Reading
CURRICULUM FOCUS
This week in Reading, the students will be learning to identify the structure of a Haiku poem.
VOCABULARY
Poem: a typically short type of writing where the author uses imaginative words to share ideas, emotions or a story with the reader.
Haiku: a Japanese poetic form that consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
Syllable: The number of sounds in a word. This can be found by placing your hand just below your chin and saying the word. The number of times your chin touches your hand is the number of syllables in the word.
ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING
Read these traditional Japanese poems that will give exposure to your child about the style and structure of Haiku.
For example -
- Haiku Year by Paul Holmes
- Spring Is in the Air by Kaitlyn Guenther
After reading, ask your child to look thoroughly at the form and content of the poem and find three characteristics of these poems.
Haiku Year by Paul Holmes
JANUARY
Delightful display
Of snowdrops bowing white heads
To the sun’s glory.
FEBRUARY
Green buds now appear
Indicating spring will soon
Energise us all.
MARCH
Lambs gambol in fields
Frisky with the joys of life
Bleating happily.
APRIL
Bluebells standing proud
Beneath trees now sparsely dressed
With freshest green leaves.
MAY
Much awaited sound
Echoes through forest and copse -
Cuckoo’s arrival.
JUNE
Parks and gardens burst
With sounds and vibrant colours
Perfect harmony.
JULY
Beaches become full
Of families having fun
In sand and big waves.
AUGUST
Ripe golden harvest
Burning sun in azure skies
Labours rewarded.
SEPTEMBER
Swallows congregate
On telephone wires ready
To migrate down south.
OCTOBER
Red and gold leaves fall,
Crunchy as cornflakes beneath
Feet on a crisp morn.
NOVEMBER
Frosty webs sparkle
In the early morning sun
Brightly bejewelled.
DECEMBER
First few flakes of snow
Dust gardens like icing on
A chocolate cake.
Spring Is in the Air by Kaitlyn Guenther
Spring is in the air
Flowers are blooming sky high
Children are laughing