Literacy & Writing: Using language inspired by freedom songs to write haikus, cinquains, and

acrostics
Learning target: I can use sensory language to write haikus, cinquains and acrostics
Standards:
Craft and Structure
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative
language such as metaphors and similes.
Writing
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
Materials:
PowerPoint showing haikus, cinquains and acrostics
Graphic organizer with three poem structures
Music to accompany poetry writing
Graphic organizer with checklist and comments section for peer editing
Activity/Procedure:
Part 1: Introduce three structures of poems (30 minutes)
What is a haiku?
o A 3 line poem with 17 total syllables broken up into a 5-7-5 structure; originally
developed by Japanese poets;use sensory language to capture a feeling or image;
often inspired by an element of nature, a moment of beauty, or another poignant
experience
o Go over structure of a haiku and what a syllable is
o Show examples of haikus
o Clap while reading haikus aloud in unison (to practice understanding syllabic
structure)
o Place hand under chin as students say words (however many times your jaw
touches hand tells you how many syllables there are)
What is a cinquain?
o A 5 line poem that has 22 total syllables broken into a 2,4,6,8,2 structure;
title/noun (1 word=2 syllables); Descriptive words (2 words= 4 syllables); action
verbs (3 words= 6 syllables); feeling phrase (4 words= 8 syllables) ; synonym for
title/noun (1 word=2 syllables)
o Go over structure of a cinquain
o Show examples of cinquains
o Clap while reading haikus aloud in unison (to practice understanding syllabic
structure)
o Place hand under chin as students say words (however many times your jaw
touches hand tells you how many syllables there are)
What is an acrostic?

o An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the first, last or other letters in a line
spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an
acrostic poem is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.
o Go over structure of an acrostic
o Show examples of an acrostic
o Emphasize that with writing an acrostic, the sentences allow writers to use
metaphors and similes
Go over what metaphors and similes are

Ask why we might want to use poems like these three types
o Working within a structure helps to summarize thoughts and feelings
o Concise nature of poems helps reader to stay focused, and writer to focus on
meaning of words since fewer are allowed
o Using figurative language to express emotion and to create a visceral reaction
Think about the emotions expressed in freedom songs we listened to yesterday
Take out your homework
o We are going to create poems using the words we used to describe the freedom
songs
Part 2: Poetry workshop: Writing haikus, cinquains, and acrostics (45 minutes)
Hand out graphic organizer that has the structure of a haiku and cinquain, with examples
of haiku, cinquain and acrostic (acrostic asks for one metaphor and one simile)
o Students count number of syllables and write on lines provided
Students will use homework from previous night as a platform for beginning to write
(wrote in journals the emotions expressed and the message they would want to convey if
they were to write a song for the Freedom Riders movement)
Students write poems while listening to music (TBD)
o Write at least one poem of each type
o *Extension: write draft of poem and do peer editing
o provide students with a checklist and ask them to comment on each others work
o publish final poem before poetry reading
students can color on border of work (elements relating to text only)
Poetry reading snap like a poetry caf (30 minutes)
Next step: Publishing poems
o Select favorite poem
o We will create a poetry wall: Poems inspired by the songs of the Freedom
Riders
o Students can decorate poems and attach to background paper

Differentiation:
One-on-one check ins
Show additional examples of haikus, cinquains, and acrostics
Homework:
Pick your two favorite poem structures and write poems inspired by the Freedom Riders
Ideas for poems include (but are not limited to):

o
o
o
o

Reactions to what you have learned so far

A freedom song
Sign for a protest
Flyer