Harmonious Haiku
Grades: 2-6
Harmonious Haiku
After reading haiku and learning about this short form of Japanese poetry, students write and illustrate their own haiku poems.
Engage
Many kids think poetry is boring, so kick off this writing lesson with fun examples of haiku, such as the ones written for boys in Bob Raczka’s Guyku. You might also share examples of entire stories written in haiku, such as Andrew Clements’s Dogku or Lee Wardlaw’s Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku.
A haiku is a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Share an example of a traditional haiku, such as this one from Matsuo Basho, a famous Japanese poet.
An old pond!
A frog jumps in-
The sound of water.
Traditional haiku also contain a kigo, or season word, to indicate in which season the Haiku is set. For example, cherry blossoms would indicate spring, and snow would indicate winter.
Work together to count syllables and locate any kigo words in the samples you share. Wikipedia has a page with a list of Japanese kigo words.
Create
Have individual students choose a season for their poem and begin by brainstorming at least 6 words connected to this season using a cluster organizer.
Word choice is a key element of successful poetry writing. To help build student’s vocabulary and get them thinking about this important part of writing, teach them how to use a thesaurus.
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.“
--Mark Twain quoted by George Bainton, The Art of Authorship, 1890.
Assign the Haiku Activity for students to craft their first draft.
When students are done with their first draft, ask peers to identify the kigo, or season word. Prompt close reading by asking reviewers to highlight or underline words and phrases that they feel do an excellent job of connecting the reader to the meaning of the poem.
Once students have finished editing, students can create support illustrations using the paint tools, photographs, and clip art. Students should also record themselves reading their haiku for intonation and effect.
Share
Print each student's haiku page in color to display in your classroom.
Combine individual student pages into one class project using the Project Wizard. Print the images and bind them into a class book you can share in your library or school media center.
You might also want to host a family or community night where you serve Japanese tea and project the combined student’s haiku pages on a large screen.
Resources
Bob Raczka. GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys. ISBN: 0547240031
Andrew Clements. Dogku. ISBN: 068985823X
Lee Wardlaw. Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. ISBN: 0805089950
Laya Steinberg. Thesaurus Rex. ISBN: 1841481807
Standards for English Language Arts
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.5
Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1.E
Use adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is to be modified.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.5
Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3.A
Choose words and phrases for effect.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.5
Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3.A
Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.