More Poetry!

Since my strongest area of creative writing is fiction, Ive been predominantly focused on having
the kids write stories. But its very important that they get a more balanced experience of what
creative writing really is, so I want to continue with the focus on poetry!
Instead of focusing on ust one type of poem, as with the !imerick, I want to touch on a few
other styles and have the kids pick the one they most want to do.
"ocus points#
$riginality, creativity, description, and word%choice.
Cinquain
&nother super simple poem that Im sure at least some of the kids have probably learned in
school. I want to get the kids thinking about words and concision. 'his could be about anything,
but Ill give the example of writing a cin(uain about a friend or loved one, since it might be the
easiest way to get the kids really feeling the poems. 'he cin(uains structure is also really easy to
remember! )o special attention to rhyming either.
!ine*# )oun+"riends )ame+,elative
!ine-# .escription of the noun, - words
!ine/# &ction, / 0ing words
!ine1# 2hrase, 1 words
!ine3# Synonym for !ine*
4ulie
Brave, Intelligent
5aring, loving, hugging
6y true role model
6om
Acrostics
&nother super easy type of poem that I am sure the kids are familiar with. I will encourage them
to use their imaginations and come up with something really original. 5an be pretty, silly,
imaginary, or inspired by life! I will give them the choice of either choosing their own word, or I
will give them one if they want. 'he idea with the acrostic poems is to try and string an idea
together with a word. &void ust writing words that start with letters#
7ood#
. astardly li8ard
, aging and stomping
& round because some
7 uy snuck into his lair
$ n top of a mountain and
) ipped his bag of candy!
)ot as good#
. anger
, ed
& ngry
7 uarding
$ h no.
) ightmare.
Color Poems
'his poem is a little more in depth and re(uires some more thinking. 2ossibly a better choice for
an older child who is more experienced with poetry. .efinitely okay for anyone to try though!
5hoose a color and write a poem about it using the five senses. 'he lines are set up so that the
poem becomes metaphoric.
!ooks like
Sounds like
Smells like
"eels like
'astes like
9xample#
7reen
7reen is the color of a bright prickly caterpillar moseying down the sidewalk
7reen is the sound of the wind rustling through the budding trees
7reen is the smell of a ripe sour apple
7reen is the taste of sugar snap peas
7reen is the feeling of the grass between the toes