Poems Have Shapes, Too!
Mathematics
Students will explore the world of geometric shapes by writing poetry.What You Need
- writing materials
- Diamante Poetry (PDF file)
What to Do
- Ask students to name geometric shapes. Have volunteers draw the shapes on the board.
- Have students look in the classroom for items that have those shapes.
- Explain to students that they will be creating original diamante poems about the shapes. Write this diamante poem on the board:
Circles
Round, complete
Rolling, holding, finishing
Orbits, pizza, seasons, merry-go-rounds
Thinking, running, looping
Circular, circuitous
Circles
- Ask students if they can figure out the pattern in the diamante poem. Write the complete pattern on the board:
Line 1: subject (noun)
Line 2: two adjectives that describe the subject
Line 3: three participles (verbs ending with “-ing”) that describe the subject
Line 4: four nouns related to the subject
Line 5: three participles (verbs ending with “-ing”) that describe the subject
Line 6: two adjectives that describe the subject
Line 7: noun - Distribute copies of the Diamante Poetry worksheet. Have each student select one geometric shape and, using the template, create his or her own poem.
- When the students have finished, invite them to share their work by reading their poems out loud or displaying them around the room.
Teaching Options
- Invite students to try their hand at writing other kinds of poems that incorporate math or geometry concepts. For instance, cinquains, rhyming couplets, and concrete or visual poems are some of the forms they might explore.
Internet Resources
REALLY COOL MATH POETRY
Written by elementary students, the poems on this site, written in various forms, express basic concepts in math and geometry.
http://www.expage.com/lebeaupoetrypage2
Geometry Meets Poetry Webquest
At this amazing site, students are asked to blend poetry with geometry. To help them, there are many useful links to math and geometry concepts and terms, as well as to poetic styles and devices.
http://newman.needham.k12.ma.us/learningmaps/webquests/new_math_poetry/main.htm
Forms of Poetry for Children
This is the place to go for links to all kinds of children's poetry sites. These sites provide examples of traditional poetry forms, along with easy-to-follow instructions.
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/poeform.htm
Poetry for kids - Fun Poem sites
Tips for teaching poetry, different kinds of children's poetry, examples by famous authors—it's all here on the Web.
http://www.gigglepotz.com/kidspoetry.htm