Cinquain Activity

Mom
Helpful, caring
Loves to garden
Excitable, likes satisfying people
Teacher

What do you notice about this poem?

•     The first and the last lines are a single word.
•     The first line contains the topic of the poem and the fifth line contains a word that is either a synonym for the topic
      or that expresses something about it.
•     The second line consists of two adjectives that describe the topic.
•     The third line contains two verbs ending with -ing that go with the topic.
•     The fourth line is a short phrase about the topic.

This form of poem is called a cinquain, because it has five lines and cinq is the French word for five. Suggest topics for poems. Pick one and write a cinquain about it as a class. Pass out copies of the Cinquain worksheet. Have students write poems of their own.

Extension

Illustrate your poem and hang them around the room to celebrate Poetry Month.

 

Animal Cinquain

Directions: Using the cinquain format, write a poem about an animal.

Cinquain format:

Line 1: One word (subject or noun)
Line 2: Two words (adjectives) that describe line 1
Line 3: Three words (action verbs ending with "-ing") that relate to line 1
Line 4: Four or five words (feelings or a complete sentence) that describe the subject or are related to it in some way
Line 5: One word that sums up line 1 or is a synonym of line 1