Rainbow Poem

Poetry is music to our ears. When you write poetry with Crayola® Rainbow Twistables, you create music for the eyes as well.

• 1.

  Poetry is a story told with a few words, a song without musical notes. Poets arrange words to make you feel or think in a certain way. Read poetry aloud with your classmates. What music of the words do you hear?

• 2.

  You, too, can tell an original story with just a few words. The words may rhyme if you wish, but they don’t have to. Rhyming is just one tool that poets use to express emotions and ideas with words.

• 3.

  Write your poem on paper with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. It’s easy to erase when you change your mind and edit your work.

• 4.

  Often a poem has a distinct shape on paper. Why? Because the way it is written affects how it is read aloud. Poetry readers take a breath at the end of each line, so sometimes a poem has one-word lines. These words are often startling or especially descriptive. What shape will your poetry take?

• 5.

  Many poets write a first draft and return to their poem later. Some poets ask others to look at their work and comment on it. Poets always edit their work and check their spelling. Your erasable colored pencils will probably come in very handy!

• 6.

  When your poem is in its final form, transpose it on posterboard with Crayola Rainbow Twistables. Notice how the rainbow of colors you twist out from the barrel echoes the subtle shades of feelings found in your poetry.

• 7.

  Decorate your poem poster with a border, illustrations, or a title in fancy lettering. Be sure the poet’s name appears on the page.

Benefits

• Students read and listen to a variety of poems.
• Students compose and edit an original poem.
• Students present their poem visually in poster form.

Adaptations

• Organize a Poetry Slam in your classroom or for your grade. At a Slam, students read their poetry aloud. The audience shows its support and enthusiasm with noisemakers and cheers during the reading.
• Invite the local Poet Laureate into your classroom for a reading and to answer questions about writing poetry.
• There are many different styles of poems. Learn what makes a haiku, cinquain, and limerick. Try writing each kind of poetry.
• To explore the rhythm of poetry, read a poem to the beat of a drum or hand claps.