Poetry FormsPoetry Forms

Sixth Grade Poetry Unit

Sixth Grade Poetry Unit

CinquainCinquain

Is a five-line poem describing a subject This traditional pattern follows a syllable

count: 2-syllable title 4-syllable word or phrase 6-syllable phrase 8-syllable phrase 2-syllable word

Is a five-line poem describing a subject This traditional pattern follows a syllable

count: 2-syllable title 4-syllable word or phrase 6-syllable phrase 8-syllable phrase 2-syllable word

Baseballby Cindy Barden

Baseballby Cindy Barden

BaseballBat cracks againstThe pitch, sending it outOver the back fence, I did it!Homerun

BaseballBat cracks againstThe pitch, sending it outOver the back fence, I did it!Homerun

Concrete PoemConcrete Poem

Creates the shape of the poem’s subject

Creates the shape of the poem’s subject

The Racers Knowby Anonymus

The Racers Knowby Anonymus

CoupletCouplet

Composed of two-line stanzas that rhyme

Composed of two-line stanzas that rhyme

Musicby Kelly Meyer

Musicby Kelly Meyer

Voice of instruments fills the airSounds of music everywhere.

The violins singAs the tambourines ring.

Voice of instruments fills the airSounds of music everywhere.

The violins singAs the tambourines ring.

DiamonteDiamonte

A type of poetry that shows change slowly occurring from the first line to the last line.

It is written in the shape of a diamond.

A type of poetry that shows change slowly occurring from the first line to the last line.

It is written in the shape of a diamond.

War and Peaceby Ryan YoungWar and Peaceby Ryan Young

Warrun, hit

stabbing, shooting, killingVietnam, Iran, United States, Japan

living, relaxing, singingharmony, free

Peace

Warrun, hit

stabbing, shooting, killingVietnam, Iran, United States, Japan

living, relaxing, singingharmony, free

Peace

Giving PoemGiving Poem Giving poetry names a subject that

gives an interesting or unusual gift. First line…state the subject Second line…describe what the

subject “gives.” Third line…who or what is receiving

the gift (describing it. Fourth line…describe when it

happens. Use at least two adjectives.

Giving poetry names a subject that gives an interesting or unusual gift.

First line…state the subject Second line…describe what the

subject “gives.” Third line…who or what is receiving

the gift (describing it. Fourth line…describe when it

happens. Use at least two adjectives.

Swimming PoolsBy Katie Myer

Swimming PoolsBy Katie Myer

Swimming poolsgive cool refreshmentto hot bodieson scorching, summer days.

Swimming poolsgive cool refreshmentto hot bodieson scorching, summer days.

HaikuHaiku

A single thought expressed in three non-rhyming lines.

The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables The third line has 5 syllables.

A single thought expressed in three non-rhyming lines.

The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables The third line has 5 syllables.

Sailing by Justin Warwick

Sailing by Justin Warwick

My ship floats the seaI’ll drift to some distant place.Better get started!

My ship floats the seaI’ll drift to some distant place.Better get started!

LimerickLimerick

An amusing verse of five lines Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme. Line 5 refers back to line 1. Lines 3 and 4 are usually shorter

than the other lines.

An amusing verse of five lines Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme. Line 5 refers back to line 1. Lines 3 and 4 are usually shorter

than the other lines.

Alligatorby Chris Castro

Alligatorby Chris Castro

There once was an alligator named Cicilia

If you ever saw her it would chill ya.She wore a hat.She was so fat.

She was always trying to kill-ya.

There once was an alligator named Cicilia

If you ever saw her it would chill ya.She wore a hat.She was so fat.

She was always trying to kill-ya.

Metaphor Metaphor

Consists of statements that describe a word in an interesting and imaginative way.

Consists of statements that describe a word in an interesting and imaginative way.

Springby Larissa Leavens

Springby Larissa Leavens

Spring is a warm sweet hug from heaven.Spring is a warm sweet hug from heaven.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

A poem in which words are used to make sounds.

It should tell a little story, an event, or describe a subject.

Rhyming isn’t necessary.

A poem in which words are used to make sounds.

It should tell a little story, an event, or describe a subject.

Rhyming isn’t necessary.

It’s the Witch by Cara TaylorIt’s the Witch by Cara Taylor

Listen! Listen!Do you hearSomething queerSomething that goesSlish SloshSlashSlishSloshSlashDo you hear?It’s It’sIt’s It’sWitch! Witch!

Listen! Listen!Do you hearSomething queerSomething that goesSlish SloshSlashSlishSloshSlashDo you hear?It’s It’sIt’s It’sWitch! Witch!

Sloshing in the rainWith her crooked caneHer faceOlive green!!!And then I heard a SCREAM!He ha he heIt’s the WITCH

Sloshing in the rainWith her crooked caneHer faceOlive green!!!And then I heard a SCREAM!He ha he heIt’s the WITCH

QuatrainQuatrain

These are four line poems. The lines can rhyme in two

patterns. Lines one and two and three and four Lines one and three and two and four

These are four line poems. The lines can rhyme in two

patterns. Lines one and two and three and four Lines one and three and two and four

Stormsby Lisa Buchanan

Stormsby Lisa Buchanan

Look at how the clouds rumbleOver the lovely navy skyThe lightning flashes and trees

tumbleI’m just glad I’m not that high

Look at how the clouds rumbleOver the lovely navy skyThe lightning flashes and trees

tumbleI’m just glad I’m not that high

SimileSimile

Poems that use “as” or “like” to compare the subject to something else.

Poems that use “as” or “like” to compare the subject to something else.

Summerby Amy Johnson

Summerby Amy Johnson

Summer is as hot as a cauldron with boiling water.Summer is as hot as a cauldron with boiling water.

Tongue TwisterTongue Twister

Tongue Twister poetry is a silly statement in which all words begin with the same sound (alliteration). The statement should be as long as possible.

Tongue Twister poetry is a silly statement in which all words begin with the same sound (alliteration). The statement should be as long as possible.

Flying Flocksby Scott Reames

Flying Flocksby Scott Reames

Five flying flocks of fleas flew over flapping flags. Five flapping flags flying up far.Five flapping flocks of fleas landed on five flying flags.Five flying flocks of fleas fled from the five flapping flags.

Five flying flocks of fleas flew over flapping flags. Five flapping flags flying up far.Five flapping flocks of fleas landed on five flying flags.Five flying flocks of fleas fled from the five flapping flags.

Narrative (Walking Poem)Narrative (Walking Poem)

A poem that tells a story. Has literary elements:

Setting Characters Conflict Resolution

A poem that tells a story. Has literary elements:

Setting Characters Conflict Resolution

What The Doctor Said by Raymond Carver

What The Doctor Said by Raymond Carver

He said it doesn't look good he said it looks bad in fact real bad he said I counted thirty-two of them on one lung before I quit counting them I said I'm glad I wouldn't want to know about any more being there than that he said are you a religious man do you kneel down in forest groves and let yourself ask for help when you come to a waterfall mist blowing against your face and arms do you stop and ask for understanding at those moments I said not yet but I intend to start today he said I'm real sorry he said I wish I had some other kind of news to give you I said Amen and he said something else I didn't catch and not knowing what else to do and not wanting him to have to repeat it and me to have to fully digest it I just looked at him for a minute and he looked back it was then I jumped up and shook hands with this man who'd just given mesomething no one else on earth had ever given me I may have even thanked him habit being so strong

He said it doesn't look good he said it looks bad in fact real bad he said I counted thirty-two of them on one lung before I quit counting them I said I'm glad I wouldn't want to know about any more being there than that he said are you a religious man do you kneel down in forest groves and let yourself ask for help when you come to a waterfall mist blowing against your face and arms do you stop and ask for understanding at those moments I said not yet but I intend to start today he said I'm real sorry he said I wish I had some other kind of news to give you I said Amen and he said something else I didn't catch and not knowing what else to do and not wanting him to have to repeat it and me to have to fully digest it I just looked at him for a minute and he looked back it was then I jumped up and shook hands with this man who'd just given mesomething no one else on earth had ever given me I may have even thanked him habit being so strong

BalladBallad

Ballads are simple stories told in poetic form.

Ballads are used as verses of songs

Ballads are simple stories told in poetic form.

Ballads are used as verses of songs

Extra Poems you will need to

know….

Extra Poems you will need to

know….

The Challengerby Sarah Moore

In the year of 1986The Challenger went up into space.On board were astronauts and a teacherTrying to find an unexplored place.

The audience roared and were filled with hope.And finally the moment was here.The fans watched in awe…While it blew up, and they were full of fear.

The teacher and six astronautsIn a moment… They were gone.But they are up in space,At home, where they belong.

The Challengerby Sarah Moore

In the year of 1986The Challenger went up into space.On board were astronauts and a teacherTrying to find an unexplored place.

The audience roared and were filled with hope.And finally the moment was here.The fans watched in awe…While it blew up, and they were full of fear.

The teacher and six astronautsIn a moment… They were gone.But they are up in space,At home, where they belong.

Free VerseFree Verse

Does not have a specific pattern. Rhythm and the language are used

to express an idea that makes the poem.

Does not have a specific pattern. Rhythm and the language are used

to express an idea that makes the poem.

Morningsby Joel Walton

Morningsby Joel Walton

DaybreakAlarm ringsMom entersSadness comesI must get up

DaybreakAlarm ringsMom entersSadness comesI must get up

LyricLyric

Focuses on sharing feelings and impressions.

Has a strong rhythm, or meter. Includes rhyming words.

Focuses on sharing feelings and impressions.

Has a strong rhythm, or meter. Includes rhyming words.

Dust of Snow by Robert FrostDust of Snow

by Robert FrostThe way a crowShook down on meThe dust of snowFrom a hemlock tree

Has given my heartA change of moodAnd saved some partOf a day I had rued.

The way a crowShook down on meThe dust of snowFrom a hemlock tree

Has given my heartA change of moodAnd saved some partOf a day I had rued.