Definition Poetry



Definition Poetry

A Definition Poem is a free verse poem about a single concept. Begin the poem with "What is...? Here is an Example:

What is Courage?

beating up a bully,

taking home a bad report card,

tattling on a friend,

wearing something weird to school,

tackling in football!

Here are some topics from which a poem might be written. There are many others:

Fear,adults, war friendship brother/sister/mother/father school happiness night love

loneliness weather (cold, hot, etc.) seasons (winter, summer, etc.) sports (baseball, football, etc.) holidays (Christmas, Halloween, etc.)

Couplets of a Different Kind

Instead of writing regular two lined rhyming couplets, have children try their hand at writing some according to the following formats:

Geographical Couplet example:

To Indianapolis I was driving my car,

Reached Minneapolis, OOPS! Too far!

Antonym Couplet example:

You used to be a small shrimp,

Now look at you, you're as big as a blimp!

Synonym Couplet example:

The sparkling stars are such a sight,

They gleam with beauty all through the night.

Compound Word Couplet example:

The lighthouse's beam is shiny and bright,

It guides the sailboats safely through the night.

Clerihews

 Clerihews are funny rhyming poems of four short lines, usually associated with a famous person.

Example:Jimmy Carter

Would have been a lot smarter,

Had he not let brother Billy roam

And sent him back to the peanut farm at home!

Choose a famous person and create a four lined poem about him/her. The first and second lines should rhyme as well as the third and fourth.

Emotion Poem

Choose any emotion as a subject. (happy,angry,love,nervous,jealous,etc.)

Line 1: Emotion

Line 2: If ___ were a color,

Line 3: It would be __

Line 4: As __ as a __.

Line 5: If __ were a taste,

Line 6: It would be just like ___.

Line 7: If __ were a feeling,.

Line 8: It would be __ as a ____.

Line 9: If ___ were a smell,

Line 10: It would be ___ as a ___.

Line 11: If ____ were a sound,

Line 12: It would be ___ as a ____.

Example:

If happy were a color,

It would be blue.

As blue as a sky on a sunny day.

If happy were a taste,

It would be as sweet as honey melting in your mouth.

If happy were a feeling,

It would be exciting as your first step must have been.

If happy were a smell,

It would be as wonderful as brownies baking in the oven.

If happy were a sound,

It would be as soft as tinkling keys on a piano.

[pic]

Hello Poem

The easiest way to start is with an example:

Hello!

My name is Mark.

If I were a color,

I'd be light blue

Like the sky on a bright summer day.

If I were an animal,

I'd be something fast and powerful,

Like a prowling tiger or maybe a cheetah.

My favorite place is home

When it's a relaxing weekend

And we can just enjoy each other.

My favorite snack is a hot fudge sundae

The extra large size with lots of gooey topping

from the ice cream store on the corner.

I really get upset

When there's a football game on TV

And my dad says, "Isn't it time you mowed the lawn?"

I love listening to rock and roll music

When my folks aren't around

To complain.

Pattern: This can be modified any way that fits your needs!

Hello!

My name is ___

If I were a color,

I'd be ____

Like _____.

If I were an animal,

I'd be ____

Like a ____.

My favorite place is ___.

When ____

And ____.

My favorite snack is ___,

the _____

______.

I really get upset

When___

And I have to _____.

I love listening to ____

When _____

_____.

[pic]

Color Poem

Once again, it's easier to start with an example:

Yellow, yellow, hello yellow!

Welcome to a bright hot sun.

Yellow, yellow, let's yell for yellow!

Juicy lemons,

Banana peels,

A singing canary in a cage,

The plastic ruler in my desk,

Yellow crayons in the box.

Yeah, let's hear it for yellow!

The form is easy and can be adapted in any way.

____,_____, hello ____!(color)

Welcome to ________.(something that color)

____, ______, let's _____ for _______!(color, verb)

________ _________(something that color),

_________ ________,

etc. (as many as the child wants to write)

Yeah, let's hear it for _____(color)!

Karen is a 5'2" girl

With blond hair and hazel eyes

She lives in Tampa, FL

She walks every night for exercise

She is really happy most of the time

She feels glad when the weekend rolls around

She eats cheeseburgers with lots of onions and pickles

Her friends are joy, hope, and loyalty

Her enemy is intolerance

She is grateful to be healthy and happy

Here is the form:

____ is a _____

With _______

____lives in ____

He/She _____ (movement)

He/She is _____(emotion)

He/She feels _____

He/She eats ____

His/Her friends are _____(2 or three)

His/Her enemy is _____

He/She is grateful ___

[pic]

The Most Beautiful

This is a one-sentence poem in which a word picture is painted by the poet.

An example first:

The most beautiful thing

I've ever seen

was a bromeliad

with long drooping leaves

and a bright red flower.

By William

Pattern:

The most beautiful thing

I've ever seen

was ____

_________

______________. (illustrations make these poems especially lovely for bulletin board display)

[pic]

Window Poem

This is a poem inspired by a picture one might take of a special view or place, or just simply looking out of the window.

Example:

A dark and threatening sky

may hold a thunderstorm and a shower or two

Birds flutter all around.

The wind begins tossing the leaves about.

Rain starts tap-dancing on the windowpanes.

Pattern:

Lines 1 and 2: Two part sentence about what is seen

Lines 3,4, and 5: Sentences relating to the first line

Holiday Poetry

Choose a holiday that you really like, and write a poem about it. Here is the format:

Line 1: Name of holiday

Line 2: Something you see on this holiday

Line 3: Something you smell on this holiday

Line 4: Something you hear on this holiday

Line 5: Something you taste on this holiday

Line 6: Something you touch on this holiday

Line 7: Name of holiday

Example:

Fourth of July

Flags of red, white, and blue

Barbecued chicken on the grill

Sparkling fireworks and noisy firecrackers

Juicy red watermelon

A bright shooting sparkler in my hand

Fourth of July

[pic]

When is Halloween?

Here is an example:

When is Halloween?

When scary pumpkins glow,

And spooky witches fly

When ghostly mummies dance,

And black cats lurk in the shadows,

Children go trick-or-treating

While ghosts are haunting houses!

Then it's Halloween!

Here is the pattern:

When is Halloween?

When ___(adj., noun, verb)

And ____(adj., noun, verb)

When ____(adj., noun, verb)

And ___(adj.,noun, verb, prep. phrase)

____(noun, verb)

While ___ (noun,verb, noun)

Then it's Halloween!

[pic]

I am Waiting

This is somewhat like the last one, but it can be adapted to any holiday or even a child's birthday! Here is one written by a second grader:

I am waiting for . . .

doors to squeak open

bowls filled with candy

ghosts to pop out and say "Boo!"

witches to ride across the sky on their brooms

skeletons to rattle in their graves

trick-or-treating night with LOTS of candy

Then I'll know

Halloween is here!

[pic]

A-Haunting we will go

Write two or three verses to this old song using Halloween words. Here is an example:

A-haunting we will go,

A-haunting we will go,

We'll catch a ghoul

And throw him in the pool

A-haunting we will go!

A-haunting we will go,

A-haunting we will go,

We'll catch a witch

And give her a pitch

A-haunting we will go!

[pic]

Halloween Countdown

This is simply a rhymed countdown with Halloween symbols. Below is the example:

There are ten spiders in the kitchen drawer,

There are nine bats flying in the sky,

There are eight skeletons dancing on the floor,

There are seven witches flying ever so high,

There are six pumpkins sitting by the door,

There are five cats chasing some poor guy,

There are four monsters going to the store,

There are three goblins waving good-bye,

There are two ghosts waiting for cider to pour,

There is one vampire who might cry.

[pic]

The Week Before Halloween

(Could also be used for other holidays)

This is somewhat like the poem above only using days of the week to start. Here is an example:

I knew Halloween was coming because. . .

On Sunday I saw one bat flying in the sky,

On Monday I saw two witches repairing their brooms,

On Tuesday I saw three vampires at the dentist,

On Wednesday I saw I saw four black cats stalking some mice,

On Thursday I saw five jack-o'-lanterns grinning in the dark,

On Friday I saw six werewolves in the moonlight,

On Saturday I saw seven skeletons dancing down the street.

I told you Halloween was coming!

[pic]

Thanksgiving Song of Thanks

This is simply a song of praise in which the child finishes statements with phrases of his/her choice. Here is the form:

Thank you for eyes that see . . .

Thank you for my ears that hear

Thank you for my mouth that tastes

Thank you for hands that feel

Thank you for my nose that smells

Thank you God for everything!

Here is an example: (shortened - 4 or 5 phrases are asked but this may be modified)

Thank you for eyes that see . . .

my loving family,

all my friends,

my teachers at school

and a lovely sunset.

Thank you for my ears that hear. . .

birds singing in the trees,

rain dancing on the roof

my baby sister giggling,

and mother and daddy singing.

Thank you for my mouth that tastes . . .

pumpkin pie with whipped cream

the many flavors of ice cream

steak on the grill

and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

Thank you for my hands that feel . . .

my mom's soft hands

the pages of a long book

a soft warm bed at night

and my new puppies.

Thank you for a nose that smells. . .

roses in the backyard,

brownies baking in the oven

brand new shoes

and the outdoors after the rain.

Thank you God for everything!

[pic]

I Like the Colors of Christmas

The world is filled with colors during this season. Red and green always come to mind, but there are many others! Below is an example of a Christmas color poem. It can be adapted in any way to meet your needs.

I like the colors of Christmas,

Red for the nose on Santa's face,

Blue is the ribbon on a package,

Green is the tree so tall and bright

Silver is the tinsel hanging down so low

Gold is the treetop angel,

I like the colors of Christmas!

[pic]

An Old Rhyme

(suitable for Valentine's Day)

Read the following poem.

I love you little.

I love you lots.

My love for you would fill ten pots,

Fifteen buckets,

Sixteen cans,

Three teacups,

And four dishpans.

Note the special rhyming pattern of this poem. Here is one written by a student using the same pattern:

I love you little.

I love you lucky.

My love for you would fill Kentucky,

Six jugs,

Seven cars,

Twenty buildings,

And a hundred concrete bars.

[pic]

Mother's Day

(can be adapted to Father's Day)

My Mom

This is a simile poem where the child may have the choice of which ones to use. It can be just a couple of verses or many. Here is an example:

My mom

as sweet as a Hershey chocolate bar,

as energetic as Richard Simmons,

as smart as Albert Einstein.

She has

hair as red as a beautiful sunset on the beach,

eyes that sparkle like stars,

a smile as broad as the Grand Canyon,

cheeks as rosy as a bright new day!

My mom

[pic]

Mother by the Numbers

This is simply a count to ten about things that Mother does.

Here is an example:

One little mother

Two children to watch over

Three beds to make

Four loads of laundry to do

Five errands to run

Six pairs of pants to hem

Seven rooms to clean

Eight bills to pay

Nine shirts to iron

Ten groceries to buy

Then she does it all over again!

[pic]

The ABC's of Mother

Simply use the alphabet to write phrases about Mother. This would make a nice card to send to her for Mother's Day. Here is a partial example:

A lways on the go

B est cook in the world

C an do almost anything

D oes five things at once

E xcellent organizer

F ixes things around the house

[pic]

Mother and Me

There are things that we wish our mother would do, but on Mother's Day, we certainly can think of things that we should do for her! This is one child's example:

Sometimes I wish my mother would . . .

let me stay up as late as I wanted,

wouldn't make me clean my room,

not say,"Eat your broccoli!"

or remind me to do my homework.

On the other hand, I could . . .

go to bed on time without complaining,

clean my room without being asked,

eat all the food on my plate,

do my homework with a smile.

Well, at least on Mother's Day!

The Five W's Poem

Who? What? When? Where? Why? Use these questions to write a non-rhyming poem. Here's how:

Line 1: Who or what is the poem about

Line 2: What action is happening?

Line 3: When does the action take place? (a time)

Line 4: Where does the action take place? (a place)

Line 5: Why does this action happen? (a reason)

Example:

The laughing children

Splashing in the water

On a hot July day

At the neighborhood swimming pool

To just try and keep cool

[pic]

Parody

This parody is a comical or humorous one based on a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. Minor changes are made to the original poem. Here are some examples:

There was an old woman

Who was very lazy

She had so many kids

She thought she'd go crazy!

Humpty Dumpty

Was quite tough

He could even play sports

That were very rough!

[pic]

Rhythm Poetry

This is an easy poem to write because it follows such a definite pattern. It's a good one to use when studying adjectives! Any subject can be used as the main idea. Here is an example:

Friends, Friends, Friends

Girl friends

Boy friends

Neat, smart, funny friends

Short, tall, cool friends

Those are just a few!

Happy friends

Sad friends

Awesome, peppy, enthusiastic friends

Poor, lonely, upset friends

Weird friends too!

Thoughtful friends

Kind friends

And don't forget your teacher friends!

Last of all

Best of all

I like BEST friends!

Here is the pattern:

adj. noun

adj. noun

adj.,adj., adj. noun

adj., adj., adj. noun

Those are just a few!

adj. noun

adj. noun

adj., adj., adj. noun

adj., adj., adj. noun

adj. noun too!

adj. noun

adj. noun

And don't forget (adj.) noun

Last of all

Best of all

I like (adj.) noun!

[pic]

Acrostic

Everyone has done an acrostic poem at one time or another by using the first letter of a word or phrase and completing a sentence that fits the beginning letter. They are often used spelling the name of a holiday such as the one below.

C arolers singing under the street lights

H olly wrapped around a wreath

R eady to open gifts from Santa

I cicles hanging on the tree

S anta's reindeer on the roof

T urkey roasting in the oven

M other running to and fro

A ngel sparkling on the treetop

S miles all around

For variety, an acrostic can be used in other subject areas such as science for endangered animals, weather, etc. Children can write an acrostic for a particular state or country. They can also be used as a comprehension tool. Spelling out the name of the book or story read and using the title as an acrostic will challenge children to be specific in creating sentences to go with the letters. Sometimes we can't limit them to using the letter as the initial one, but somewhere within the sentence or phrase such as the following:

Was A lumberjack (this phrase was used for the A in Paul Bunyan written as an acrostic)

Telephone Poem

This poem is to be written using your telephone number as a guide. Write your telephone number, then a line of poetry next to each number. Each line of the poem has the same number of syllables as shown by the telephone number. You can also choose a subject from which to write your poem. (summer, football, etc.)

Example:

8 If you need someone to talk to

7 Or you're all alone at home

9 If you want to joke or just gossip

0

1 Call!

3 I'll be home

9 We can do our homework together!

[pic]

Number Fact Rap

When children are learning their basic number facts and have any difficulty mastering a particular table, sometimes it's fun for them to create a "rap rhyme" to help them remember! Here is an example by Mackenzie:

8 x1 is really great

because the answer is the number eight.

8 x 2= sixteen,

Isn't that the greatest thing you've ever seen?

8 x 3 gets you twenty-four,

Isn't it too bad it doesn't do a chore?

32 is what you get from eight times four,

Get a little closer, and I'll tell you some more!

8 x 5= 40 and 8 x 6 = forty-eight,

Hurry up and learn them, don't be late.

8 x 7= 56. Know why?

That's what happens when you multiply!

8 x 8= sixty-four,

Please don't walk out the door.

8 x 9 = seventy-two,

This number is so smart it can tie its shoe.

80 is what you get from 8 x 10,

Soon we can do this rap again!

A Cinquain is a five lined poem. Here is an example:

Spider

Furry, black

Climbing, spinning, weaving

They make an intricate web

Tarantula

The form is as follows:

Line 1: Subject

Line 2: two describing words

Line 3: -ing words about what the subject does

Line 4: a sentence about the subject

Line 5: another name for the subject

[pic]

 The most common form of a Diamante poem is the seven lined version. This form is written about two opposite subjects and makes a comparison between them by moving from one to the other. Subjects might include war-peace, fire-ice, hot-cold, etc. Here is the model for writing such a poem:

Line 1: one noun that names the first subject of the diamonte

Line 2: two adjectives that describe the first subject

Line 3: three -ing words that are related to the first subject

Line 4: four nouns: the first two related to the first subject (named in line 1) and the second two related to the second subject (named in line 7)

Line 5: three -ing words that are related to the second subject

Line 6: two adjectives that describe the second subject

Line 7: one noun that names the second subject of the diamante

Here is an example:

Dogs,

playful, active

running, playing, growing

fast, fun, soft, nice

sleeping, meowing, eating

furry, whiskery

Cats

by Andrew

[pic]

 Haiku is an unrhymed Japanese poem with three lines and a specific syllable pattern. Haiku's theme is usually nature.

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

Here is an example:

An old silent pond

From leaf to leaf hops a frog

Looking for a meal

[pic]

A Triplet is a poem of three lines. Most often the three lines rhyme. Some triplets have only two rhymed lines with different patterns.

Example: 3 rhyming lines

Football is the game for me

The stadium is a great place to be

Touchdowns are what I like to see.

 

Example: 2 rhyming lines

Down by the lake,

Grandpa and I drop a line

Then have lots of fish to take

[pic]

A Limerick is a very short but funny poem. There is a rhyme and rhythm pattern that makes it flow smoothly. Here is an example:

There once was a tycoon from New York

Who thought he could eat all foods with a fork;

Ice cream gave him some trouble

His problem seemed to double

When he tried sipping champagne from the cork!

The form is as follows:

Lines 1, 2, and 5: rhyme and have eight to ten syllables

Lines 3 and 4: rhyme and have five to seven syllables

SENYRU

Senyru is a 3 lined Japanese poem that uses more general subjects than Haiku. It is not restricted to 17 syllables either. Here is an example:

Fog is a misty kind of a thing

It swirls through the trees

And usually sleeps on the lake.

[pic]

TANKA

A tanka is quite similar to Japanese haiku, but consists of a total of 31 syllables distributed as follows:

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

Line 4: 7 syllables

Line 5: 7 syllables

They are usually written with nature or mood in mind. Here is an example:

The birds are chirping

Quietly in the forest

Watching for some worms

To appear after the rain

Oh, so patiently they wait.

[pic]

LANTERN

A lantern is a light and airy Japanese poem that follows a syllabic pattern as follows:

Line 1: one syllable (noun)

Line 2: two syllables (describing noun)

Line 3: three syllables (describing noun)

Line 4: four syllables (describing noun)

Line 5: one syllable (another word for the noun in line one)

They may be written in the shape of a Japanese lantern.

Here is an example:

boys

tackling

running fast

scoring touchdowns

lads

[pic]

CHAIN LANTERNS

Chain lanterns are simply groups of lantern poems that are joined together.The pattern of syllables is the same (1,2,3,4,1) and the chain should be at least three verses long. Some chains are longer! In this case, the first and last lines need not be synonyms. Here is an example:

Some

little

kitten purrs

gently by the

fire.

Sleep

comes quite

easily

to a drowsy

one.

Soon

she will

be dreaming

of a big fat

mouse!

[pic]

SIJO

A sijo is a poem with a specific pattern of syllables. They are as follows:

Six lines

six to eight syllables in each line

forty-two to forty-eight syllables in all

Here is an example:

Many boats are in the harbor

On this bright and sunny day!

Waiting for a crew to arrive

To prepare them for a run

Sails will be billowing

Wind will carry them all away.

If Only Poem

An If Only poem is one that honors a very special person. It can be written about a family member, a friend, or anyone fitting the above description. The following example was written for our school nurse:

Mrs. Glass

Busy but caring

Treats you kindly

As friendly as a puppy

I wish she didn't have to give us all that medicine!

Here is the form:

Line 1: Names a special person

Line 2: Write two descriptive words separated by "and" or "but"

Line 3: Tell what the person does and how

Line 4: Write a simile using "as"

Line 5: Write a wish

(Each line begins with a capital letter, and the last line ends with either a period or an exclamation point)

[pic]

Simile poetry is a descriptive poem about the writer. The child may write four lined poems of one or two verses which need not rhyme. Here is an example:

I am as gentle as a purring kitten.

I am as friendly as a puppy.

I am as colorful as a rainbow.

I am as frisky as a squirrel.

I am as fast as a thoroughbred.

I am as fresh as newly baked bread.

I am as brave as a soldier.

And I am as smart as Einstein.

[pic]

A Noun Verse is a patterned poem of four lines. They should be pleasant poems that lend themselves to many different subjects.

Here is an example:

Butterflies

delicate, colorful

hovering, fluttering

Monarchs

Here is the pattern:

Line 1: noun

Line 2: two adjectives that describe the noun

Line 3: two "ing" verbs

Line 4: a synonym

[pic]

A Verb Poem uses all verbs or verb phrases except for the first line. The first line names a noun, usually a family member or someone with a specific occupation. Here is an example:

A Doctor

examines,

researches,

studies,

makes calls,

gives shots,

prescribes,

operates,

and cures!

[pic]

A Metaphor Poem links two objects that often appear to have little in common. After brainstorming topics, explore words of sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. Think of other words that share a common link with the topic that was chosen. Here is an example:

A Halloween moon

is a giant dinner plate

lost in the dark.

The pattern simply uses a sentence separated into three lines. More than one verse can be used as long as it is related to the first verse.

[pic]

A Prepositional Phrase Poem is one that uses all prepositional phrases through seven lines which culminate into a place one is traveling. Here is an example by Sapna:

Over the fence

Through the weeds

Across the street

Around a house

In the puddles

Towards the hall

Into the classroom.

Quinzaine Poem

"Quinze" in French means fifteen. A quinzaine is an unrhymed verse of fifteen syllables distributed in three lines. The first line makes a statement and the next two lines ask a question relating to the statement. Here is an example:

The colored leaves are falling

Will it soon be time

rake or play?

Here is the pattern:

Line 1: Statement of 7 syllables

Line 2: Beginning of question with 5 syllables

Line 3: End of question with 3 syllables

[pic]

Sept Poem

A "Sept" poem is one about any subject with a specific syllable pattern. Below is an example:

My

Little

Spinning top

Just goes around

and around

then it

stops!

Here is the pattern:

Line 1: 1 syllable

Line 2: 2 syllables

Line 3: 3 syllables

Line 4: 4 syllables

Line 5: 3 syllables

Line 6: 2 syllables

Line 7: 1 syllable

[pic]

Septet Poem

A "Septet" poem is again one about any subject with a specific syllable pattern. Here is an example:

A small boy

Clutched his teddy bear

As he toddled off to bed,

Wanting it to keep him company

In the darkness of the night.

He peacefully slept

Through the night.

Here is the pattern:

Line 1: 3 syllables

Line 2: 5 syllables

Line 3: 7 syllables

Line 4: 9 syllablesLine 5: 7 syllables

Line 6: 5 syllables

Line 7: 3 syllables

[pic]

Terquain Poem

A "terquain" is a simple three lined poem about any subject. Each line states something about the subject. There are no rhymes or syllable patterns. Here is an example:

Football

Tackling, hitting

Tough!

Here is the simple pattern:

Line 1: one word subject

Line 2: two or three words describing the subject

Line 3: one word (a feeling about or synonym of the subject)

DON'T UNDERSTAND POEM

Begin this poem with the words "I don't understand." List several things you don't understand about the world, yourself, or other people. These can be serious or silly things. End your poem with something you DO understand.

Here is an example:

I do not understand why my mother talks on the phone so much.

I do not understand why I have to go to bed early.

I do not understand why we have to be on Daylight Savings Time.

I do not understand why I can't have more sleep-overs.

But most of all, I do not understand why three people can't get along.

I do understand that some people are strange!

[pic]

MY YEAR IN ---- GRADE

Reflect back on your year in ___ grade. Think of short phrases describing special events that you have enjoyed. Write a "phrase poem" about your experiences. Here is an example:

My Year in Third Grade

Great teacher,

shaving cream on desks

geoboards and designs

sharing every morning

spelling tests

big hugs

doing jobs

laughing again and again

happy smiles

reading together

lunch inside

drawing on the chalkboard

fun learning

and wild science experiments!

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Poetry Pack …examples… do not remove from class!

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