A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Write a Summer Limerick & Get the Kids Writing Too!

Aside

HAVE FUN WRITING LIMERICKS

Monarch Butterfly LIMERICK 2 bas 2017

Summertime is fun time! And with ‘back to school’ just around the corner, it’s a great time to write limericks and get the kids writing too…

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, a teacher, a parent or simply want to share the love of reading and writing, get the kids together and give “Limericks” a try. You’ll be glad you did!

Some of my favorite things about summer are butterflies, long lazy summer days, gardens and sunshine. I love to sit on the porch with my camera at the ready just in case I spot an amazing monarch or any of our sensational butterfly friends dropping by to enjoy the view. So far this year I’ve spotted twelve monarchs and dozens of other butterflies too—and managed to capture several of these exquisite creatures with my Canon “PowerShot.”

Butterflies are very sensitive to the environment and with their natural habitat areas being increasingly eroded and with significantly greater use of chemicals, our butterfly population is in decline. Planting and cultivating milkweed (Monarch caterpillars need milkweed) and other blooms that our pollinators need for survival is one way that I can help.

Limerick (poetic definition)

[lim-er-ik]
noun
1. a kind of humorous verse of five lines, in which the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed couplet.

My limerick is about one of the monarch butterflies (captured by my camera) that fluttered through my garden so far this summer. I had fun writing two verses to tell my monarch’s story. Check out the link at the end of the post to find out more about poetic limericks.

A Monarch Butterfly Limerick

by Bette A. Stevens

There once was a monarch so fair

She fluttered and flit through the air

’Twas milkweed she needed

And so she proceeded

To search through the garden with care

 

Monarch  knew she had nothing to fear

Her flutters would soon disappear

When milkweed she spotted

Her heart was besotted

Depositing monarch eggs there

 

WRITING POETRY WITH CHILDREN

Tips & Tools

When teaching (grades 4-8), I found that writing poems and sharing them was an exciting way get children of all ages hooked on writing. I must admit it—limericks are so much fun to write and to share! In the classroom we learn about using some of the tools in our writer’s tool box—literary devices 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 writer, a reader, a teacher, a parent or simply want to share the love of reading and writing, get the kids together and give it a try. You’ll be glad you did!

 

 

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Written

on 08/20/2019

Comments on: "Write a Summer Limerick & Get the Kids Writing Too!" (86)

  1. Elliot said:
    05/15/2023 at 7:25 pm

    Thank you for writing tthis

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Colleen M. Chesebro said:
    09/06/2021 at 6:26 pm

    Limericks are so fun to read and write, Bette. What a great post! ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  3. robbiesinspiration said:
    06/20/2021 at 11:35 am

    These are great limericks, Bette. I also enjoy writing them.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. petespringerauthor said:
    06/20/2021 at 1:06 am

    Very clever limerick, Bette! I got a chance to search for butterflies with my brother at our family reunion. One of the things he has gotten interested in lately is beetles. We went looking for these tiger beetles as well and were lucky to find some. They are very distinctive looking with their iridescent green. https://uwm.edu/field-station/tiger-beetle/

    Liked by 1 person

  5. marianbeaman said:
    06/19/2021 at 9:05 pm

    Limericks are FUN and so are Haiku — you are great at both, m’lady!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Book Club Mom said:
    06/19/2021 at 7:48 pm

    Great limerick, Bette. Butterflies are definitely fun to watch. I have to keep the caterpillars away from my parsley this year though, they ate the whole plant – but I guess if they turned into pretty butterflies, I was doing a good thing!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      06/19/2021 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, Barbara. 🦋 I’ve heard that planting flowers like marigolds among the herbs will help keep pesky insects at bay. You defintley don’t want the ones that eat whole plants. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed… xo

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Miriam Hurdle said:
    06/19/2021 at 7:25 pm

    I liked your monarch photo, Bette. What a lovely limerick you did. It’s fun to read, and fun to write. Kids would enjoy so much writing it. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Erica/Erika said:
    06/19/2021 at 7:09 pm

    This photo is gorgeous, Bette. Your limerick put a smile on my face. Fun! I agree, “a musical message.” ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Deborah Drucker said:
    06/19/2021 at 2:52 pm

    Great photo and limerick. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Priscilla Bettis said:
    06/19/2021 at 2:19 pm

    You and the monarchs have convinced me. I’m going to give a summer limerick a try!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Darlene said:
    06/19/2021 at 2:15 pm

    Limericks are so much fun! And kids just love them. ( Even us big kids love them) Yours are very good.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Bette A. Stevens said:
    06/19/2021 at 1:53 pm

    Reblogged this on Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author and commented:

    Whether you’re a writer, a reader, a teacher, a parent or simply want to share the love of reading and writing, get the kids together and give it a try. You’ll be glad you did! ~ Bette A. Stevens

    Like

  13. mommynificent said:
    10/02/2019 at 10:45 pm

    Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! It’s great to have you at the party!
    Tina

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Jina Bazzar said:
    08/26/2019 at 1:30 pm

    Loved your limerick! it’s lighthearted and charming. Shared!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. macjam47 said:
    08/25/2019 at 10:47 am

    I loved your limerick, Bette, and to combine your love of poetry with your devotion to the monarch just made me smile. What better activity to involve children in! They love rhyming words and are frequently trying rhymes on their own. 💕🤗💕

    Liked by 1 person

  16. sharonkconnell said:
    08/25/2019 at 9:25 am

    Love this, Bette. Would you send it to me for Novel Thoughts along with your regular Haiku?

    Liked by 1 person

  17. markbierman said:
    08/25/2019 at 8:05 am

    I’m a big fan of monarchs and your writing style, Bette. My oldest daughter enjoys writing, I’ll mention limerick writing to her.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Norah said:
    08/25/2019 at 6:05 am

    This is a wonderful limerick, Bette. I love writing poetry with and for children too. And I love butterflies. Combining both is pure magic. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Sarah said:
    08/24/2019 at 2:56 pm

    Such a wonderful idea to get kids writing! I love your limerick, Bette! It put a huge smile on my face. 😊 I can picture you sitting on your porch, patiently waiting for butterflies to cross your camera’s path. 😉💕

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/24/2019 at 3:15 pm

      Hi, Sarah! 🙂 Thanks so much for your visit and sweet note… 36 Monarch Butterflies so far and counting. Waiting for one to eclose from its chrysalis on the porch siding in a day or so. Have a blessed and beautiful day, my friend! xo

      Like

  20. DutchIl said:
    08/24/2019 at 1:35 pm

    Thank you for sharing your adventures and fun limericks of the wonderful world you live in!!.. 🙂

    Until we meet again…

    May flowers always line your path
    and sunshine light your way,
    May songbirds serenade your
    every step along the way,
    May a rainbow run beside you
    in a sky that’s always blue,
    And may happiness fill your heart
    each day your whole life through.
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Kymber said:
    08/24/2019 at 9:26 am

    I love limericks and butterflies. What could be better? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Jennie said:
    08/23/2019 at 2:28 pm

    Limericks are fun poetry. This is terrific!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. D. Wallace Peach said:
    08/22/2019 at 9:56 am

    A lovely limerick, Bette. I saw few monarchs this summer, but hope to next year as my milkweed seeds sprout. 🙂 Thanks for the smile.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Bette A. Stevens said:
    08/21/2019 at 8:45 pm

    Thanks, Jacqui! 🙂

    Like

  26. Jacqui Murray said:
    08/21/2019 at 8:13 pm

    That is darling, especially with the poster. Bravo, Bette!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. -Eugenia said:
    08/21/2019 at 9:07 am

    Aww, Bette, what a delightful Limerick!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Annette Rochelle Aben said:
    08/21/2019 at 2:45 am

    delightful! brought a smile to my heart ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Tea With Jennifer said:
    08/20/2019 at 9:00 pm

    Lovely Bette! You really do have a gift for all things poetry!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. sjhigbee said:
    08/20/2019 at 8:35 pm

    Limericks are so much fun! What a fabulous idea – thank you so much for sharing:))

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Riverside Peace said:
    08/20/2019 at 6:31 pm

    Limericks, as easily as a lot of writers can write, has been the hardest for me. Maybe after reading this, I’ll try again.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Gayl said:
    08/20/2019 at 4:53 pm

    I enjoyed your limerick about the Monarch! So creative. I’ve written one or limericks before. Maybe I’ll try it again! Blessings to you, Bette! xo

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Sherrey Meyer said:
    08/20/2019 at 1:29 pm

    I used to toy around with limericks, especially when my attorney boss was in a bad mood. Here’s a summer one with school beginning in mind:

    There was a teacher named Susan
    Who’d spent her summer cruisin’.
    But school was starting soon
    And planning would take more than an afternoon.
    She’d better get busy or plan for a bruisin’.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Mae Clair said:
    08/20/2019 at 12:46 pm

    Bette, what a delightful limerick! It mad me grin.

    We’ve been really lucky this year. We’ve had several Monarchs plus a host of other colorful butterflies I can’t identify visit our back yard, Monarchs are the only ones I’m familiar with, but we’ve had a lot of a blue-and-black winged variety visit, too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/20/2019 at 6:33 pm

      Sounds like you’ve had Blue Swallowtails! We get a few of those each summer, but the Yellow Swallowtails are out an about from early spring to mid summer here in Maine. Spotted my 35th monarch so far and have a chrysalis on the porch siding waiting to emerge before long. Summer sensations, all! ❤ Enjoy the wonder of it all, dear Mae… xo

      Liked by 1 person

      • Mae Clair said:
        08/21/2019 at 8:33 am

        Blue Swallowtails. Oooh, now I have a name for them! I saw a few yellow, but not many. How lucky you with your 35th monarch sighting! Thank you, Bette!!

        Liked by 1 person

  35. delphini510 said:
    08/20/2019 at 12:25 pm

    I do love your Limerick, Bette. The Monarch butterfly is very close to your heart and
    and you have given them a clever and romantic poem … and fun.

    Will see if I have the ability to do this, could be inspiring.

    miriam

    Liked by 1 person

  36. balroop2013 said:
    08/20/2019 at 12:19 pm

    Love the monarchs and your lovely limerick about them. So inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Jill Weatherholt said:
    08/20/2019 at 12:19 pm

    I loved your limerick, Bette! You’re so creative. Every time I see a butterfly in our back yard, I think of you. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  38. D.L. Finn, Author said:
    08/20/2019 at 12:10 pm

    Fun limerick, Bette! We’ve had a lot of butterflies this year, mainly swallowtails and painted ladies. Usually I will see a passing monarch or two but not yet. I try to keep the wildflowers watered on the edge of the forest for the bumble bees, haven’t seen a honeybee in a few years. Definitely a change.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bette A. Stevens said:
      08/20/2019 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks all around, Denise! Our precious pollinators definitely need our help! 🙂 We had two monarchs visit today (35 total sighted so far this season) + one chrysalis on the porch siding waiting to eclude. Our latest visitors are sipping on phlox and mint blooms. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Chelsea Owens said:
    08/20/2019 at 11:04 am

    I love poems, and limericks are so fun!

    Liked by 1 person

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