How Do You Write a Haiku Poem?

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 poem 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 Elementary Students 

Teach Starter has created this set of four worksheets to guide your students through the process of writing a haiku poem. 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 Organizer – 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 labeled 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 teacher in Indiana and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

Explore More Poetry Writing Prompts

Teach Starter is here to support you in teaching poetry writing to your students! Click below to access more high-quality poetry writing prompts to use in your classroom:

teaching resource

Five Senses Poem Poster and Template

Use this five senses poem example and accompanying template to teach your students how to write a sensory poem.

teaching resource

Write a Shape Poem Worksheet

Set your students up for success when writing a concrete poem with this set of scaffolded, easy-to-follow worksheets.

teaching resource

Acrostic Poems Poster

Use this acrostic poem example and accompanying templates to teach your students how to write an acrostic poem.