Ask your classroom if they know what the five senses are. Draw a picture of a face and hands as your children call out the names of the senses -- smell, touch, taste, hear and see. Tell your children they all have an extra sixth sense -- their imagination. Explain that their imagination allows them to pretend to be someone or something else.
Explain to your class that to write poetry, they must use their imagination. Ask your students if poetry has to rhyme; it does not. Teach your class about the acrostic form. Use a few examples to show your class what the acrostic poem looks like.
Ask your class to come up with a word. For example, think of an animal or food or event. Write the word vertically on the chalkboard in large capital letters.
Brainstorm with your class about words or phrases that fit with the word you wrote on the board. Write these words and phrases to the side.
With the help of your students, fill in the poem with words and phrases from your brainstorm session. The words and phrases need to start with one of the letters of your vertical word.
Read your class poem aloud and give your students a round of applause for writing their first poem together.
Encourage your students to write their own acrostic poems. You may want to give them a handout with the letters of a word written vertically and a horizontal line extending from each letter. Give each student individual attention to help them write their poem. Many young children will need you to write the words for them. Encourage children who are finished with their poem to draw a picture to go along with it while you help other students. You can also write more poems together in class.