Shape Poems
Tips for using
Shape Poems
Learning Beyond the Classroom
URL: www.readwritethink.org/materials/shape/
By creating a shape poem, children will learn the basic steps
involved in writing a poem: finding a topic, brainstorming for
ideas, coming up with a title, writing, revising, and publishing.
From basketballs to balloons, children can choose from a variety of
shapes. Building the poem inside the shape helps to focus children’s
attention on the topic. Best of all, this activity teaches children that
poetry can be fun and is something everyone can do.
Here’s What to Do
Intended for: Grades K–5
Children can select a shape from four themes: nature, sports,
Ages 4–11
celebrations, and school. To title the poem, children put the cursor
in the title space. They move the cursor to the body of the shape to
write the poem. Remind children that rhyming isn’t required and to
Technical requirements: Flash 8*
print before exiting.
More Ideas to Try
• Give poems as gifts. Encourage children to write a shape poem in
honor of someone who’s having a birthday soon or as a gift for an
upcoming holiday. Which shape would the recipient like best?
• Look for alternate shapes. Try an outline of a child’s hand or foot.
Also consider letters with accommodating shapes, such as V or O.
Other possibilities include outlines of cars, CDs, or favorite foods.
• Hunt for examples of “shape poems” in the real world. What
shapes hold words or phrases? Keep an eye out for signs, T-shirts,
blimps, and birthday cakes.
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• Look for everyday items that children can use as canvases for their
shape poems. Try a plain T-shirt, a rock, the sole of a sneaker, or
Provides high-quality
a paper plate. And if a child wants to write a skinny ode to that
favorite yellow fruit, offer a banana.
resources for reading and
English language arts learning
* This tool uses the free Flash browser plug-in (version 8 or later), which
can be downloaded from the ReadWriteThink Site Tools page.
To view this tip sheet online, go to
www.readwritethink.org/materials/shape/ShapePoems.pdf.
Supported by the Verizon Foundation
Copyright 2007 IRA/NCTE. All rights reserved.
ReadWriteThink.org materials may be reproduced for educational purposes.
