Diamante
Language Arts, Writing
Grade 3- 5
Objective
Students will learn how to write diamantes.
Directions
Background for the Teacher
Definition
A diamante is a poem written in the shape of a diamond. The form begins with a short line, its lines become progressively longer, and then its lines become shorter again. The diamante has several pattern variations. This lesson will teach students how to write a diamante using two opposite topics.
Skills Needed
Students need to have familiarity with the basic parts of speech (nouns, adjectives, verbs).
Preparation
Cut out the diamonds on the Diamante Diamonds reproducible. Store diamonds in an envelope or plastic sandwich bag until needed for the lesson. Reproduce the Absolutely Opposites worksheet and the Diamante Response and Assessment Sheet. Reproduce and cut out a Diamond Design pattern for each student in the class.
Lesson Plan
Prewriting
- Distribute one diamond cutout to each student at the beginning of class. Instruct students to read the word on their diamond and locate the student who has the diamond with the opposite of their diamond word. Allow students time to move around the room to locate their opposite partner. Once students have located their partner, instruct them to sit together. They will be writing partners for this lesson.
- Distribute the Absolutely Opposites worksheet. Instruct students to write one of the words from their diamonds in the box marked Opposite #1. The opposite word from the other diamond should be written in the box marked Opposite #2.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet, following the directions in the boxes. Depending on the skill level of your students, you may need to review adjectives, verbs, and nouns.
- Once students have generated the content for their diamante, instruct them to draft the poem in diamond form. The poem should be written in the following pattern:
Line 1
Opposite #1
Line 2
2 adjectives describing Opposite #1
Line 3
3 verbs related to Opposite #1
Line 4
2 nouns related to Opposite #1; 2 nouns related to Opposite #2
Line 5
3 verbs related to Opposite #2
Line 6
2 adjectives describing Opposite #2
Line 7
Opposite #2
- When the poem is drafted, students should share their diamante with another pair of students. Provide the Diamante Response and Assessment Sheet for this purpose. Peer responders should check to make sure the correct format has been followed, including the number of words and parts of speech. Students should also make sure that the poem resembles a diamond shape.
- Following peer response, students should make any necessary revisions before writing a final copy of the poem.
Students could write their diamante on a piece of white paper and mount it on a piece of construction paper or aluminum foil cut in the shape of a large diamond; the Diamond Design could be used by students to trace the shape of a diamond. They could attach the poem to two other diamonds illustrating the opposites they wrote about in their poem. The finished product is a string of three diamonds connected together, with the poem in the middle. These look wonderful hanging from the ceiling or walls as a classroom display. (Be sure to check on your school or district policy on hanging items from the ceiling before doing so.)
Student Samples of Diamantes
tropical
warm, summery
swimming, sunning, surfing
sandy beaches, hula girls, polar bears, Santa Claus
freezing, snowing, blowing
cold, wintry
Arctic
sad
lonely, weepy
crying, wishing, missing
hurt, tears, smile, joy
laughing, clapping, leaping
excited, cheery
glad
hot
steamy, humid
burning, sizzling, cooking
fire, heat, ice, snow
blowing, biting, freezing
frigid, chilly
cold
Curriculum Connections for Diamantes
Language Arts
Suppose your language arts teacher has asked you to compare two very different characters from a story you have been reading. Your teacher would like you to write your comparison as a diamante poem. Think about two different characters from a story you have been reading. Think about their appearances. Think about their personalities. Think about their actions. Think about how the characters are different. Write a diamante comparing two different characters from a story you have been reading.
Math
Suppose your math teacher has asked you to compare two geometric shapes. Your teacher would like you to write your comparison as a diamante poem. Think about two geometric shapes. Think about their appearances. Think about real objects that are designed in the two shapes you have chosen. Think about how the shapes are different. Write a diamante comparing two different geometric shapes.
Social Studies
Suppose your social studies teacher has asked you to compare two opposite concepts, such as freedom and slavery or peace and war. Your teacher would like you to write your comparison as a diamante poem. Think about the two different concepts your teacher has assigned. Think about the definitions of the concepts. Think about examples of the concepts. Think about society's feelings toward the concepts. Write a diamante comparing the two opposite concepts assigned by your teacher.
Science
Suppose your science teacher has asked you to compare two planets. Your teacher would like you to write your comparison as a diamante poem. Think about two planets you have been studying. Think about their appearances. Think about their locations. Think about the environments and atmospheres of the planets. Write a diamante comparing two planets that you have been studying.
Fine Arts
Suppose your fine arts teacher has asked you to compare two different styles of art or music. Your teacher would like you to write your comparison as a diamante poem. Think about the two different styles. Think about the time period in which each style was prominent. Think about what the style looks or sounds like. Think about specific artists who used each style. Write a diamante comparing the two styles of art or music assigned by your teacher.
Resources
one diamond cutout from the reproducible Diamante Diamonds for each student
one Absolutely Opposites activity page for each pair of students
one Diamante Response and Assessment Sheet for each pair of students
envelope or plastic sandwich bag
Diamond Design pattern for students to trace, construction paper or aluminum foil