Write a Diamante Poem

What You Do:

Encourage your child to record the memories of your trip in a notebook. Explain that a fun way to do this is by writing short, fun poems called diamantes. Show her how to write a diamante by writing one of your own as a model. Here’s the basic structure:

1. The first line is one word, and is the topic.  It is a singular or plural noun. The 7th line is also one word, and a noun. The 1st and 7th lines should be in contrast to one another.
2. The second line is made up of two adjectives that describe the noun from the first line.
3. The third line is three –ing verbs that tell actions associated with the noun from the first line.
4. The fourth line is the longest of the entire poem, and is the turning point of the poem.  This line has four more nouns. The first two nouns are words that are associated with the noun of the first line, and the second pair of nouns are words that are associated with the noun of the seventh line.
5. The fifth line is three –ing verbs that are associated with the noun from the seventh line.
6. The sixth line has two adjectives that describe the noun in the seventh line.
7. The last line of the poem is a singular or plural noun that contrasts with the one from the first line.

Here’s an example of a diamante that one might write about a road trip which including lots of time at the pool and the beach:

• pool
• wet, wild
• slipping, sliding, splashing
• water slides, wading pools, beach towels, sunbaths
• drying, resting, snoozing,
• quiet, restful
• sand

Have your child keep all of her diamantes in the notebook, and encourage her to write these poems to represent all the parts of your road trip, from lengthy car rides to exciting adventures. When she’s finished, she can decorate the cover of the notebook to create a flashy title page, and even add some photos to the notebook. Along the way, she will have reviewed basic parts of speech, and created a memento that will last a lifetime!

No matter how many of these poems your child writes, however, do select at least one for a card to send. Relatives, in particular, have a way of adoring these handmade messages; and it won't hurt that this one is so literary, too!

To make a "diamante" card, fold a piece of construction paper horizontally to make a card 6" x 9" in size. Open the card, and on the left hand flap, use a ruler to trace a diamond, 6-1/2" tall by 4" wide, on the center of the panel. Cut out the diamond using decorative scissors (the kind with cool, scalloped edges—craft stores have a myriad of beautiful choices).

Now have your child use her best kid writing to write the poem through the diamond "window" you have made. (Hint: if your child struggles with writing straight, help her out by making pencil lines, or you can even write the poem on white, lined paper and glue it on. Don't let handwriting frustrations get in the way!)