Acrostic poems are simple and used often for children's activities. These poems are based on the letters of a word, which are written down the left side of a page. Have children pick a word that relates to "Stuart Little," such as "mouse," "Stuart" or "adventure," and write an acrostic poem relating to that word or the book. For example, if the child chooses "mouse" for his poem, the poem will consist of five lines, whose starting letters form M-O-U-S-E when the lines are aligned vertically.
A cinquain poem is an easy form that consists of five lines. The first line is one word, such as "mom," that is both a noun and a title. The second line is a two-word description, such as "loving, honest." The third line is a three-word action phrase, such as "loves to knit," and the fourth line is a four-word, feeling-based phrase, such as "calm, adores helping people" and the fifth line, which is also one word, is a synonym for the title in the first line, such as "parent." Have each student write a cinquain poem based on his favorite "Stuart Little" character.
"Stuart Little" features characters who overcome various trials and tribulations. Have students write an "I Wish" poem from the point of view of a "Stuart Little" character, which, as outlined on the Kathi Mitchell website, consists of between eight and 10 lines that begin with the phrase "I wish." For example, an "I wish" poem written from the perspective of Stuart Little could discuss how Stuart is searching for his friend Margalo and how he wishes he could find her.
The haiku is a simple, well-known form of poetry suitable for students in elementary school. The haiku consists of three lines; the first line is five syllables, the second line is seven syllables and the third line is five syllables. Have students write "Stuart Little" haikus. Provide subject prompts, such as Stuart's substitute teaching job or Stuart's feelings towards Snowbell the cat, or encourage students to explore "Stuart Little" in their own imaginative ways while staying within the prescribed form.