Review what syllables are with the class. Syllables build words. They are composed of vowels and consonants and together form the words we speak. For example, the word "dog" is one syllable, while the word "kitchen" is two syllables (kit + chen).
Explain the cinquain's format to your students. The poem is five lines and follows a specific syllabic pattern: two, four, six, eight and two syllables. Draw the format on the board so everyone can see:
2 syllables
4 syllables
6 syllables
8 syllables
2 syllables
Provide an example poem to the class. For instance:
The dog
went to the store,
bought juice, candy, apples
and brought everything home to share
with friends.
Write this on the board so everyone can read it. Review the poem so the students understand how many syllables make up each line.
Compose a cinquain through class participation. Ask the students to raise their hands to suggestion lines. Write the poem on the board for all to see.