Thankful Poetry- The Five Senses

 The concept of using sensory details in our writing has been a theme this year, and of course is also very applicable to poetry! After studying the style of Ivy O. Eastwick's "Thanksgiving," we attempted to write our own poetry focusing on things we are thankful for. We aimed for a nice mix of nature/harvest themes and modern conveniences. Rhyming was optional; I loved it when my students tried! Enjoy these samples from across the grades!

My Five Senses, by Emma (2nd grade)

Thank you for all my hands can hold,

Little bugs, small but bold.

Thank you for all my eyes can see,

Tiny birds, all so free.

Thank you for all my ears can hear,

Lovely songs so pretty, there are no tears!

Thank you for all my nose can smell,

Pumpkin pie always glows.

Thank you for all my tongue can taste,

Yummy pie, not a waste!

Thankful, by Jilly (5th grade)

Thank you for all my hands can hold

Soft puppies

and the fresh marigolds

Oh all the things I'm blessed to hold.

Thank you for all my eyes can see

the golden sunlight

Blinding me

I smile at it, it smiles at me.

Thank you for all my nose can smell

My mom's cooking that I know so well,

and the apple sauce

made from apples that just fell.

Thank you for all my ears can hear

The birds calling to me

Migrating to where the eye can't see,

but not me.

Thank you for all my tongue can taste

Food at my house never goes to waste.

Fresh mint tea,

A honey from a bee.

Thanksgiving, by Penn (5th grade)

Thank you for all my hands can touch.

My dog's fur that I love so much.

Soothes my hands, you can see.

You should try it, He He He!

Thank you for all my eyes can see.

Autumn leaves mean so much to me

Hear them crunching, see them there,

Gracefully drifting through the air.

Thank you for all my ears can hear.

Engines roar far and near.

Jet planes are just for me.

My obsession you can see.

Thank you for all my nose can smell

Christmas fern that I know so well.

The Christmas spirit in the air,

You can smell it everywhere.

Thank you for all my tongue can taste.

Chips and salsa never go to waste.

Unlike toothpaste, that's not that great.

Apple pie, I can not wait!

Thanksgiving, by Grayson (6th grade)

Thank you for all that I can hold

So many emotions

Shy and bold,

So many things that I can feel,

All of them I know are real.

Thank you for all my tongue can taste,

Pumpkin pie filled with orange paste,

Mac 'n' Cheese so delicious and smooth,

Every anger this stuff can soothe.

Thank you for all that I can see,

Brothers, Parents, and all family,

Autumn leaves fall off the tree,

There's no other place I'd rather be.

Thank you for all that I can hear,

People talking, far and near,

The oven sings its low-toned song,

One, I wish to sing along.

Thank you for all that I can smell,

A beautiful dinner, dessert baked well,

Ice cream, pies, cakes, and more.

That is what I'm thankful for.

Thanksgiving Poetry

 My online classes recently enjoyed a poetry writing lesson.  The theme was "Thanksgiving" and the five senses.  What are we thankful for in our day-to-day lives that we can see, hear, feel, touch, and smell?  Some of my students attempted to rhyme; others just went with the words on paper, not worrying about rhyme.  Poetry is meant to be felt, and heard.  Read these poems aloud, and enjoy!

Thanksgiving, by Kevin (6th grade)

I am thankful for what my eyes can see,

Every animal, human, sunrise, and tree.

 For the dark blue ocean with the little fish,

And the food my mom cooks; each and every dish.

I am thankful for what I can hear,

The laughter of children from the playground I am near,

For the music playing on the radio,

And the music I play on the piano.

I am thankful for what my hands can touch,

For the tanbark in the playground, but not too much,

For basketballs and soccer balls,

And for the giant tree way too tall.

I am thankful for what my nose can smell,

Freshly cooked food coming from the kitchen I know so well.

For the salty scent of the beautiful sea

And for the scent of pine in the forest trees.

I am thankful for what my tongue can taste,

Donuts, sugar, rice, and toothpaste

For the food my mom cooks every day,

And for the food she gets from restaurants.  Yay!

Thanksgiving, by Claire (6th grade)

Thank you for all that I can see

Clear blue skies and 

Swaying trees

The dances of the dandelions

The buzzing of bees

Thank you for all that I can hear

The trickle of a gentle stream

Thuds of falling rain

Soft pads of neighborhood cats

Moans of the swishing wind’s pain

Thank you for all that I can feel

The warmth of sun’s rays against my skin

Roughness of playground bark

The crunch of leaves beneath my feet

How love can light the dark

Thank you for all that I can smell

The scent of air before a storm

The humid atmosphere

Stench of smoke left over from fires

Sweat of volunteers

Thank you for all that I can taste

Lusciousness of bright red strawberries

Ripeness of fresh-picked pears

A mug of steaming hot apple cider

Sweetness of gummy bears

Thanksgiving, by Jessie (4th grade)

I am thankful for my sight, and for reading good  book,

 the beautiful flowers, and their good looks

       I am thankful for being able to hear calm soothing voices , 

the sound of cheerful piano music and the rustle of nature noises.

I am thankful for my touch, like smooth cold surfaces, 

flowy straight long unbraided hair, 

touch of nature, and the clothes we wear.

  I am thankful for my smell, like fragrant roses, soup on the stove, 

and the smell of tree groves.

I am thankful for my taste, like my grandma’s chicken soup, 

plain, but fresh water, warm milk, soft fruit,

 a healthy salad made with some shallot.

Gratefulness

By Vivian (4th grade) 

I am grateful for the things I can see-

The blue sky, stretching across the horizon,

The soft fluffy clouds, imitating cotton candy,

Leaves, blowing and rustling in the wind.

I am grateful for the things I can hear-

The eerie howl of a calm wolf,

The quiet buzz and hum of a busy bee,

The wind whistling through the dense trees.

I am grateful for the things I can feel-

The silky fur of playful puppies,

The slight breeze changing directions,

The fragile petals of a blooming rose.

I am grateful for the things I can smell-

The tropical scent of a remote rainforest,

The aroma of a sweet meadow,

The smell of earthy, rich soil.

I am grateful for the things I can taste-

Fresh air entering my lungs, 

Sweet fruit juices squeezed by hand, 

The delicious flavor of holiday dishes.

I am grateful for many things.

Thanksgiving Poems

     After wonderful discussions on all that we are thankful for, both the "Budding" and "Awesome" classes were guided through focusing on the five senses and writing a poem that showed all of the important things they are thankful for.  Enjoy these samples!

Thank you 
for all my hands can hold--
sweet candy,
teddy bear stuffy,
my kittens,
my little brother,
and sparkly pens.

Thank you
for all my eyes can see--
my hands,
Disneyland,
my hair,
my school,
and my toys.

Thank you 
for all my ears can hear--
funny jokes,
wind moving,
hummingbirds,
kids playing,
and my iPad.

by Katherine (1st grade)


Thank you
for all my hands can hold--
pandas soft,
blankets warm,
delicate flowers,
soft covered books,
and my family's heart.

Thank you
for all my eyes can see--
unique family,
a clean environment,
glorious bible,
gigantic waves crashing to the shore,
and inspiring teachers.

Thank you
for all my ears can hear--
my family's great laughter,
an enthusiastic "I love you!"
unique birds singing in the dead of night,
the laughter of my friends,
and my sister singing nice and softly.

by Carissa (2nd grade)


Thank you 
for all my hands can hold--
in my bed
with stories told
parent hugs
all warm and tight
drawing and sketching
in the light.

Thank you 
for all my eyes can see--
leafy beds
dancing in the breeze
cotton candy
floating in the sky
pretty flower beds
birds that fly.

Thank you
for all my ears can hear--
rustling trees
sounds in my ear
water trickling
my mother calling me
sparrows singing
chatter of my family.

by Jennifer, 5th grade

Claire (4th grade) went the extra mile and focused on ALL FIVE SENSES in this beautiful poem!

Thank you 
For all my hands can hold-
Ice cubes cold,
My mother's hand
So warm and nice
The falling leaves
A blanket to mice.

Thank you
For all my eyes can see-
Exquisite bluebells
Wind and sea,
My father's face
So kind and old
The stories which
My grandma told.

Thank you 
For all my ears can hear-
Blowing breezes
At the end of the year
My grandpa's voice
So loud and sweet
Swirling footsteps
As my family meets.

Thank you 
For all my nose can smell-
Baking cookies
That taste so swell
The morning dew
So fresh and clear
My nanny's mushrooms
When they're near.

Thank you
For all my tongue can taste-
Delicious muffins
Baked in haste
Steaming white rice
My favorite kind
Rows of sushi
Neatly lined.

Thankful Poems

ALLITERATION!  That was the theme of our poetry lesson when we wrote about Thanksgiving.  Alliteration is when two or more words close together start with the same sound.  Alliteration makes poetry sound super!  Rhyming was optional, but the students had to think of words and phrases that were meaningful about Thanksgiving, and also include some examples of alliteration.  Enjoy these fabulous poems!

T is for turkey and taking walks,
   And Thanksgiving treats and thankful talks.

H is for happiness and heart,
    And hosting parties, now let's start!

A is for autumn and love all around,
   Eating apple pie, and leaves on the ground.

N is for nuts and new things,
    And nice turkey that people bring.

K is for kitchens and leaves that go crunch,
   And cranberries and cookies that I love to munch.

S is for my special school,
   And spectacular cider that's sweet and cool.

~Sienna, 2nd grade


T is for trying your best and for terrific times.

H is for helpfulness and happiness.

A is for aunts and uncles and apple pie.

N is for nice things and for yummy nuts.

K is for kindness and Kendal and Cassie kisses and caring for others.

S is for sisters and brothers and for super times.

~ Sophia, 3rd grade


T is for terrific turkey and treats
   to eat when the family meets.

H is for holiday happiness by the hearth
    And giving thanks for the earth.

A is for absolutely amazing apple pie that I adore.

N is for November nights
    when people are taking many bites.

K is for caring and curious cousins that are very creative.

S is for cider, stuffing, and soup for a spectacular supper.

~ Adeline, 3rd grade


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!  I am thankful for my wonderful students!