Shape and Concrete Poem Lesson

Form Poetry is Fun for Students to Read, Write and IIlustrate

© Kellie Hayden

Concrete Poem Example, Kellie Hayden

Students learn about shape and concrete poems from poetry books. By writing and illustrating their own poem, students express creativity and learn poetry techniques.

Some poem types have rules to follow, while others are as whimsical and free flowing as the shape they take. Students can choose to write a concrete, diamante or acrostic poem.

Preparation for the Poetry Lesson on Shape, Form and Concrete Poems

Example Items for a Handout on Shape Poems

Make a handout for the students. It should specify directions for writing shape, form and concrete poems. Examples should be on it as well. Here are some examples:

Concrete Poems

A concrete poem is one that takes the shape of the object it describes:

Silt

filled water

slinks quietly in

the dark to the rushing dam

Diamante Poems

A seven line poem, shaped like a diamond when centered on a page:

day

bright, alive

waking, working, playing

homework, video games, pillow, bed

snoring, snuggling, dreaming

dark, quiet

night

Acrostic Poems

Use the letters in a word to begin each line:

Bring the wood close to the chest

Allow time for a deep breath

Touch the ground for good luck and smack the ball

Teaching the Shape Poem Lesson

1. Share three-to-five great examples of shape, concrete, and form poems. Read them with enthusiasm to the class from the poetry books. Leave the books in a central location for students to peruse later.

2. Give students the handout on how to create shape, concrete and form poems.

3. Discuss concrete, diamante and acrostic poems with the class.

4. Before students begin to write their own poems, suggest topics. It is easier for students to write poetry about something in which they have an interest.

5. Give time for students to start a rough draft of a poem in class. Walk around and make suggestions.

6. Assign students to illustrate the final copy of the shape poem for homework.

Shape poems are fun, and students can be very creative when they write them. Have students share their poems and post them as art in the classroom.

Other relevant articles: Publishing Student Work


The copyright of the article Shape and Concrete Poem Lesson in Middle School Lesson Plans is owned by Kellie Hayden. Permission to republish Shape and Concrete Poem Lesson must be granted by the author in writing.


Concrete Poem Example, Kellie Hayden
Concrete Poem Example, Kellie Hayden
Concrete Poem Example, Kellie Hayden
   


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