A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Have Fun Writing Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too!

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Write a Halloween Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too!

black-cat-halloween-haiku-bas-2016Midnight—my fabulous furry feline—inspired me to write BLACK CAT, a Halloween haiku (Haiku: a Japanese-inspired three-line: 5-7-5 syllable poetry form) and design a poster to go with the poem. Kids love illustrating their poetry.

What’s inspiring you this Halloween?
Brainstorm your list and get writing.
Have fun—don’t forget to get the kids writing too!

Here are some writer’s tricks (literary devices found in every writer’s toolbox) I used to create BLACK CAT. These tools can set a mood— they make writing and reading memorable and fun.  Check them out and see if you can discover where I used them in my poem.

Read on to find out more about these literary devices.

Black cat waits, watches…
Stalking tricksters in their web.
Spiders are her treats!

Three Writer’s Tricks (Literary devices) used in writing poetry and prose

Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

Consonance
Another literary device used by writers and poets is consonance. It is the repetition of the final consonant sounds, usually in the more important words or in the accented syllables.

Alliteration
You put your alliteration tool to work when words that start with the same sound are used close together in a phrase or sentence. The sound is usually a consonant and the words don’t have to always be right next to one another.

Finding “just the right words”
Abundant resources are available in print as well as through online searches. Listed below are the two resources I had readily available in the classroom for my students (Grades 4-8). Paperbacks are inexpensive enough to have multiple copies available, and in my opinion, they are indispensable.

  • The Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary by Sue Young
  • Webster’s Thesaurus for Students by Merriam-Webster

                        Happy Writing and Reading Haiku

                                    & Happy Halloween!

                     ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator

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Written

on 10/19/2016

Comments on: "Have Fun Writing Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too!" (65)

  3. Write a Winter Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too! —”Snowfalls” (Haiku from MY MAINE) by Bette A. Stevens | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    12/04/2018 at 10:31 am

    […] More tips for children and adults from Bette A. Stevens on writing poetry https://4writersandreaders.com/2016/10/19/have-fun-writing-haiku-get-the-kids-writing-too/ […]

    Like

  5. Cynthia Reyes said:
    04/06/2018 at 9:16 am

    If I knew that, I didn’t remember! Thank you, Bette.

    Like

  6. Winter Tale (HAiKU) by Bette A. Stevens | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    03/12/2018 at 10:01 am

    […] Tips for children and adults from Bette A. Stevens on writing poetry https://4writersandreaders.com/2016/10/19/have-fun-writing-haiku-get-the-kids-writing-too/ […]

    Like

  7. Sky Stories (Haiku) by Bette A. Stevens | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    03/01/2018 at 6:51 pm

    […] Tips for children and adults from Bette A. Stevens on writing poetry https://4writersandreaders.com/2016/10/19/have-fun-writing-haiku-get-the-kids-writing-too/ […]

    Like

  8. Writing Haiku: Winter Ensemble (Haiku) by Bette A. Stevens | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    02/25/2018 at 6:32 pm

    […] More tips for children and adults from Bette A. Stevens on writing poetry https://4writersandreaders.com/2016/10/19/have-fun-writing-haiku-get-the-kids-writing-too/ […]

    Like

  9. Writing Haiku: “Winter Interlude” (haiku) by Bette A. Stevens | Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author said:
    02/11/2018 at 4:31 pm

    […] More tips for children and adults from Bette A. Stevens on writing poetry https://4writersandreaders.com/2016/10/19/have-fun-writing-haiku-get-the-kids-writing-too/ […]

    Like

  10. mommynificent said:
    10/31/2017 at 10:24 pm

    Thanks for linking up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

    Like

  11. watchingthedaisies said:
    10/17/2017 at 10:48 am

    I love your Haiku and your poster Bette. Brilliant. We had a great headmaster in primary school who inspired us all to write poetry. We never looked at haiku but he was such a positive influence on my education.

    Like

  12. Bernadette said:
    10/03/2017 at 6:13 am

    This is a fun haiku to start of the bewitching month🎃 of October.

    Like

  13. Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC said:
    10/02/2017 at 9:18 pm

    Loved this, Bette. Your review of the “tools” brought back memories of my own middle school days and how much I enjoyed working them into my creative endeavors. I always loved English class, because that’s where the reading and writing fun happened. Had I not been so smitten with the theatre, I might well have ended up an academic. So glad I hopped over from this week’s Senior Salon. Thanks for sharing.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to educate a world!”

    Like

  14. *Pressed* Have Fun Writing Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too! | itsgoodtobecrazysometimes said:
    10/01/2017 at 1:15 pm

    […] Source: Have Fun Writing Haiku & Get the Kids Writing Too! […]

    Like

  16. Baydreamer said:
    10/29/2016 at 12:04 pm

    Hi Bette,
    This is great information with the literary devices, but also fun for kids-a good, constructive method of teaching poetry. I just recently posted a fun haiku for Halloween, too. Special holidays and celebrations always inspire. Have a wonderful weekend, Lauren 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/01/2017 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Lauren. Thanks so much for checking out the post and joining in on the conversation and challenge. 🙂 Must hop over to your place to check out your Halloween Haiku! 🙂 xo ~Bette

      Liked by 1 person

      • Baydreamer said:
        10/01/2017 at 7:21 pm

        I just realized this is from last year because I didn’t remember posting a haiku recently. Thanks, Bette! 🍁🍂❤️🎃

        Like

  17. Aquileana said:
    10/28/2016 at 11:16 pm

    Wonderful post and thanks so much for providing information concerning poetic devices!…. sending all my best wishes. Aquileana 😀

    Like

  18. amreade said:
    10/28/2016 at 9:19 am

    Bette, your post rocks
    Getting kids involved is great
    Happy Halloween!

    See what I did there? 😉

    Like

  19. macjam47 said:
    10/28/2016 at 8:36 am

    Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
    Getting children to write a Haiku and illustrating it is a great way to involve children, both at home and at school, in a fun activity while they learn.

    Like

  20. Brandi Raae said:
    10/27/2016 at 9:25 pm

    Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays! Hey, I have a quick question for you: how do you get the Look Inside feature to show up on Kindle Books? I published a picture eBook in February and have no idea how to add this feature. I will be publishing another as soon and would love to know how to do this. Thanks!

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/27/2016 at 9:38 pm

      Hi, Brandi. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. With every link-up I find some great posts to share and so appreciate the opportunity to meet new friends. As for the Look Inside feature, it’s been a while. My books are published in paperback via CreateSpace and through KDP for eBooks. My suggestion is to contact either with your query once you log into you account. I find them to be extremely helpful. Send me a link to your Amazon Page and I’ll give you a shout-out on my media sites. Here’s a link to mine http://www.amazon.com/author/betteastevens Have a great day and happy reading and writing! 🙂

      Like

  21. Christy B said:
    10/27/2016 at 1:14 pm

    Wonderful! I love the idea of making poetry fun for kids 🙂

    Like

  22. balroop2013 said:
    10/24/2016 at 8:15 pm

    I love how you have written this fun poem with some serious literary devices by your side, they are indeed the most important part of rhythmical poetry. Happy Halloween dear Bette. 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/25/2016 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you, Balroop. Making reading and writing fun for kids is so rewarding. Like them, I find it hard not to fall in love with language that makes me smile. Happy Halloween and happy writing too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Bette A. Stevens said:
    10/24/2016 at 5:31 pm

    Thank you, Teagan. Happy Halloween hugs right back to you! 🙂

    Like

  24. Teagan Geneviene said:
    10/24/2016 at 1:50 pm

    Oh that was marvelous! Happy Halloween hugs!

    Like

  25. Norah said:
    10/23/2016 at 6:48 am

    Haiku is such a fun way to get kids writing. Your toolbox has useful tools too. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

  26. Annika Perry said:
    10/21/2016 at 9:11 am

    This is really a fun haiku, Bette with lovely atmosphere. Did you do the drawing too? I’ve never heard of any school here studying haikus although I’m sure the students would enjoy such lessons. Oh well…

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/21/2016 at 4:55 pm

      Thank you, Annika. I used Adobe Illustrator to create the poster. So glad you enjoyed it. Kids love poetry and writing haiku is still one of my favorite ways to tell a story in “nutshell.” Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend! 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Tina Frisco said:
    10/20/2016 at 10:56 pm

    This looks like great fun! Shared across my pages 🙂

    Like

  28. Micki Peluso said:
    10/20/2016 at 4:08 pm

    reblooged this on mallie1025.wordpress.com. I love all your haiku poems and this is especially nice for Halloween. I should really practice more haiku myself.

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/20/2016 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks again, Micki. Your support and encouraging words always brighten my day. Haiku is so much fun. I just love the challenge of telling a story in 17 syllables and kids enjoy doing that too. Hugs! ❤

      Like

  29. Micki Peluso said:
    10/20/2016 at 4:06 pm

    Reblogged this on mallie1025 and commented:
    Another great Haiku poem from Bette Stevens

    Like

  30. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    10/20/2016 at 11:38 am

    Awesome! And kids LOVE to be creative. ❤

    Like

  32. Mae Clair said:
    10/20/2016 at 8:12 am

    What a fun idea for kids (and adults) to explore. Writing a haiku is a great way to inspire creativity, and I like the idea of creating a “poster” to go with them!

    Like

  33. sjhigbee said:
    10/20/2016 at 12:42 am

    A really informative and enjoyable post, Bette – many thanks:)

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/20/2016 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you, Sarah. It was fun to write and I hope a lot of little readers will have fun writing and illustrating their own Halloween Haiku too. Happy Halloween to you and yours… 🙂 xo

      Like

  34. D. Wallace Peach said:
    10/19/2016 at 9:58 pm

    Cute poem, Bette. I remember writing haiku in school as a kid and loved it. A great idea 🙂

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/20/2016 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks, Diana. It was fun writing Black Cat and I’m so glad you stopped by to enjoy it. October is a month that inspires. Midnight and I are always excited to greet our little visitors at month’s end. I usually dress up as a witch or a black cat. Oh what fun that is too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • D. Wallace Peach said:
        10/20/2016 at 8:14 pm

        We never get little visitors, Bette. 😦 We live too far away from civilization. But I do go into town for the parade. Now that is adorable! Happy Halloween.

        Like

  35. noelleg44 said:
    10/19/2016 at 9:20 pm

    This is great, Bette. I am tutoring middle school students on Tuesday and I come in at the end of a creative writing class – love to see what they are doing!

    Like

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      10/20/2016 at 4:32 pm

      Oh how exciting, Noelle! I just love middle schoolers. I often look through the “Class Poetry” books created with my students over the years (grades 4-8). One year we even made a “Poets on Parade” video for parents night and that was a big hit. Kids are awesome and they love having fun with language. Have a wonderful day at school next week. It’s sure to be an awesome adventure for everyone! 🙂 ❤

      Like

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