Note: this activity is associated with the lesson on exploring ecosystems.
Flamingo Haiku – Student sample
Haiku poems
Purpose: To understand haikus and how to construct them.
Materials: Recycled paper, pencil, colored pencils, crayons, marker, watercolor paper, watercolors, and water cups.
Common Core Standards:
English Language Arts Standards:
Reading: Literature:
Craft and Structure:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.5 (third) Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.
CCSS.ELA-ELA-Literacy.RL.4.5 (fourth) Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELS-Literacy.RL.5.7 (fifth) Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem).
Reading: Foundational Skills:
Fluency:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4b (third), 4.4b (fourth), and 5.5b (fifth) Read grade-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
Writing:
Range of Writing:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.10 (third), 4.10 (fourth), and 5.10 (fifth) Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
Understandings about the Nature of Science:
Science is a human endeavor:
Science affects everyday life; Creativity and imagination are important to science.
Acorn Woodpecker student example
Procedure: (Discuss haiku poems)
Discuss the structure of haiku poems with students (first line has 5 syllables; second line has 7 syllables; and the third line has 5 syllables). Provide examples, such as:
Ocean Haiku Poem:
Blue, salty water
Important ecosystem
All life depends on
Rainforest Haiku Poem:
Trees, five stories high
High biodiversity
A bounty of life!
- Have students practice haiku poems with you and with each other.
- Encourage students to choose an ecosystem of interest to them when constructing their haiku. Note: If students choose to paint, cut a piece of watercolor paint and paste on metaphor writing activity below (pdf)
- Students can share their work with their classmates and parents. These can also be showcased in the classroom (see below).
- Students can fill in the type of ecosystem in the title of their haiku poem (see pdf).
______________ Haiku Poem
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Written by _______________________________
Completed Student Examples
5th Grade :
Haiku Poem Wetlands Wonder Flowing Water
Haiku Poem Wetlands Western Pond Turtles
Haiku Poem Wetlands Water Nature Freedom
Haiku Poem Wetland Towhee Bird
Haiku Poem Wetlands Spotted Leopard Sharks
Haiku Poem Protect Our Wetlands
Haiku Poem Wetlands Pink Flamingo
Haiku Poem Wetlands Pallidbatsarecool
Haiku Poem Wetlands Nature Is Cool
Haiku Poem Wetlands King Snakes
Haiku Poem Wetlands Harrier Hawk
Haiku Poem Wetlands Habitat For Squirrels
Haiku Poem Wetlands Habitat For Plants
Haiku Poem Wetlands Great Blue Heron
Haiku Poem Wetlands Gopher Snakes
Haiku Poem Wetlands Garter Snakes
Haiku Poem Wetlands Fabulous Wetlands
Haiku Poem Wetlands California newt
Haiku Poem Wetlands Brush Rabbit
Haiku Poem Wetlands Be Responsible
Haiku Poem Wetlands Beautiful Flowers
Haiku Poem Wetlands Awesome Cardinals
Haiku Poem Wetlands Awesome Animals
Haiku Poem Wetlands Amazing Wetlands