Poetry Writing Prompts About Nature

When it comes to writing simple poems, the hardest part for students can often be coming up with a topic idea!

To solve this problem, Teach Starter has created a set of 16 poetry writing prompts based on the theme of nature. Each prompt is designed to inspire young poets to explore a different aspect of the natural world, from the sun and the stars to leaves and the changing weather. These thoughtfully crafted prompts not only guide students in selecting a topic but also provide three rhyming words they can incorporate into their poems, helping to spark creativity and make the writing process more accessible.

Example Prompt: Write a poem about the sun. Try using words like light, bright, or sight.

Some of the topics included in this set of poetry prompts include:

• The Gentle Breeze
• The Sparkling Star
• The Chirping Bird
• The Mysterious Moon
• The Active Ant
• And many more!

Using These Poetry Writing Prompts in Your Classroom

These versatile poetry writing prompts can be used in multiple ways when teaching poetry writing to your students. Here are a few suggestions from our experienced teacher team:

1. Rhyming Word Challenge – Challenge the students to add new lists of rhyming words to a chosen prompt. This encourages them to think critically about rhyme and make conscious vocabulary choices to match the theme.
2. Poetry Stations – Set up stations around the room, each with a different poetry prompt. Students rotate through the stations, writing short poems or verses at each one. This approach allows for a range of poems to be written while keeping the energy in the room dynamic.
3. Poetry Reading or Showcase – Host a poetry reading where students can share their poems with the class. Encourage them to incorporate artistic elements such as drawings or nature-inspired visuals to accompany their poems, turning it into a multi-sensory experience.

This resource makes it easy for teachers to introduce poetry writing while fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment and natural elements. Whether you’re teaching figurative language, rhyme schemes or creative expression, these prompts provide endless opportunities for literary exploration.

Download These Poetry Writing Prompt Task Cards

This resource can be downloaded as a full-color PDF or editable Google Slides file. Use the Download button above to select your preferred file format.

Print the cards on cardstock to increase the durability of the resource. Place the cards together in a large envelope or ziplock bag for safekeeping.

This resource was created by Samantha Rose, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Poetry Writing Resources for Your Classroom

Teach Starter understands that you want to spend less time planning and more time teaching! Click below to access more great poetry writing resources to make your ELA planning a breeze!

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