From the 5/6 Classrooms

Poetry Perfection

We have been getting poetic in grades 5 and 6 this term. 

We have been exploring poetry devices like; figurative language, similes, metaphors, alliteration, repetition, personification, assonance, rhyme and rhythm. We have also been learning that the structure of a poem involves many elements, such as the number of lines in a stanza, the number of syllables in each line, the rhyming of certain words and phrases with others, the rules of haiku and limerick, and the wonderful creativity that can blossom through free verse.

Like all of our major writing endeavours, this term our poetry process begins with a cold write.

Students were given 5 minutes to plan, 20 minutes to write and 5 minutes to edit in round 1. 

The planning time gave students a chance to brainstorm words that related to our chosen subject; nature. In this time they might have come up with rhymes, concepts or a theme that they could carry throughout. 

During their writing time, we provided students with a 20 line sheet to help them in the building of their stanzas. It was wonderful to see the wide variety of approaches that students took when writing their poems in this time.  The rooms were abundant with creativity. 

After their allocated 5 minutes of editing, students were asked to reflect on their process. We asked them: 

• Where did your idea come from?
• What did you learn about poetry and nature?
• What did you learn about yourself?

This reflective practise will continue to be important as we move into the warm write phase, where students have a chance to go deeper and improve upon their initial draft. 

During this phase, students are encouraged to examine their own work; double checking to make sure they have employed a variety of poetic devices throughout their poem. 

We are proud of our work, and excited to share our poems with you at our expo this term!

Below are some more examples of our poetry prowess for you to enjoy!