# >> K-12 >> K-12 For Educators

How to Teach Haiku to Children

A haiku is a Japanese-style poem that has 17 syllables and does not rhyme. A haiku typically focuses on small items in nature, such as a raindrop on a leaf. There are three lines; the first and last lines contain five syllables each, while the second line contains seven syllables. Teaching haiku to children should start with an introduction to haiku poetry and progress to helping children create their own haiku. Haiku teaches students to notice the small beauties in their world.

Instructions

- 1
  Introduce haiku to your students with a picture book. Haiku By Two lists several possible books to choose from.
- 2
  Ask your students if they notice anything that makes each haiku the same. Write a haiku on the chalkboard and ask the students how many syllables are in each line. Write the answers next to each line. Repeat this with two or three more haiku.
- 3
  Explain that all haiku have three lines, the first and third lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. Tell your students that haiku are usually written about nature. Also explain that haiku poems do not rhyme.
- 4
  Take your students outside. Explain to your students that they should observe their environment and write haiku about what they see. Allow the students to share their haiku with their classmates.

Games to Learn Nouns and Verbs

How to Hold a Good Debate in School