This summer, I enjoyed teaching a Summer Online Poetry class. The students did a wonderful job, and I would love to showcase some of their work so you may see examples of the poetry tools we covered in our class.
Day #1: End Line Rhyme: Rhyme at the End of a Line
Syllables Leading to Rhythm
We practiced these concepts with "riddle poems," so that we could explore rhythm and end line rhyme in a way that wasn't too intimidating. A four line poem with AABB or ABAB is pretty easy to do when you find a topic that you can easily write about! Enjoy these samples:
This summer treat is fresh and cold. A 8
It’s sold to you with a cup to hold. A 9
This really can’t taste any better. B 9
If you don’t get it on your sweater. B 9
What is this?
Ice cream!
By Emily, 5th grade
Jump in this thing when you want to be cool, (A) (10)
Not with head first or you’ll be such a fool, (A) (10)
When you come out you will want to be dry, (B) (10)
But if you don’t float then you just might die! (B) (10)
What is it?
Answer : It’s a pool!
By Leo, 6th grade
Day #2: Onomatopoeia: When Words Sound Like Their Meaning
This is a wonderful poetic tool. Poetry is meant to be shared aloud, and adding onomatopoeia to poetry allows the reader to experience the SOUNDS of your subject matter. Enjoy these two samples by Vivian (5th grade). She wrote a beautiful poem, and then for fun, added onomatopoeia to a Riddle Poem!
Lakeside Scene
The glistening lake glitters calm and wise,
Sprinkle, splash! A myriad of droplets fly.
Water laps by the grassy bank of the lake,
Whoosh! The miniature waterfalls rush.
Hiss! A nearby grass snake is coiled alertly,
He flicks his tongue in and out of his mouth.
Riddle Poetry
This soft-furred creature is gentle and kind,
Meow and purr are the words it can find.
It can stalk with stealth and can sneak about too.
There aren’t many limits to what it can do!
What is it?
(Answer: Cat)
Day #3: Alliteration: When words start with the same sound
This tool makes poetry sound fun and memorable. Enjoy these beautiful samples!
You see it in seas,
Do drink it when you’re thirsty,
The flowing fantastic liquid,
The basic clear blue liquid,
You have to have had it.
It comes in all forms,
Cool and hot,
Ice or steam,
On planet earth you should be grateful for water.
(Did you notice how Leo's (6th grade) poem took the form of a goblet? So cool!)
Day #4: Repetition and Internal Line Rhyme
We covered two concepts in one day, and the students did awesome! Repetition helps drive home key images we want our reader to see, and internal line rhyme is just a really cool sounding tool. It was our most challenging one to try, we all agreed!
I see red leaves
I see dead leaves
I see many leaves in a leaf pile during Autumn
There are yellow leaves
And mellow leaves
Green leaves
And unseen leaves
We’ll jump in the leaves
Play with the leaves
Till the end of the day
We’ll rake up the leaves
And take a break from playing with leaves
By Emily (5th grade)
Day #5: Try It All! On our last day, we tried to use all 5 poetic tools. The students produced beautiful poems! Can you spot all 5 tools we learned?
Summer!
Running around the yard
Playing with poker cards
Jump into the pool
Splash, Splash!
Floating in the pool
Swimming in the pool
Have a great time!
Playing with fun rhymes
Dancing with Chloe
Playing with Choe
Swimming with Chloe,
Having an amazing time.
By Jessie (5th grade)
Cat, By Leo (6th grade)
This
Creature
Like a ninja, it can climb crazily quick,
Like a ninja, it’s freakily fast,
And its abilities are very vast,
It also has a coat of disguise,
“Meow Meow!” it rises with its battle cries!
With nine lives it never dies,
And with a whoosh it flies,
But our furry friend
Is
Mostly
Used
To
Play.
The Mythical Phoenix
by Vivian (5th grade)
Red and gold signify this outstanding creature,
It is bold and strong and nature has truly been its teacher.
Whoosh! It dives with grace and speed,
Other animals move aside to let it take lead.
Pop! Crackle! Flames spiral toward the sky,
A trail of fire follows as its wings spread to fly.
The other animals bow and chant, chant and bow,
And they continue to bow, chant, chant, bow.
Sing praise of the Phoenix to the clouds above,
And on the tall old trees, heard by the messenger dove.
A ribbon of tail feathers spread,
Following the Phoenix wherever it decides to tread.
And folks say “To the sun the Phoenix is a son”,
And forever the Phoenix will live on!
The Library
There is a place full of books about babbling brookes and books about hooks...
It lights up your mind even from behind.
Books books they’re everywhere you look,
Books books they’re everywhere you turn,
Look look open that book what will you find?
A knight in shining armor?
A kite named Parker McArthur?
But please look out for Mrs. MacCarter!
The scary librarian who lives by the harbor!!
She’ll “shush” you and “hush” you if you make a sound!!!
Come to a place full of dreams and wonder..
The theme is never the same…
By Emily (5th grade)
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