Haiku

Today while teaching Haiku (something I've never done before and hoped the kids had), we were talking about the requirements for Haiku. It has to be about nature, 3 lines (1st line = 5 syllables, 2nd line = 7 syllables, 3rd line = 5 syllables), and it does not have to rhyme. The kids were getting it very quickly. Thank goodness, cause I was having a very hard time coming up with anything for an example. Yes, I had the example in their poetry flip book, but I always like to provide multiple examples...you know, for the kids who NEED multiple examples?!?!

Anyway, the kids were doing great and coming up with some very clever, creative, and interesting Haiku. Then, I called on a kid to share the poem he was creating in his mind. What he shared was not about nature. The other kids quickly snapped at him and reminded him, "It has to be about nature!" When another added in, "Think like a hippie!"

What does this kid know about hippies? He was born in 1999 (maybe 1998) and I know for a fact that his parents are NOT hippies. I couldn't contain myself. BUT, all of a sudden, the other kid figured it out. The other kid who also has no idea what a real hippie is. They are definitely too young to have seen That 70s Show (because we all know it depicts REAL hippies) or understand Flower Power, the true meaning of Tree Hugger, or any other related topic.

This is why I teach...no matter what grade, they all have comments that keep you smiling throughout the day.
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A book to use while teaching Haiku...it's adorable and the small panda only speaks in Haiku!