In “Cell-A-Bration” of Cells Haiku Poetry Phoenix Cluster Science

What is haiku?  Haiku is a type of poetry that originated in Japan in the 13 th century.  Haikus usually have a “nature” theme.  Haikus do not rhyme.  Haikus only consist of three lines that follow a syllable pattern.

How do we write a haiku? Step 1- Select a topic (you may want to look at an object or pictures to help you get started). Step 2- Think about your topic. Picture it in your mind. Write down words or phrases that tell “where” the action could be occurring. Step 3- Write words or phrases that tell “what” could be happening. Step 4- Write words or phrases that tell “when” it could be happening. Step 5- Write a phrase for each word using the ideas you have written. Where________________________ What_________________________ When_________________________ Step 6- Adjust the syllables and words (after clapping them out), to fit the haiku pattern. Remember, line one has 5 syllables, line 2 has 7 syllables and line 3 has 5 syllables.

What are we going to do today? We are going to look at haiku poems that other students have created that model the pattern and follow the “nature theme” of cells, specifically cell organelles. We are going to learn, step by step, how to create our own haikus about our current science topic, cell organelles. We are going to make our own haiku poems and use this type of poetry to share our knowledge of the function or jobs of the different organelles we’ve studied.

What are we going to do with our haikus after we write them? After we’ve written our haikus we are going to use them to create flowers to display on a banner that will hang in our hallway in celebration of cells and National Poetry Month to welcome spring…

Let’s take a look at some sample haikus. Are they haikus? Let’s check… Mitochondria Round and have bean shape Powerhouses of the cell Provide energy Ribosomes They build the proteins Attach themselves to “E.R.” Help make DNA Cell Wall Only in plant cells Helps provide shape and support Green and very stiff

Let’s create a haiku on a cell organelle together as a whole class. Are you ready?

Let’s follow our worksheet… Step 1- Select a topic (you may want to look at an object or pictures to help you get started). Step 2- Think about your topic. Picture it in your mind. Write down words or phrases that tell “where” the action could be occurring. Step 3- Write words or phrases that tell “what” could be happening. Step 4- Write words or phrases that tell “when” it could be happening. Step 5- Write a phrase for each word using the ideas you have written. Where________________________ What_________________________ When_________________________ Step 6- Adjust the syllables and words (after clapping them out), to fit the haiku pattern. Remember, line one has 5 syllables, line 2 has 7 syllables and line 3 has 5 syllables.

Checklist to Success… You want to receive an “A” on this project, right? Did you…? Choose an organelle that you studied from an animal or plant cell? Think about the specific job or function that it has in the cell. What does it do? Write down “fast facts” about your chosen organelle. A great place for ideas is from your cell flash cards. Complete your “Write a Haiku” worksheet. Fill in all of the steps and make sure that in the end, your poem follows the line pattern and most importantly … Make sure that it correctly describes what your cell organelle does. Ask a student at your table to “peer review” your haiku before you show Mrs. Hankinson. If you have completed each of the steps to success above then you can show the teacher your “rough copy.”