Learning to write various styles of poetry in fun ways helps students understand how writing comes together, and increases their ability to create imagery and effect with their words. Because poetry is a form of expression, it encourages creative thinking, and can have a positive impact on social and emotional learning. Learning to write poetry encourages kids to think outside the box, connect, infer, categorize, and apply new concepts, which encourages higher order thinking skills for children. Poetry helps increase vocabulary, and develop rich language. It can inspire writing by allowing students to follow simple patterns to create a poem successfully. Writing poetry is a transferable skill that not only inspires writing, but will help students write in other ways and styles. The benefits of learning to write poetry are many, and it can also be a lot of fun for young writers!

In this camp, students will be exposed to and practice a minimum of 8 different styles of poetry. One new, fun poetry style will be introduced in each class days 1-8. On day 9, students will choose their favorite poetry style to create a final poem. Each day, students will learn about the new style, explore examples, brainstorm words and ideas to go with the specific theme, have the opportunity to write independently with support, respond artistically to their original poetry through drawing or coloring, and have a share time at the end of each session.

In this hot, summer camp, our poetry will be summer themed, including topics such as camping, swimming, fishing, ice cream, watermelon, beach and s’mores.  Students will incorporate their own favorite summer activities, too. At the end of the camp, students will have examples from each class, and 8 original poetry samples to build their own Hot Summer Poetry Journal! Splash on in to this fun, summer poetry camp, inspire a love for writing, express yourself, and build skills and confidence for becoming a successful, creative writer!

Not every student writes at the same pace, and that is okay. Each student will be expected to write with support for the entirety of our independent writing time. However, some students may require extra time after class to complete their original poetry, or finish creating their artistic response through drawing or coloring. I may include optional, extra practice for home to allow further opportunity to enhance what we learned in class. 

If your student misses a class in the camp, there is no need to worry.  All worksheets from each class, as well as the class replay, will be available for your student to review and practice on their own. 

On the final day of the course, we will share favorite poems from the camp and our personal poetry journals, and spend the independent writing portion writing a poetry style of each students’ choosing. This will be a great time to reflect on what we have learned, and share our new found love of poetry with other creative writers, while encouraging and inspiring each other on our writing journeys. 
 
Day 1: Acrostic Poetry

Day 2: Haiku Poetry

Day 3: Tanka Poetry and Lune Poetry (They are similar styles with varying syllables required per line.)

Day 4: Hyperbole Poetry

Day 5: Onomatopoeia Poetry

Day 6: Cinquain Poetry 

Day 7: Ballad Stanza Poetry

Day 8: Concrete / Shape Poetry

 There will be worksheets available for each class meeting, and will be attached to our classroom. Students can print these prior to class and bring them to their respective sessions. If a student is unable to print the class materials, they will need to bring a few sheets of their own lined paper to write on during the independent writing portion of each class. 

Students need to come prepared with pencils, erasers, and either worksheets or lined paper for each class. I ask that students write and practice new poetry styles in pencil only during class. 

It is to the benefit of all students to participate in the brainstorming and discussion activities in these classes. Each student will be given the opportunity to share their poetry aloud, but it will not be mandatory. 
Students may also share their poetry via post in our classroom after class. 

We will use markers, crayons, colored pencils/pens, or paints to create colors, images, or drawings in response to our personal poetry each day. Students will be encouraged to freely create and share if they choose to. 

Students will be encouraged to show respect and kindness towards one another’s original works and creations. Kindness and encouragement are valued in my classroom. Each student should feel safe, free, and respected. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated, and will be addressed appropriately. 

* This camp needs a minimum of two students to run.