Tomorrow we’re going to write poems about Spring.  I shall  encourage their moms to try, too.

The simple poems, such as “skinny” ones, shaped ones and acrostic, seem some of the easiest and most fun  for youngsters to start with.

• For skinny, line or list poems, simply have the youngsters write SPRING across the top of their paper.  Then list 10-12 words they can think of that relate to spring.  Eventually they may find words that rhyme every so often to make a pattern.
• Shaped poems are another fun type.  Start with one word, two on the next line, three, then four.  Reverse it and write three words, two, and end with one…all relating to the topic you’ve chosen.  In this case it would be spring.
• Acrostic poems might rhyme or be free verse.  Write the word SPRING vertically along the margin.  Then begin each line with the letter that spells the word and describes something about it.  Here the first line starts with S, then P, next R, etc.
• Younger children like to decorate their pages with images and color these.

Have fun with poetry yourself.  I know the youngsters and I will tomorrow. (I even had to write some of these poems myself so I’d have examples to show the class.)

Post from: Blisstree

Write a Poem of Spring

One of my favorite activities involves in encouraging young writers.  I enjoy visiting schools and working with teachers, either coordinating something they’re teaching or planning my own workshop.  It’s rewarding to see youngsters become excited about writing stories, poetry, plays, essays and often illustrating them.

Youngsters work at various speeds and with differing degrees of inspiration.  When you can get a youngster, who professes to hate writing, turned around so he/she enjoys it, that’s a height of joy for a teacher.  Because I’m also a teacher (doing solely substitute teaching now), I can keep up with what teachers are teaching about writing and what’s expected of the students.

In future posts, I shall be giving some writing suggestions and prompts for young writers and hope I inspire them.

(Amazon image; click image for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Mary Emma’s Writing Activities for Young Writers