Let's Write Poetry

Acrostics:
In Acrostic poems, the first letters of each line are aligned vertically to form a word.
The word is the subject of the poem.

An example is-

Elegantly and efficiently shaped
Good to eat
Great fun to find at Easter
Smooth shelled

Most often, the special letters come at the beginning of each line. Butthey may be placed
elsewhere, too.

Examples are-

Devoted,
On
Guard.

back-end
hello--
wagging.

Autobiographical:

Write a poem about yourself using this form.

Line 1: __ Your name
Line 2: _, _, _ 3 personal characteristics or physical traits
Line 3: Brother or sister of__ or son/daughter of
Line 4: Who loves__, __, and __ 3 people, things, ideas
Line 5: Who feels__ about__1 emotion about 1 thing
Line 6: Who needs__, __, and __ 3 things you need
Line 7: Who gives __, __, and __3 objects you share
Line 8: Who fears__, __, and __3 items
Line 9: Who'd like to see, __1 place, or person
Line 10: Who dreams of __ 1 item or idea
Line 11: A student of__ your school or teacher's name
Line 12: __ Nickname or repeat your first name

Ballad:

Ballads are poems that tell a story similar to a folk tale or legend.
They are often used in songs and have a very musical quality to them.
Ballads are supposed to rhyme.
Feel free to experiment, but it should have a smooth, song-like sound when you speak it aloud.

Examples:

Cat's in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away, but his smile never dimmed,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, dad?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I'm proud of you.
Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?"
"I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired and my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got the flu,
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you."

And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Antonio
by Laura Richards

Antonio, Antonio

Was tired of living alonio.

He thought he would woo

Miss Lissamy Lu,

Miss Lissamy Lucy Molonio.

Antonio, Antonio,

Rode off on his polo-ponio.

He found the fair maid

In a bowery shade,

A-sitting and knitting alonio.

Antonio, Antonio,

Said, "If you will be my ownio,

I'll love you true,

And I'll buy for you

An icery creamery conio!"

Oh, Nonio, Antonio!

You're far too bleak and bonio!

And all that I wish,

You singular fish,

Is that you will quickly begonio."

Antonio, Antonio,

He uttered a dismal moanio;

Then he ran off and hid

(Or I'm told that he did)

In the Antecatarctical Zonio.

Teacher: Ballad Activity Lesson Plan
Now it's your turn to retell an event in history, in the news, or in your life as a ballad.
You will want the ballad to rhyme.

or

Create your own Ballad of King Tut. First read some history about him here.
Then, just for fun... Click here to see Steve Martin's ballad of King Tut.

Now it's time to write your own Ballad of King Tut.

Cinquain:

Cinquains have five lines
Line 1: Title (noun) - 1 word
Line 2: Description - 2 words
Line 3: Action - 3 words
Line 4: Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Line 5: Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word

Examples are:

Create a Wacky Web Tale Cinquain here.

Teacher: Activity Lesson Plan

HAIKU:
Haiku is Japanese poetry that reflects on nature and feelings.
You use your observation skills to write what you see in a new or different way.
There are three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second, and five syllables in the third. (You really don't have to stick exactly to this.)

What am I? Haiku riddles:
The writer uses the Haiku to describe something. The other children in the class can then attempt to guess what the poet was describing after listening to or reading the Haiku.

Examples:

Green and speckled legs,
Hop on logs and lily pads
Splash in cool water.

In a pouch I grow,
On a southern continent --
Strange creatures I know.

Visit Haiku Writing Worksheet

Visit Haiku for People

More Poetry: Click here.