Here are some of the poetry writing lessons for children that Ken Nesbits has written. These should help you learn to write your own poems.
How to Write Funny Poetry
Rhythm in Poetry
Poetic Forms
A poetic “form” is a set of rules for writing a certain type of poem. These rules can include the number of lines or syllables the poem should have, the placement of rhymes, and so on. Here are lessons for writing several common poetic forms.
Other Poetic Styles
There are many different styles of poems. These are not “poetic forms” because they don’t usually have firm rules about length, syllable counts, etc., but they are common enough that many well-known children’s poets have written poems like these.
Reciting Poetry
Poetry Dictionaries and Rhyming Words Lists
When reading these lessons, you may come across some unfamiliar words. If you see a poetic term and don’t know what it means, you can always look it up in the Poetic Terms Dictionary. Poetry4kids also has a rhyming dictionary and a list of rhyming words you can use to help you write poems.
How to Write Funny Poetry
- Chapter 1: Writing Poetry
- Chapter 2: How to Rhyme
- Chapter 3: Choosing a Topic
- Chapter 4: Making it Funny
Rhythm in Poetry
Poetic Forms
A poetic “form” is a set of rules for writing a certain type of poem. These rules can include the number of lines or syllables the poem should have, the placement of rhymes, and so on. Here are lessons for writing several common poetic forms.
- How to Write an Acrostic Poem
- How to Create Book Spine Poetry
- How to Write a Cinquain Poem
- How to Write a Clerihew
- How to Write a Concrete or “Shape” Poem
- How to Write a Diamante Poem
- How to Create a “Found Poem”
- How to Write a Free Verse Poem
- How to Write a Haiku
- How to Write a Limerick
- How to Write a Tanka Poem
Other Poetic Styles
There are many different styles of poems. These are not “poetic forms” because they don’t usually have firm rules about length, syllable counts, etc., but they are common enough that many well-known children’s poets have written poems like these.
- How to Write an Alliteration Poem
- How to Write an Apology Poem
- How to Write a “Backward” Poem
- How to Write an Exaggeration Poem
- How to Write a “Favorite Things” List Poem
- How to Write a Funny Epitaph Poem
- How to Write a Funny List Poem
- How to Write a Traditional “Mother Goose” Nursery Rhyme
- How to Write a Fractured Nursery Rhyme
- How to Write an “I Can’t Write a Poem” Poem
- How to Write a “Playing With Your Food” Poem
- How to Write Riddle Rhymes
- How to Write a “Roses are Red” Valentine’s Day Poem
- How to Write a Silly Song Parody
Reciting Poetry
Poetry Dictionaries and Rhyming Words Lists
When reading these lessons, you may come across some unfamiliar words. If you see a poetic term and don’t know what it means, you can always look it up in the Poetic Terms Dictionary. Poetry4kids also has a rhyming dictionary and a list of rhyming words you can use to help you write poems.