Reading poetry is often part of our homeschool day. But writing poetry? We’ve only done a little bit through our country studies. This past summer, I came across these three books and tried a few informal poetry projects with them. I’m no expert on how to write poetry for beginners, but these books helped a ton!
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Fun and Short Chapter Books
Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem
This was a FUN story and my kids knew what a metaphor was by the end of it! Then, each child came up with a metaphor that I wrote down. Illustrations optional!
Pro teacher tip: Writing is no problem when someone else is doing the writing part!
Check out Kate DiCamillo’s teacher guide for more ideas. She has one for each of her books about Deckawoo Drive.
Love that Dog and Hate that Cat
How do you feel about books written in free verse?
I’m just going to say it…I find them a little confusing to read out loud. Most of the time, it just sounds like regular writing, and my brain is confused as to why the writing is broken into short lines.
Pro teacher tip: Listen to them on audiobook. Confusion eliminated.
These two books were fun for us. Love that Dog comes first and Hate that Cat is the sequel. I do recommend reading them in that order, although you don’t have to.
Some underlying themes for Love that Dog: loss of a beloved pet, the power of poetry for self-expression, and a boy’s journey from hating poetry to loving it.
At varying degrees, I helped the kids write poems inspired by the ones in the photo, just like the main character does in the two books. The poems were for their dad, hence the green tractor.
Different Styles of Poetry
Here are other ways to naturally incorporate poetry: through country studies!
Check out my country studies that introduce different styles of poetry through kids books:
Grammar of Poetry: How to Write Poetry for Beginners
I started this book with my 7th graders in August. So far, so good! In the first few chapters are definitions of poetry, rhyme, meter, and simile. We have had to identify different purposes of poetry, label the rhyme scheme, and find and write similes. The book builds up to having the kids write their own poems.
Pro teacher tip: Don’t just hand the book and assignments to your kids when it’s unfamiliar territory. Sit with them for 10 minutes each week and do it together.