What Is a Colour Poem?

Colour poems are a type of poetry where the poet explores the associations, emotions and imagery linked to a particular colour. Each line of the poem typically describes aspects of the chosen colour, using sensory details and metaphors to express what that colour means or represents. These poems are a great choice when it comes to exploring imagery and figurative language with your students.

Here’s what you need to know when it comes to teaching your students how to write a colour poem:

• Purpose – Colour poems explore associations with a particular colour.
• Structure – Each line in a colour poem contains an image associated with the focus colour.
• Rhythm – Colour poems have no distinct rhythm.
• Rhyme – Colour poems do not usually rhyme.

Easily Teach How to Write a Colour Poem

The Teach Starter team has created this set of templates to support your students in writing a colour poem. Here’s what you will discover inside this colour poem template pack:

1. Colour Poem Overview – This page explains everything your students need to know about colour poems. It also includes an example colour poem using yellow as a focus colour.
2. Colour Poem Graphic Organiser – This page supports students in brainstorming imagery related to a colour of their choice.
3. Colour Poem Scaffolding Sheet and Checklist – This page supports students in writing their colour poem by providing a labelled structure and a checklist for editing their work.
4. Colour Poem Writing Sheet – This page has been included for students to produce a polished final copy of their colour poem.

Colour poems are an engaging way for students to practise descriptive writing and build vocabulary. By engaging with this resource, your students will think creatively about the many associations colours can have and will use these connotations to create a unique piece of poetry.

Download This Colour Poem Template

This resource downloads as an easy-print PDF or an editable Google Slides file. Use the Download button to access your preferred version of this resource. Please note that you will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file before accessing it.

Brittany Collins, a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

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