Often teachers teach poetry as a separate unit in their writing program. Integrating poetry writing as an activity linked to other curricular areas, or as a response to literature, is another way to make poetry meaningful to students. With ongoing practice using many poetic forms, students will begin to use poetry more effectively in their repertoire of writing forms.
Teaching the simpler forms of poetry such as acrostic poems, free verse poetry and pattern poems, before trying poems with highly structured form and rhyme patterns, will make poetry writing more successful for students.
Acrostic Poems
Acrostic poetry is easily integrated into any subject area or theme. It is a very simple form of poem in which there is no requirement for attention to rhyme scheme or rhythm. Acrostic poems may be as simple as one word on each line, or they may be phrases, lists, or a combination of the three. Students generate words that begin with the letters in the subject of the poem. Then they select the best words, lists or phrases to use in their poem. The title of the poem is written vertically on the page, and each line is a word, list or phrase that begins with the letter on that line.
Strategies/Skills Used
Writing Skill 2: I organize my ideas based on my purpose for writing.
Writing Skill 4: I write so my thoughts flow smoothly and are easy to read.
Writing Skill 7: I use my personal style to make my writing unique.
(1) Determine a subject for your acrostic poem (e.g. math).
(2) Generate lists of words or phrases that begin with each letter.This may be done individually, in pairs, in groups or as a class.
(3) Select the best words or phrases.
(4) Write your poem. Example:
My favourite subject
Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing
Time, money, geometry, algebra
Huge importance in the world
Primary
Intermediate
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Secondary
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