1. You started rhyming poetry back in Kindergarten.
Rhyme Time
You started rhyming poetry back in Kindergarten.

2. I Have to Write a Poem I have to write a poem I really don't know how
I Have to Write a Poem I have to write a poem I really don't know how. So maybe I'll just make a rhyme with something dumb, like cow. Okay, I'll write about a cow, but that's so commonplace. I think I'll have to make her be... a cow from outer space!

3. How to write a Poem
Kenn Nesbitt explains the creative thought process involved in writing a poem.
In each stanza, Kenn has used three beats for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th lines
da DUM, da DUM, da DUM
He used 4 beats in his third lines.
da DUM, da DUM, da DUM, da
Kenn has used an ABCB rhyme pattern in all stanzas.

4. You don’t have to make your poem rhyme or have a certain rhythm, but adding rhythm and rhyme could make your poem even more special.
Now this is a story all about how My life got flipped turned upside down. And I’d like to take a minute just sit right there. I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air.

5. The rhythm can be an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
That may sound hard to do, but it isn’t. The English language is loaded with rhythms like this, and we tend to speak that way.
Listen: We TEND to SPEAK that WAY.
The rhyme pattern is easy, too: ABCB.

6. Here’s what one stanza of an "If I…" poem looks like:
If I were ruler of the world, I’d make some changes fast. I’d say, "The ruler’s always first; His little brother’s last."

7. Let’s try one with a partner
If I were teacher for a day,
I’d make some changes fast.
I’d say, “___________________”
____________________________.
(Remember the last word has to rhyme with fast.)

8. Pick a partner Complete your poem with your partner.
Be sure to listen for the rhythm and the rhyme.

9. Couplets are two-line poems with a fun and simple rhyming pattern.
Each line has the same meter and their endings rhyme with one another.
Couplets are often humorous
My English teacher wants me to use imagination So I go to math class and let my mind go on vacation!

10. Your turn… Let’s write a couplet about a friend.
My friend’s name is _________and he/she is very ____________________. I like this person as a friend because he/she _______________.

11. Example…
My friend’s name is Mrs. Schone and she is very funny. I like this person as a friend because she shares her money!

12. Have some fun… www.readwritethink.org shape poems (#6)
Poetry Fun- fill in the blank poems