30 Days of Poetry

Day 1: Acrostic Poetry Definition: Example: The first letters of each line form a word or message relating to the subject The letters of the subject written vertically Each line begins with a word or phrase that starts with that letter Does not have to rhyme Simple, based upon one word Music M y head is full of rhythm U ntil I can barely sit still S ee me move to the beat I t does the same for others C an you feel the magic of music?

A fast swimmer B rown-eyed girl B rave Y ells for the Blue Devils

Teacher T akes time to listen E ach student is important A lot of patience C ares about learning H as all the answers (or will look it up!) E ach day a new adventure R eally organized (most of the time!)

M y heart beats inside of me E very second of the day and night!

Day 1: Creating Our Cover Sheet Find a light colored piece of construction paper: yellow, light blue, pink, white, green, blue or purple. Our Cover will be an ACROSTIC Poem…wait for directions on the next few slides.

Day 1: Concrete Poetry Concrete Poetry is the use of words and their physical formation to convey meaning. This may be done with color, the shape of letters, and/or the arrangement of words. Another name for this type of poetry is a “Shape poem”. Directions: Graphically create a scene using only words. From a distance this will look like a picture, but up close it will consist only of words and phrases. Not extra lines or shapes should be used. A light pencil line might be drawn first as a guide. Use colors, shapes, and sizes that will enhance the meaning of words. If you google concrete poetry, you will get a lot of really cool examples! *An alternative is to use the letter of the alphabet and create a phrase in which most of the words begin with that letter. The major letter should be drawn so that it suggests the object you are describing.

Day 1: Concrete Poetry

DAY 2:

Day 2: Synonym Poetry Directions: Chose any word. Write that word in capital letters on the first line. In a thesaurus look up the word and find three to five synonyms for it. Write the synonyms on the second line. On the third line, write a descriptive phrase about the word. The last two lines of the poem should rhyme Example

Synonym Poetry LOVE Attachment, adoration, warmth, adore Love is so pure, right down to the core. ---Kimiko Brantly (Grade 10) NOISE Clamor, uproar, hullabaloo These things can really annoy you. ---Shasta Inman (Grade 9)

Day 2: Opposites Poem

Day 2: Opposites Directions: Choose two things that are opposites. It could be the opposite sides of a question. Humor is good. The poem should be two or four lines long. The first two and the last two lines should rhyme. Sight rhymes are acceptable. Example

Opposites The opposite of honest What a lot of people do on a hard test. ---Benjamin Swanson (Grade 9) OPPOSITES What is the opposite of love? Maybe it is as beautiful as a white dove, Because love is so fine, This is something that I know is mine. What is the opposite of a smile? Maybe it is a frown that hasn’t been seen in a while, Because a great smile brightens up the day, This has made my day better in every way. What is the opposite of true? It could be purple, or even blue. Because truth is better than a lie, I want the truth even from my special guy. ---Kimiko Brantley (Grade 10)

Day 3: List Poems List Poems: Lists can be either rhyming or not. It is up to the writer to decide which style s/he uses. In at least one of the lines you write, make the list humorous or far-fetched. Then, in a final line, give the poem a serious turn. Example

Things Kids Say When They Want to Get Out and Play List Poems Things Kids Say When They Want to Get Out and Play I did all my homework. I picked up my toys. I emptied the trash. My bed is made. No, there are no lumps. I ate all my vegetables. But everyone else is. Bobby’s mom doesn’t make him. But, Mom. No, my dirty clothes aren’t under the bed. Yes, Mom, I’m sure. Yeah, I’ll be careful.. No, I wont poke an eye out. Oh, please! ---Steve Schlatter (Grade 10)

Another List Poem I Can't Write a Poem Forget it. You must be kidding. I'm still half asleep. My eyes keep closing. My brain isn't working. I don't have a pencil. I don't have any paper. My desk is wobbly. I don't know what to write about. And besides, I don't even know how to write a poem. I've got a headache. I need to see the nurse. Time's up? Uh oh! All I have is this dumb list of excuses. You like it? Really? No kidding. Thanks a lot. Would you like to see another one? -Bruce Lansky

DAY 3: Limerick A limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. The last words of the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other (A), and the last words of the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other (B). Here's an example: There was an old man from Peru, (A) da DUM da da DUM da da DUM who dreamed he was eating his shoe. (A) He awoke in the night (B) da DUM da da DUM with a terrible fright, (B) da da DUM da da DUM and found out that it was quite true. (A)

A Clumsy Young Fellow Named Tim A clumsy young fellow named Tim (A) When you write a limerick, make sure that it has the same AABBA rhyme pattern, and make sure it also has the same Da DUM da da DUM da da DUM rhythm pattern. To make sure, recite your limerick, substituting "da" for all unaccented or unstressed syllables and "DUM" for all the accented or stressed syllables, as I have done above. Ideas for new limericks can come from almost anywhere. For example, you could write about your city, state, country, or name. For example, if your name was Tim or Jim, you could write something like this: A Clumsy Young Fellow Named Tim A clumsy young fellow named Tim (A) was never informed how to swim. (A) He fell off a dock (B) and sunk like a rock. (B) And that was the end of him. (A) Notice that the rhyme pattern (AABBA) and the rhythm pattern (da DUM da da DUM da da DUM) are identical to the patterns in the "Man From Peru" limerick. OK, now that you know how to write a limerick with the correct rhyme and rhythm pattern, get going!

Day 3: Limerick - Reminder Limerick: are more silly than serious. This poem has 5 lines. The first, second and fifth lines rhyme, and contain 3 accented syllables. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme and contain 2 accented syllables. Directions: write a limerick of your own. **Limericks rarely make much sense; in fact, the zanier they are, the better they are. Example

Limerick There was a Young Lady whose chin, Resembled the point of a pin; So she had it made sharp, And purchased a harp, And played several tunes with her chin. -- Edward Lear

Day 4: Three Word Forms Three Word Forms: Each line of this form is made up of three words. The last two words become the first two words in the next line. In the poem, there will be a progress of images and a story will be told. Example

---Alex Buffington (Grade 10) Three Word Forms Mornings Sleep, alarm, awake Alarm, awake, shower Awake, shower, clothes Shower, clothes, shoes Clothes, shoes, dog Shoes, dog, run Dog, run, breakfast Run, breakfast, sunrise Breakfast, sunrise, car Sunrise, car, work. ---Alex Buffington (Grade 10) Example 2

Three Word Forms Ball, snap, run Snap, run, tackle Run, tackle, sack Tackle, sack, pass Sack, pass, catch Pass, catch, 1st down Catch, 1st down, touchdown. ---Josh Jones (Grade 10)