I have always loved poetry, and for a few years now I have tried to figure out a fun way to incorporate it into our schooling. This year, I think I have hit on something light and fun enough to work for us.
I simply assigned a different type of poetry to each month of the school year. On the first Wednesday of each month, the three oldest kids look up the new poem type for the month using Painless Poetry
Then, on every Thursday they write a (rough draft) poem of the type for that month and then on Friday, copy it neatly into their quote journals (a nicely bound lined book for copywork). I purposely chose simple, fun types. That's it, and they are loving it so far!
Here is our List:
August ~ Haiku
A Japanese poem composed of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables.
September ~ Acrostic
Poetry that certain letters, usually the first in each line form a word or
message when read in a sequence.
October ~ Limerick
A short sometimes humorous poem consisting of five lines. Lines 1, 2, and 5
have seven to ten syllables, rhyme and have the same verbal rhythm. The 3rd and
4th lines have five to seven syllables, rhyme and have the same rhythm.
November ~ Pastoral
A poem that depicts rural life in a peaceful, romanticized way.
December ~ Name
Poetry that tells about the word. It uses the letters of the word for the
first letter of each line.
January ~ Quatrain
A stanza or poem consisting of four lines. Lines 2 and 4 must rhyme while
having a similar number of syllables.
February ~ Shape
Poetry written in the shape or form of an object.
March ~ Rhyme
A rhyming poem has the repetition of the same or similar sounds of two or
more words, often at the end of the line.
April ~ Free
verse (vers libre)
Poetry written in either rhyme or unrhymed lines that have no set fixed
metrical pattern.
May ~ ABC
An ABC poem has a series of lines
that create a mood, picture, or feeling. Lines
