How kids of all ages can create poems with free “poetry frames”

Below is a guest post by picture book author and poet, Sarah Nelson, who wrote the I Like the Weather series. Her stories and poems explore a variety of themes, but Sarah especially loves writing about nature, the little (oh, so real) dramas of childhood and inspiring, lesser-known moments in American history. When Sarah is not writing, she teaches English to adult immigrants.

Anyone can create a poem!

Drawing

One of the very best things my parents did to instill an early interest in writing was encourage me to draw pictures and tell stories about the pictures. Here is one of my absolute favorite picture-stories, featuring my dad in his signature plaid shirt and very hairy legs. Sometimes I made little “books” with text dictated to mom or dad.

My poetry writing frames for little ones are inspired, in part, by this simple, loving practice. Anyone can write (or tell) a poem, and poems don’t need to rhyme. Good poetry paints pictures with words and makes us feel with our senses and our hearts.

How to use the poetry frames

Before writing weather poems, read the books in the I Like the Weather series and ask children to tell you what they like about each type of weather. Then use the poetry frames to help children create their own weather poems. Coloring a picture first will help awaken children’s senses. Use the questions to generate more ideas. Older children can write independently. Younger children can “tell a poem.” Use the questions one by one, writing as children speak, or you may only need to prompt children with: “What else do you like?”

Here are some additional things you can say to inspire poems:

“Think of all the things you like about weather.”

“Think of what you see and hear and feel.”

“Think of how you love to play.”