Teaching haiku can improve vocabulary, syllable knowledge, and introduce poetry. Start with a discussion of syllables, brainstorm words, and create haikus together. Use images to inspire creativity. Haiku traditionally reflects nature and deeper meanings.
Many teachers love the idea of teaching a haiku class because it can accomplish so many things at once. It’s a great way to build vocabulary, reinforces what students know about syllables, and can serve as a wonderful introduction to poetry, imagery, and rhythm. Perhaps best of all, because the haikus are so small, a student can create several in one sitting, which is perfect for students with short attention spans and equally interesting for those who like to focus intently.
A great way to start a haiku lesson is with a discussion of what a syllable is. Some children seem to grasp this almost intuitively, while others find it nearly impossible. One trick to help drive the point home is to ask students to stroke their chin with their palms and give them a multisyllabic word to say. Each time the chin drops it’s a syllable.
Then, have students help brainstorm a huge list of words on the board. Create separate categories for one-, two-, and three-syllable words. With older students, it’s okay for the haiku lesson to include four- and five-syllable words as well. When students have run out of words they remember, remind them to search the room for words on the walls or within their books for more ideas.
Now, show them that a haiku is allowed no more than five syllables in the first line, seven in the middle line, and five in the bottom line. You may need to remind them that it’s not the same as five words, seven words, and five words. Create several haiku together, taking input from different students for each haiku to get them all involved.
Here’s a tip that will help young writers understand that the most successful haikus create pictures or images in the reader’s mind. Distribute magazine-cropped photos of a variety of things. An image of a volcano, one of a pair of old lady’s shoes, and one of trash pouring out of a dented garbage can could all become the subject of a poem that is the result of your haiku class.
Haiku, originally a form of Japanese poetry, has infiltrated American poetic circles to the point where it’s hard to find a poet who hasn’t written dozens of these fascinating gems. Traditionally, most haiku took nature as its setting and subject matter, using metaphor to simultaneously offer the beauty of the natural world and connect it to a deeper meaning which is revealed in the last line. While this subtle point is beyond the grasp of most elementary students, it is interesting how often their haiku creations reflect profound themes.
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