Literature Unit Lesson 1Literature Unit Lesson 1

4/5th Grade4/5th Grade

Ms. DurhamMs. Durham

What is Poetry?What is Poetry?

Here are some opinions from Here are some opinions from poets…poets…

• Poetry is the most emotionally charged written Poetry is the most emotionally charged written expression and it consists of expression and it consists of words arranged in words arranged in patterns of soundpatterns of sound and and imagery to spark an imagery to spark an emotional, and intellectual, responseemotional, and intellectual, response the reader the reader

• Poetry is the Poetry is the language of the imaginationlanguage of the imagination, of , of feelingsfeelings, of , of emotional self-expressionemotional self-expression, of , of high high artart..

• The language in poetry is The language in poetry is musicalmusical, , preciseprecise,  , 

memorablememorable, and , and magicalmagical..   

Why do people write Why do people write poems? poems? • To express emotion To express emotion

(happiness, sadness, (happiness, sadness, love)love)

• To express humorTo express humor

• To send a messageTo send a message

• To quickly express an To quickly express an idea idea

There are many types of There are many types of poemspoems

• RhymingRhyming

• LyricLyric

• AcrosticAcrostic

• OdesOdes

• ClerihewClerihew

• HaikuHaiku

• Limericks….Limericks….

Today, we will be looking Today, we will be looking at…at…

CinquainCinquain

ClerihewsClerihews

AcrosticAcrostic

CinquainCinquain poemspoems havehave 5 5 lineslines

Line 1 is one word (the title)Line 2 is two words that describe the title.Line 3 is three words that tell the action

Line 4 is four words that express the feelingLine 5 is one word that recalls the title

Cinquain Poem ExampleCinquain Poem Example

TreeTreeStrong, TallStrong, Tall

Swaying, swinging, sighingSwaying, swinging, sighingMemories of summerMemories of summer

Oak Oak

Clerihew Poems are Clerihew Poems are funny poems you funny poems you

write about specific write about specific peoplepeople

Clerihews have just a few simple Clerihews have just a few simple rules:rules:

• They are four lines long.They are four lines long. • The first and second lines rhyme with each other, The first and second lines rhyme with each other,

and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

• The first line names a person, and the second line The first line names a person, and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person. the person.

• A clerihew should be funny. A clerihew should be funny.

Clerihew Poem ExampleClerihew Poem Example

Our art teacher, Mr. Shaw, Our art teacher, Mr. Shaw, Really knows how to draw. Really knows how to draw.

But his awful paintings But his awful paintings Have caused many faintings. Have caused many faintings.

Acrostic Poems are the Acrostic Poems are the simplest to create. The key to simplest to create. The key to writing an acrostic is to spell writing an acrostic is to spell out words using the first out words using the first letter of each line of poetry. letter of each line of poetry.

Springby Kaitlyn Guenther

S o many flowers are blooming.

P etite little squirrels come out to play.

R eally big bears awake from their slumbers.

I maginative children enjoy a walk with their friends.

N o tree is left standing without any leaves. So

G o ahead, jump for joy because spring is here.

Acrostic Poem ExampleAcrostic Poem Example

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There are also simpler There are also simpler acrostic poems that just use acrostic poems that just use one word for each line of the one word for each line of the

poem. poem.

Let’s see an example…Let’s see an example…

Best BudsBest BudsBy Sam LeightonBy Sam Leighton

BestEverlastingSuperTrueBest friendsUnforgettableDo not excludeSuper

Let’s try it!!Let’s try it!!

Let’s write some poetry!!! Let’s write some poetry!!! Within your groups pick a Within your groups pick a

style and go for it!!style and go for it!!