Make Shape Poem Greeting Cards

What You Need:

• Paper
• Pencil
• Colored pencils or fine-tipped markers

What You Do:

1. Help your child pick an object as the subject of their poem. Ultimately, your child will be writing the poem in the shape of the object. They can use almost any object, but they must be able to simplify it into a basic, recognizable outline. Some ideas for simple subjects are: a fish, an apple, a leaf, a ball, a star, or a tree.
2. Invite your child to write a poem based on the subject. The poem should be long enough to properly create the final shape (five to eight lines should suffice). Have them try to rhyme the ends of the lines for practice!
3. Help your child draw the outline of the object in pencil onto a blank sheet of paper.
4. Ask them to copy the poem in pencil inside the outline of the object, so that the edges of the poem correspond with the object's outline.
5. Have your child retrace the poem in colored pencil or marker. Encourage them to add other decorations around the poem and on the inside of the card as a finishing touch!

If your child enjoys writing their own poems and making them into greeting cards, suggest another option! Your learner may enjoy personalizing the poem for a friend or relative. For example, they can write a loving poem about their grandmother, but make it into the shape of her favorite flower.