2. Writing a limerick is fun Just scribble five lines and you’re done You’ll feel energetic When waxing poetic Under a warm Irish sun

3.  5 lines long  Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme with each other.  Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other.  Limericks have a distinct rhythm (more on that in a minute)  They are suppose to be silly! THE LIMERICK

4. LIMERICK RHYTHM There once was a cat named Sam He liked green peas and ham He bit a man Was thrown in a can And now he’s all covered in jam. Lines 1, 2, and 5 have 3 empathized syllables or “beats.” Lines 3 and 4 have 2 emphasized syllables or “beats.” Clap the rhythm as you read this limerick. TIP: To help with rhythm, shoot for 7-9 syllables in lines 1, 2, and 5. And 3-5 syllables in lines 3 and 4.

5. TRY SOME MORE LIMERICKS My aunt has a big, red nose So red, some think it’s a rose She dyed it blue To make it new Instead she got purple toes I know this one squirrel from France He is fond of blue and plaid pants He got a new hat To match his orange cat And now he’s ready to dance. There once was a sailor from Maine His foot gave him lots of pain He went to the doc The doc was Spoc Watch out, he might suck out your brain.

6. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT  Practice writing a few limericks.  Pick your best one.  Draw an illustration to go with your limerick.  Vote on the best one in class!

7.  Here are some starters for you to try… GET GOING! There once was a man from Spain…. There once was a sticky old frog…. There once was a goat named Beep… I once had a ten-foot snake…. My teacher wears long blue wigs…. My dog likes to eat green snails….