An Introduction to Poetry for Fifth Graders

Nicole Kerber

ED 205 Sec 01

Parts of a PoemAlliteration Onomatopoeia Repetition

Rhyme Allegory Metaphor

Rhythm Hyperbole Simile

Paradox Oxymoron Allusion

Resources

About the AuthorCHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

Fun Video for Some Review

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Alliteration

The beginning letters of a set of words are the same

Example:

“Loosen the light

Let it dance across the sky”

-4th grader

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Rhyme

When two words have similar sounds in their last syllables

Example:

“Faster than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches.”

-R.L. Stevenson

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Rhythm

The “beat” or alteration of stressed and unstressed syllables

Example:

“I see my boat

Is still afloat”

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Paradox

A statement which apparently contradicts itself

Example:

“Thence

Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail”

-Robert Browning

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Onomatopoeia

The sound of the word is like the sound of the thing it is describing

Example:

“Pop, pop, pop!

Says the popcorn in the pan”

-Louise Abney

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Allegory

Story where persons and events are meant to represent something other than

themselves alone

Example: TIME

“Who’s creeping around the clock so rapidly? Where are you going? Who are you? Round

and round again. Every move you make screaming and scolding, ‘Rush! Rush! Hurry!’

STOP!”

-Jennifer, age 13

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Hyperbole

An exaggeration

Example:

“Suddenly night leaves

And light takes its place

Shining like a ball of fire

Like a parade

Cymbals! Horns! Drums!

You know the morning has arrived.”

-Kim, age 11Quit

Oxymoron

Two apparently opposite ideas are put together (a squashed paradox)

Example:

“Freezing fire, burning ice”

-John Milton

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Repetition

Repeating words or whole groups of words

Example:

“Loosen the knot of birds.

Don’t ruffle the leaves.

Don’t rattle the trees.

Don’t blow over the bike.

Fold the rainbow neatly.”

-Billy, age 9Quit

Metaphor

Direct comparison without using the words “like” or “as”

Example:

“Broken glass in the alley,

Broken glass in the street.

I am the city wind.

I whip through slums

On a rainy day.”

-Tim, age 10Quit

Simile

Comparison using the words “like” or “as”

Example:

“Brave man

On a high wire

Above the spellbound crowd.

Like a spider on its silk web,

He glides.”

-Joseph, age 13Quit

Allusion

Reference to commonly known stories or characters

Example:

“He was a very Hercules, and I a famous coward”

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Check for Understanding

Question One:

Which term does this poem represent?

Wonder what happened

To Flash Gordon and Tarzan-

And sunny Sundays.

A. Rhyme or B. Allusion

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Sorry! Try Again!

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Good Job!

Question Two:

Which term does this poem represent?

Spring is here

And summer is near.

Winter is far,

And we’ll sing about a star.

A. Rhyme or B. Metaphor

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Sorry! Try Again!

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Good Job!

Question Three:

Which term does this poem represent?

My ears will be ringing

‘till I’m half deaf

A. Hyperbole or B. Onomatapoeia

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Sorry! Try Again!

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Good Job!

Question Four:

Which term does this poem represent?

My apartment bulges out

Like a huge balloon.

A. Simile or B. Metaphor

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Sorry! Try Again!

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Good Job!

Question Five:

Which term does this poem represent?

Crash violently

Cars burn. Rubber! Smash! BAM

Car explodes violently-AHH!

But wait…

-Bert, age 11

A. Allegory or B. Onomatopoeia

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Sorry! Try Again!

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CONGRATULATIONS!

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Resources

A Celebration of Bees: Helping Children Write Poetry by Barbara Juster Esbensen

Poems Please! Sharing Poetry with Children by David Booth and Bill Moore

http://www.cccoe.net/social/images/g0501342.GIF

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About the Author

Nicole Kerber is currently a sophomore at Grand Valley State University. She is studying English and Elementary Education. She is from Hopkins, Michigan. Her hobbies and interests include reading, movies, culture, travel, and spending time with loved ones.

I would love to hear from you! Send me an email!

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