Loch Ness Mystery

Types of poetry

• Storyworks 2 is full of amazing text-to-text connections to help kids gain context for what they’re reading.
• This poem adds to the discussion for the essential question of this issue: What is a mystery? Reading and discussing “Loch Ness Mystery” along with the other mystery-themed texts (the nonfiction “The Mystery of the Lake Monster,” the mini graphic novel “Mystery at the Knitting Club,” and the paired text “The Mystery of the Missing Bugs”) should give kids great insight into what a mystery is.
• Through thse various genres, students will discuss: What is a mystery? How are all mysteries alike? How can they be different? Do I like reading this kind of story? Why or why not?
• “Loch Ness Mystery” also teaches about forms of poetry.

1. Read the Big Read (20 minutes)

• This poem is best understood after reading the nonfiction article “The Mystery of the Lake Monster.” That gives kids background knowledge that will help them understand the poem.

2. Preview Vocabulary (3 minutes)

• Play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are sleek and lurk.

Preview the Poem's Form

• Before reading the poem, ask children to look at the page and share what they notice. It’s in the shape of the Loch Ness Monster!

• This poem is really fun to read as a whole-class activity.
• Explain that poems can tell a story in a small amount of space. Tell kids that they are going to read a poem about the Loch Ness Monster that fits on just one page but explains the mystery of this creature.
• Read the poem as a class. Model fluency by reading it aloud first with as much emotion as you can muster.
• Then call on students to read it aloud, a sentence each. Ask them to try to read with expression.
• Use the Read-Aloud feature on our website to hear the poem read aloud and to model fluency.

ELA Focus: Opinion Writing (20 minutes)

• Use the “Is the Loch Ness Monster Real?” activity (available in your Resources tab). Kids will write a letter to a friend giving their reasons for why they think the Loch Ness Monster is real or not.

ELA Focus: Make Your Own Shape Poems (10 minutes)

• We offer delightful shape templates online in your Resources tab! Kids can write in them to make their own shape poems.
• First, photocopy and pass out the shapes. Ask kids to pick their favorite.
• Then they can brainstorm words and phrases connected to the shape.
• Now they can write their poems in the shape!