Haiku A form of Japanese poetry dating back nearly 1,000 years. These poems focus on nature and sensory observations. They are written in the present tense to give the reader a snapshot of a particular subject.

Haiku Rules 1) Usually focuses on nature 2) Usually includes some seasonal word or phrase directly (autumn, spring) or indirectly (snow fluttered) 3) Usually references sensory images Smell, sound, touch, sight 4) The poem has 3 lines and a total syllable count of 17.

Haiku Form Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables

Outside the sun surrounds me So large and glowing Outside the sun surrounds me Heating my body

A blanket over the world Ocean Waves crashing ashore A blanket over the world Creatures call it home

Now You Try! Write your own Haiku about some aspect of nature Remember: 5 Syllables 7 Syllables