How Do You Write a Haiku?

Haiku poems are one of the more commonly known forms of poetry. But how do you write a haiku poem? Here’s what you need to know when teaching your students how to write these short (but very sweet!) Japanese poems:

• Purpose – The purpose of a haiku is to describe a topic.
• Structure – Haiku poems have three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables and the second line has seven syllables.
• Rhythm – Haiku poems have a rhythm that is created by the number of syllables in each line.
• Rhyme – Haiku poems do not usually rhyme.

A Haiku Template for Primary Students 

Teach Starter has created this set of four worksheets to guide your students through the process of writing a haiku. Using these worksheets will help your students navigate the steps of planning and writing a haiku on a topic of their choice with confidence.

Here’s what you will discover inside this haiku template pack:

1. Haiku Overview – This page explains everything your students need to know about haiku poems. It also includes an example haiku about roses.
2. Haiku Graphic Organiser – This page supports students in brainstorming topics and imagery for their own haiku.
3. Haiku Scaffolding Sheet and Checklist – This page supports students in writing haikus by providing a labelled structure and a checklist for editing their work.
4. Haiku Writing Sheet – This page has been included for students to produce a polished final copy of their haiku poem.

Coming up with ideas for poetry writing can be the hardest part of the creative process! This resource will support students in choosing a topic for their haiku, brainstorming sensory details and writing a poem according to the correct structure.

Download to Teach How to Write a Haiku

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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