Celebrate the beauty of winter and nature by trying out a classic, three-line Japanese poem called a Haiku. This type of poem requires the writer to count the number of syllables per line; there are 5 syllables in line one, 7 syllables in line two, and 5 syllables in line three. Younger children will enjoy clapping out each of the syllables in words, and older children learn that each syllable within a word must have at least one vowel.
Before writing the poem, we suggest heading outside to embark on a nature walk. Take a bag with you, because your child will want to collect wintry items like evergreens, berries, and twigs. Once inside, explore the treasures and identify words that describe the sights, sounds, tastes, feelings and emotions that these objects evoke. Cut apart the words, play with the number of syllables, and compose your winter Haiku. As an extension, grab your favorite art materials and illustrate your poem!
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