Theme Poems

Why Use This Tool

More Ideas To Try

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Why Use This Tool

By creating a theme poem, children will learn the basic steps involved in writing a poem: finding a topic, brainstorming for ideas, coming up with a title, writing, revising, and publishing. From basketballs to balloons, children can choose from a variety of shapes. Building the poem inside the shape helps to focus children’s attention on the topic. Best of all, this activity teaches children that poetry can be fun and is something everyone can do.

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More Ideas To Try

• Give poems as gifts. Encourage children to write a shape poem in honor of someone who’s having a birthday soon or as a gift for an upcoming holiday. Which shape would the recipient like best?

• Look for alternate shapes. Try an outline of a child’s hand or foot. Also consider letters with accommodating shapes, such as V or O. Other possibilities include outlines of cars, CDs, or favorite foods.

• Hunt for examples of “shape poems” in the real world. What shapes hold words or phrases? Keep an eye out for signs, T-shirts, blimps, and birthday cakes.

• Look for everyday items that children can use as canvases for their shape poems. Try a plain T-shirt, a rock, the sole of a sneaker, or a paper plate. And if a child wants to write a skinny ode to that favorite yellow fruit, offer a banana.

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We invite you to share your experiences with this resource and provide us with any feedback on how it can be improved.

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