08/13/2016 10:24 pm
Why not! I thought it would be fun to share a limerick this week and invite you to write one too. Mine is about me and a spider.
When teaching (grades 4-8), I found that starting a new school year by writing poems and sharing them was an exciting way get students hooked on writing. I must admit it—limericks are so much fun! In the classroom we learn about using some of the tools in our writer’s tool box—tools like assonance (repeating vowel sounds) and consonance (repeating consonant sounds) to create a musical message. And of course, we had Scholastic rhyming dictionaries and thesauruses close at hand. It’s always exciting to discover alternative words (synonyms) that have just the right sounds and syllables to perfect our poems.
Whether you’re a teacher, a parent or simply want to share the love of reading and writing, get the kids together and give it a try. Read on to discover what inspired me to write my spider limerick and have lots of fun writing and reading with the kids!
Click the link to find out all about it How to Write a Limerick http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/how-to-write-a-limerick/
Before I wrote this limerick, I had been watching several spiders weave their webs on the outside screens of our back porch all during the spring and summer. Spiders are fascinating creatures to watch from a safe distance. But, up close and personal they frighten me. The photo for the limerick was taken by me (safely inside the screen). Nature and my own human nature inspired me to write this one:
There once was a tall timid writer
Who spotted an intrepid spider
She jumped up and screamed
Then she suddenly beamed
“Why, I’ll write a fine book about spiders!”
~ Bette A. Stevens
Posted by Bette A. Stevens
Categories: Children's Activities, Children's Literature, Education, Literacy, Maine Author, My Poetry, Nature, Parenting, Poetry, Reading with Children, Writing, Writing Challenges, Writing Tips
Tags: limericks, nature and human nature, Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary, Spider Limerick by Bette A. Stevens, spiders, Teaching Writing/Research, Using a thesaurus, writer's tool box, writing limericks, writing with children
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[…] Source: Write a Limerick! […]
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By *Pressed* Write a Limerick! | itsgoodtobecrazysometimes on 09/30/2017 at 11:40 am
That’s a great idea for our first week of homeschool, which will be starting tomorrow! Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.
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By Forever Joyful on 08/28/2016 at 3:32 pm
Thanks, Tina. Have an amazing week! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/28/2016 at 5:16 pm
Love your limerick! My poetry unit was always one of my favorites for my 1st and 2nd-graders!
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By Lisa/SyncopatedMama on 08/21/2016 at 11:09 pm
Thanks, Lisa! Poetry was a foundation in my classrooms (grades 4-8). Kids of all ages blossom to its music and magic. Have a magical week! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/22/2016 at 2:21 pm
My 12-year old loves writing limericks! Thank you so much for linking up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
Tina
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By mommynificent on 08/18/2016 at 10:15 am
Hi, Tina. Thanks for the note of confidence. Kids really love writing laugh-out-loud limericks and sharing them too! Have lots of fun with the kids every day! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/18/2016 at 8:13 pm
This is great fun. You’re inspiring me to try a limerick of my own. 🙂
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By cathleentownsend on 08/17/2016 at 1:11 pm
Hi, Cathleen. Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a fun & fabulous day! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/17/2016 at 2:10 pm
There once was a man with a novel,
For readers he often would grovel.
With not enough sold,
Before he got old,
He’ll be living inside of a hovel.
My first attempt 🙂
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By Don Massenzio on 08/16/2016 at 2:45 pm
Oh, I do just love it, Don! Thanks so much for adding a big smile and a huge chuckle to my day. Cheers! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/16/2016 at 4:11 pm
Thanks!
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By Don Massenzio on 08/16/2016 at 4:14 pm
Fun,Bette. Now you need to write one about monarchs!
There was an impaired lepidopterist
Who needed to be a chronologist
He sought moths in the morning
While night searches scorning
Stung, he was soon hymenopterist.
Not quite there….
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By noelleg44 on 08/15/2016 at 10:13 pm
Love it, Noelle! Fun and informative.. I searched the web to find out about hymenoperta. 🙂 Now, I’ll just have to write one about monarchs. My to-do-list needs doing. Ouch! 🙂 Hugs,dear friend!
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/16/2016 at 4:07 pm
I too love limericks! I wrote this a year ago:
There once was a girl named Amiss
Who’s goal in her life was to kiss
With men she would meet
Their faces she’d greet
And nary a one did dismiss
The boys from around got to know
From Amiss they’d get quite a show
They’d come from afar
To see the new star
Only to find she’s a miss
Now time as you know won’t be harried
But the message of course will be carried
From the men she did meet
There was one she did keep
And now the miss is a married
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By quiall on 08/15/2016 at 8:06 am
Fantastic! Thanks so much for the share and the visit. 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/15/2016 at 2:58 pm
What fun! Limericks, haikus, sonnets — I love the challenge of arranging words for beauty and meaning!
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By Michele Morin on 08/14/2016 at 8:22 pm
Fun, indeed, Michelle. Have a fabulous week! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/15/2016 at 2:57 pm
Loved your limerick, Bette. Spiders aren;t so bad. They actually are useful little creatures.
Hugs, my friend.
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By macjam47 on 08/14/2016 at 8:19 pm
Thanks, Michelle. So glad you stopped by for a visit. We’ve had quite a time watching the acrobatic escapades of our warm weather outdoor guests this year. Have a fantastic week! 🙂 ❤
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 8:41 pm
Thanks, Bette. You too.
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By macjam47 on 08/15/2016 at 6:35 am
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Enjoy this fun post by Bette Stevens who wrote a limerick about a spider.
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By macjam47 on 08/14/2016 at 8:18 pm
I am also afraid of spiders, though like you, I can watch them as long as they aren’t near or (heaven forbid!!) on me. I don’t think I could write about them without being entirely creeped out 🙂 Good limerick.
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By Marilyn Armstrong on 08/14/2016 at 12:25 pm
Thanks, Marilyn. I had fun writing this one. Believe it or not, we’ve been observing seven of these intrepid critters claim new home territory under the eaves of the porch. Normally, I wisk their webs away with a broom weekly; but this year my back won’t cooperate. Lucky spiders. 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 1:31 pm
Ha ha ha. I love the limmerick, Bette. Typical writer! It reminded me of the children’s book “Joseph had an overcoat.” Everything is fodder for the writer’s soul.
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By D. Wallace Peach on 08/14/2016 at 10:46 am
Thanks, Diana. Chuckling at your thoughtful note–Typical…. Luck us~sky’s the limit! 🙂 ❤
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 3:42 pm
What a very lovely limerick, Bette! 🙂 It´s like a whole story all on its own. Have a wonderful sunday! xxx
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By Miss Gentileschi on 08/14/2016 at 10:06 am
Thank you, Sarah. Have an amazing week, my friend! 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 2:22 pm
Bette – just a delightful poem! I checked out the link to learn how to write one and found a rhyming dictionary and thesaurus. Thank you!!! Your limerick… sounds like a new book, Bette!
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By John Fioravanti on 08/14/2016 at 9:41 am
Have fun, John! Limericks are contagious, my friend. Finished reading A Personal Journey to the Heart of Teaching–inspiring memoir that I highly recommend to educators everywhere –will write a review soon. Thanks so much for stopping by to chat. 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 2:33 pm
Thank you very much, Bette. So glad you enjoyed my Journey!
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By John Fioravanti on 08/14/2016 at 4:03 pm
There once was a middle-aged writer,
Whose sci-fi ideas would excite her,
She’d jump up in the night,
To scribble and write
Though her books didn’t always delight her…
There’s mine:) They are addictive, aren’t they? I use them with my Creative Writing students sometimes.
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By sjhigbee on 08/14/2016 at 9:40 am
Awesome! So much fun and they really are addictive, Diana. Thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 2:16 pm
I know! I’m something of an addict…
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By sjhigbee on 08/14/2016 at 8:47 pm
Bette, I loved your spider limerick. And the poetry link was so helpful. I’m keeping this for future reference. Now, you do know, you’ll have to write a book about spiders. Grin. I love to write in rhythm and rhyme. 😀 I’ll also share this fabulous post.
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By Tracy Campbell on 08/14/2016 at 6:18 am
Young or old, the magic of poetry keeps readers and writers begging for more. So glad you enjoyed the spider limerick,Tracy. Thanks so much for stopping to chat and for sharing the post. May your week be filled with wonders! 🙂 ❤
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 3:50 pm
Bette, I love the limerick – and at first thought this might be your new project! 😃 Also a great photograph. I’m not usually scared of spiders and often catch them indoors to return to nature; think I’d run from this one though! I bet your classes loved the poetry sessions and writing limericks is such fun – as a family we will often sit after dinner coming up with them.
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By Annika Perry on 08/14/2016 at 5:32 am
Hi, Annika. How delighted I am to hear about your family’s limerick writing tradition. An unforgettable way to share the love and fun of language with the next generation and build family bonds at the same time! Having fun with words–reading and writing poetry/ limericks has always been one of my favorite things to share. Kids bud and bloom when they discover and delight in the magic! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. 🙂 Hugs!
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By Bette A. Stevens on 08/14/2016 at 3:35 pm