Write a Valentine's Haiku
Topics: Fourth Grade, Writing, Valentine's Day
Looking for a simple, yet unique writing activity for your child on Valentine’s Day? Why not have her try her hand at writing poetry on this loved-filled holiday with a Japanese style Haiku? Haiku, dating back to 17th century Japan, are very short poems that allow your child to use her creativity and practice her syllable counting.
What's great about Haiku is that it doesn't require profound symbolism or serious meaning. Haiku can be light, relaxing and even humorous. Once she gets the hang of writing in this style don’t be surprised if she composes a Haiku about you!
What You Need:
- notebook or several sheets of paper
- pencil
What You Do:
- Begin this activity by having your child brainstorm a list of all of the things that pop into her mind when she thinks about Valentine’s Day (hearts, cards, love, candy, etc...).
- After completing this brainstorming activity, review with her the Haiku format. Haiku has three lines one right after the other. Each line should have a certain number of syllables. The first line should have five syllables, the second should have seven, and the third line should again have five.
- There are no firm rules regarding capitalization and punctuation in English Haiku, nor does Haiku have to be in complete sentence.
- Before she begins writing her poem, you may want to review some simple syllable counting with her to ensure that she is confident in this skill.
- Next, have your child select a few items from her brainstorming list that she would like to include in her Haiku.
- Assist her in counting the syllables to reach the total needed in each line. If it would help, you may want to write a Haiku together first before she writes her own independently.
A few examples of a Valentine Haiku would be:
I Love Valentines
Hearts filled with a Special Love
Sweethearts, Cards, Chocolate
Valentine’s Day Mush
So sweet I cannot stand it
Please send the CANDY!
Writing Haiku are fun for all ages. Work together writing as a family and see who can write the best or the silliest haiku. Before you know it you’ll be composing poetry and counting word syllables as you are traveling in the car or going for a walk.
Victoria Hoffman, MA Teaching and Leadership, is an elementary school teacher, writer and mother from Leonardtown, Maryland. She has taught grades K-5 in both regular and special education classrooms.
Comments from readers
http://www.HowManySyllables.com
First let the little one try to count syllables herself, then let her go on and check her work.