?
"grey"
"boom"
"cold"
QUESTION 2
Which word is a sensory word for something you SEE?
"grey"
"loud"
"dance"
QUESTION 3
What is the "vibe" or feeling of this poem?
Sad and sleepy
Happy and high energy
Unit: Rhyme & Grit • Lesson 3 Exit Ticket Score Checked
