Overview

In this lesson, students will learn the background of limericks and the elements that make up this funny type of poem. Using a detailed limerick writing guide, students will develop their own limericks. Once their limericks fulfill all of the limerick elements, students will

write a final copy for sharing and display.

Skills- Creative Writing- Poetry – rhyme scheme, rhythm

Materials- Class set of Limerick Writing Guide- Class set of final copy paper (copied on cardstock)

Lesson Plan

1. Explain to students that they will be learning about and writing limericks. Share background information with students (see “Teacher Resource Limericks”).

2. Share limerick example:Example:

There was an old man in a tree,whose whiskers were lovely to see;

but the birds in the airpluck’d them perfectly bare,

to make themselves nests in a tree.

3. Using the example, have students clap out the syllables in each line. Note that lines one, two, and five have 8 syllables. Note that lines three and four have 6 syllables.

4. Review the rhyme scheme of the example limerick with students. Note the sing-songy scheme (like a nursery rhyme): a a b b a

5. Discuss the humor of the example limerick. Note how the last line has the punch line. (Idea: Find other limericks for students to investigate.)

6. Lead students through the brainstorm• Step 1: All students will be writing about themselves. (This prevents them

from insulting others.)• Step 2: Help students brainstorm funny things about themselves: Are they

clumsy, forgetful, bossy? Do they have any unusual habits like collecting odd objects or eating their potato chips with ketchup?

• Step 3: Read through the pattern with students. Then, lead students through the pattern once they have selected the humorous element they will be writing about.

• Step 4: Review the rhyme scheme of a limerick. Note the letters identifying the rhyme scheme at the end of each line. Give students an opportunity to begin rhyming their poems.

• Step 5: Review the syllable break-up of the limerick. Explain that each line in the writing guide represents a syllable (not a word). Have students write out their poems following the rhythm.

• Step 6: Final revision – Lead students through the final revision elements. (Students could work with a partner to review their limericks).

7. Distribute the final copy paper. Have students write their limericks.8. Have students share and/or display their limericks with the class.

Lucky Limericks

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Teacher ResourceLimericks

Background:

• Limericks are short and witty poems.

• It is often believed that the limerick was invented in the 1700’s by soldiers returning from France to the Irish town of Limerick.

• Limericks are generally meant to be humorous.

• Limericks have 5 lines.

• The rhyme and rhythm of a limerick helps it read as a light-hearted poem.

• In lines 1,2, and 5 – the last words rhyme.

• In lines 3 and 4 – the last words rhyme (but not with lines 1, 2, and 5)

Limerick Elements:

• 5 lines

• Lines 1, 2, and 5:

– Have 8 syllables each

– End words rhyme

• Lines 3 and 4:

– Have 6 syllables each

– End words rhyme

• Rhyme scheme: a a b b a

• Meant to be humorous

– Last line contains the punch line

• Often contains hyperbole (a deliberate exaggeration)

• Often contains onomatopoeia (words that imitate sounds)

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Prepare students for standardized testing with the engaging units in this

bundle:

You’ll find over 2 weeks of lessons and resources in

this popular Poetry Writing Unit:

Help your students develop critical reading

comprehension skills with the mini-units compiled in this MEGA BUNDLE.

Studying figurative language is super fun

with this resource:CE

Name _________________________________

STEP 1: Choose a Topic

The first step in writing a good limerick is choosing a good topic. Limericks are usually written about individuals or specific characters. Most often they begin with the words: There once was a… or There was a …

The topic of your limerick will be…YOU!

STEP 2: Make it Funny

Limericks are good-natured and usually silly or funny.

Brainstorm a list of words or phrases that describe humorous things about yourself. (Keep in mind that the words and phrases must eventually rhyme.)

Funny things about me…

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STEP 3: Try this Pattern

Now that you know the topic and the funny characteristic associated with the topic, it’s time to try writing a limerick. This is a nice limerick pattern to follow:

Line 1: Tell who you are and where you are from.

________________________________________________________________________

Line 2: Describe yourself and tell something interesting or funny about yourself.

________________________________________________________________________

Line 3 and Line 4: Give more details about the interesting/funny trait mentioned in line 2.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Line 5: Based on the first four lines, finish off the limerick with a surprising or funny ending.

________________________________________________________________________

STEP 4: Focus on Rhyme

Limericks have a specific rhyme scheme. Using your poem from Step 3, begin to edit the poem so that lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme and lines 3 and 4 rhyme.

_____________________________________________________________________ a

_____________________________________________________________________ a

________________________________________________________________ b

_________________________________________________________________ b

______________________________________________________________________ a

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STEP 5: Focus on Rhythm

Limericks have a specific rhythm. Using your poem from Step 4, begin to edit the poem so that lines 1,2, and 5 each have 8 syllables and lines 3 and 4 have 6 syllables.

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

STEP 6: Final Revision

Review your limerick and make sure that it meets the following criteria:

The topic is YOU!

It tells about something silly or humorous.

Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme

Lines 3 and 4 rhyme

Lines 1, 2, and 5 have 8 syllables

Lines 3 and 4 have 6 syllables

All words are spelled correctly

Punctuation marks are included

Then, rewrite your limerick on the final copy paper.

Copyright © 2015 Brain Waves Instruction All rights reserved by author.For classroom use only by a single teacher. Please purchase one licensure per teacher using this product.

Copyright © 2015 Brain Waves Instruction All rights reserved by author.For classroom use only by a single teacher. Please purchase one licensure per teacher using this product.

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

_______________________________________________

Copyright © 2015 Brain Waves Instruction All rights reserved by author.For classroom use only by a single teacher. Please purchase one licensure per teacher using this product.

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