Students learn about rhythm and counting syllables from poetry books. By writing and illustrating a poem, students express individuality and learn poetry techniques.

It is all about rhythm. This poetry lesson on syllable count poems allows students to be creative with rhythm and counting. Syllable count poems have a set number of syllables per line.

Preparation for the Poetry Lesson on Rhyme Poems

• Collect poetry books to share with the students that showcase rhythm patterns. Make a decision to include or not include poetic techniques such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, personification and/or hyperbole in the rhythm lesson.
• Make a rubric because grading poetry can be somewhat subjective. It is best to decide on the criteria and the level of quality for the poems before students begin writing.
• Design handouts for the students that explain rhythm and give directions for writing syllable count poems with examples.

Example Items for a Handout on Syllable Count Poems

• Types of Syllable Count Poetry

Haiku -- a three line poem

Traditional Japanese haiku poems were about nature. However, students can experiment with any topic.

• line one has five syllables
• line two has seven syllables
• line three has five syllables

Example Haiku -- After the Rain

Sparrows circle high (5 syllables)

Sunny rays stream through gray skies (7 syllables)

Water drips from leaves (5 syllables)

Tanka -- a five line poem

Tanka poems date back almost 1200 years ago, and they focus on nature, seasons, love, sadness and other strong emotions. However, students can experiment with any topic.

• line one has five syllables
• line two has seven syllables
• line three has five syllables
• line four has seven syllables
• line five has seven syllables

Example of Tanka -- Dancing Snow Dots

Snow drifts by my glass (5 syllables)

Spiders of ice form a branch (7 syllables)

Dancing on a breeze (5 syllables)

Small white dots move back and forth (7 syllables)

Sway to Mother Nature's call (7 syllables)

Cinquain -- a five line poem

The traditional cinquain uses syllable count. The modern cinquain is based on words of a certain type, but for the syllable count lesson, students should focus on the syllables.

• line one has two syllables
• line two has four syllables
• line three has six syllables
• line four has eight syllables
• line five has two syllables

Example of cinquain -- Playful Puppies

Puppies (2 syllables)

Ornery fun (4 syllables)

Playing, barking, sleeping (6 syllables)

Favorite little loving friends (8 syllables)

Playful (2 syllables)

Teaching the Syllable Count Poem Lesson

1. Read three-to-five great examples of syllable count poems with enthusiasm to the class. Point out the syllable count in each line of the poem. Place the books on a chalk tray or table for students to use as model poems.

2. Give students the handout on syllable count poems. Make sure to spend time explaining how students figure out the syllable count of a word. Most students know this from elementary school, but a quick review is usually needed.

3. The average middle school student will be able to find and count syllables in words to create a haiku, tanka, cinquain or limerick. For the advanced poetry writers, explain stressed and unstressed syllables, iambs, feet and meter. They can try writing sonnets.

4. Spend time brainstorming topics for the poems. It is easier for students to write poetry about something in which they have an interest.

5. Allow time for students to start a rough draft of the syllable count poem in class.

5. Assign students to write a final copy of the rhythm poem for homework. Students should illustrate it too.

Other relevant articles: Theme Poetry Project ,Shape & Concrete Poem Lesson , Rhyming Poem Lesson