Define hyperbole for the students as a figure of speech using exaggeration for effect. Explain that poets use hyperbole in their work to create a mood.
Read examples of hyperbole poems to the class, such as “Babe, the Blue Ox,” part of the Paul Bunyan legend.
Brainstorm as a group. Let the children choose a topic to write a poem about and brainstorm descriptors. Guide them in choosing strong or even extreme terms.
Draft a poem using words and phrases from the brainstorming exercise. Remind the children of the hyperbole poems they read already and guide them in putting their words together in a similarly creative way.
Edit the poem. Have children read the poem aloud to each other or to you. Stop and ask if the poem flows and if they can think of any synonyms to make their exaggeration even stronger.
Let the children get creative on their own. Prompt them with questions if they get stuck thinking of descriptors, asking, for example "How much do you love your cat/French fries/math?" Remind them to follow all of the steps modeled in the writing process.