Poetry Forms: Haiku, Acrostic and Free Verse

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English Language Arts · Creative Writing
SP-CWRIT-005 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
Poetry Forms: Haiku, Acrostic and Free Verse
English Language Arts · Creative Writing · Grades 8-10 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). Write 5-7-5 on the board.
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Students work alone, with an optional partner share.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet, Whiteboard or chalkboard
Goal for today: Students will count syllables to check a haiku and will write an original haiku, acrostic and free verse
poem.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: HAIKU = 3 lines, 5-7-5 syllables. ACROSTIC = first letters spell a word going down. FREE
VERSE = no set rhyme or syllable pattern.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. The poems are open-ended.
Say this to start
Good morning! Today in creative writing your class is trying out three kinds of poems. A haiku follows a syllable
pattern, an acrostic spells a word down the page, and free verse has no set pattern at all. You will read examples,
count some syllables, and then write one of each. Clapping out syllables quietly is a great way to check your work.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance the way the school requires. Hand out the
worksheet.
Settle in and take out a pencil.
5–13
Read the Poetry Forms passage aloud, including all three
example poems. Explain that a syllable is one beat of
sound; clap the word “si-lent” (two claps) to show it.
Follow along and clap syllables quietly.
13–20
Tell students to complete the Syllable Table. They count
syllables in each line by clapping or tapping their desks
lightly.
Count syllables in four lines and write the
numbers.
20–25
Tell students to answer questions 1 and 2.
Answer the two multiple-choice questions.
25–45
Tell students to write their three poems (questions 3, 4 and
5). Walk around and encourage specific images such as
sounds, colors and textures.
Write a haiku, an acrostic of the word
SCHOOL, and a free verse poem.
45–50
Have students share their favorite line with a partner, then
finish the exit ticket. Collect all worksheets.
Share a favorite line, finish the exit ticket,
and hand in the worksheet.

SubstitutePlans.com
English Language Arts · Creative Writing
SP-CWRIT-005 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
If things go wrong
• If students argue over how many syllables a word has, tell them to say it aloud and put a hand under their
chin; the jaw drops once for each syllable.
• If a student says they do not like poetry, remind them that free verse has no rules to follow and can be about
anything school appropriate.
• If a student cannot get the haiku to fit 5-7-5, tell them to write what they want to say first and then trim
words.
• If a student finishes quickly, point to the early finisher list.
Early finishers
• Write a second haiku about a different season.
• Write a four-line acrostic using the word POEM.
• Take one line from your free verse poem and rewrite it with a different verb.
Support and challenge
• Support: Let students write the haiku and the acrostic only, and use the example poems as models.
• Challenge: Ask students to write a haiku that includes a small surprise or turn in the third line.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: