Before students can write their own fantastic poetry, they need to be able to identify the rhyme scheme in poems they read. Break the class into pairs and distribute a different poem to each group of two. Have students track the rhyme scheme by writing a letter of the alphabet next to each new rhyme, starting with the letter "a." Reassemble and have groups share what they found. Be sure to correct any mistakes.
Different rhyme schemes correspond to different forms of poetry and stanzas. Teach your sixth-grade students about some of these, including the ballad stanza (abab), the clerihew (aabb), the couplet (aa), the envelope stanza (abba) and Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets. Distribute poem to your students or use the same ones from the rhyme identification exercise. Have students determine the poetic form on their handouts.
Once sixth-grade students know how to identify rhyme scheme and classify it, they can begin putting their knowledge and creativity to use. Distribute sheets to students with one or two lines of poetry on them and a rhyme scheme or the name of a poetic form. Have students complete the stanza according to the rhyme scheme or form. Encourage students to be creative, imaginative or funny as they complete the stanza. Have students read their completed work out loud to the class.
The ultimate goal of learning about rhyme scheme is to get your sixth-graders to write their own poetry. Have students plan in advance what type of rhyme scheme they wish to use. Encourage them to connect their choice to the content or subject of their poem. For example, a ballad rhyme scheme would be appropriate for lighter material, while a sonnet is typically associated with more intense or passionate content. Have students write their poems, adhering to the rhyme scheme they have chosen. Encourage them to share their work aloud with the rest of the class.