If you have already looked at the English planning for next term, then you will have noticed that our very 1st piece of writing back after the holidays is a piece of poetry called a Haiku. This page is here to help you get started on your poem before we start back after the holidays.
What is a Haiku?
Well, before I can answer that it is important that we do some quick revision.
What is a syllable?
A syllable is a part of a word pronounced as a unit. It is usually made up of a vowel alone or a vowel with one or more consonants. The word “Haiku” has two syllables: Hai-ku; the word “introduction” has four syllables: in-tro-duc-tion.
A “Haiku” is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme.
Here’s a Haiku to help you remember:
I am first with five
Then seven in the middle —
Five again to end.
Because Haikus are such short poems, they are usually written about things that are recognisable to the reader. The Haiku that you will be asked to write is about the Northern Lights, take a look at the resources I’ve put on the page entitled the Northern Lights.