1. Cinquain Poetry 4th Grade Leah Lindsey and Charli Eason ECED 4300 B Dr
Cinquain Poetry 4th Grade Leah Lindsey and Charli Eason ECED 4300 B Dr. Tonja Root Spring 2010

2. Prewriting
GPS: ELA4W4 The student consistently uses a writing process to develop, revise, and evaluate writing. The student a. Plans and drafts independently and resourcefully. Leah Lindsey

3. Primary Learning Outcome
The students will complete the prewriting stage of the writing process by completing a graphic organizer. Leah Lindsey

4. A non-rhyming, 5-line poem Describes a person, place, or thing
Cinquain Poetry
A non-rhyming, 5-line poem
Describes a person, place, or thing
Structures can vary

5. Basic structure:
Line 1: A noun that tells what your poem is about
Line 2: Two adjectives that describe Line 1
Line 3: Three action verbs ending with –ing that relate to Line 1
Line 4: A four word phrase that relates to Line 1
Line 5: A Synonym for noun in Line 1

6. Prewriting Getting-ready to write stage
Everything before you begin writing sentences
Things to decide during prewriting:
Form: Explain form of writing for piece of writing (Ex: informational, persuasive, etc.)
Topic: What are you going to write about?
Purpose: Why are you writing your paper?
Audience: Who will read your paper?

7. Complete a graphic organizer
Plan your writing
Helps organizes thoughts and ideas
Use words and phrases (no complete sentences)
Do not worry about spelling or handwriting

8. Cinquain Poetry Graphic Organizer
Line 1______________________________
A noun that tells what your poem is about
Line 2________________, _____________
Two adjectives that describe Line 1
Line 3_________, __________, _________
Three action verbs ending with –ing that relate to Line 1
Line 4______________________________
A four word phrase that relates to Line 1
Line 5______________________________
A synonym for the noun in Line 1
Lindsey, L. (2009). Cinquain poetry graphic organizer. Graphic organizer, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA.

9. Example of Cinquain Poetry
Spider
Creepy, hairy
Crawling, climbing, spinning
Weaving a deadly tangled web
Black Widow
Ripley, J. (n.d.). Spider. Retrieved March 30, 2010, from

10. Practice Activity Shared Writing Technique Topic: School
Basic structure:
Line 1: A noun that tells what your poem is about
Line 2: Two adjectives that describe Line 1
Line 3: Three action verbs ending with –ing that relate to Line 1
Line 4: A four word phrase that relates to Line 1
Line 5: A Synonym for noun in Line 1

11. Complete a graphic organizer to create own cinquain poem
Assessment Activity
Choose your own topic
Complete a graphic organizer to create own cinquain poem

12. Drafting
GPS: ELA4W4 The student consistently uses a writing process to develop, revise, and evaluate writing. The student a. Plans and drafts independently and resourcefully. Charli Eason

13. Primary Learning Outcome
The students will complete a first draft of their Cinquain poem on the topic of their choice based on what they wrote in their graphic organizer.
Charli Eason

14. Drafting
Transferring your ideas from the graphic organizer to your paper
Not set in stone, the first draft can always change
Spelling and Mechanics not checked in this stage

15. Another Example
Planet Graceful, ringed Spinning, whirling, twirling Dances with neighbor Jupiter Saturn
Kautzer, K. (2008). Writing a cinquain poem. Retrieved March 30, 2010, from

16. Work as a class to make a draft Topic: School
Practice Activity
Work as a class to make a draft
Topic: School
Use the structure in the pre-writing stage

17. Assessment activity
Using ideas from your graphic organizer, write a draft of your Cinquain poem.