by Phyllis Wezeman
This material was presented in the rotation.org email newsletter as the Teaching Tip of the month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC Poetry
From the rotation.org email newsletter - October 2007
MATERIALS
Bible(s)
Formula for ABC Poetry
Paper
Pencils or pens
METHOD
ABC poetry is written in a short form and expresses strong emotion. The initial letters of the beginning words in the first four lines are written alphabetically, for example C, D, E, F or M, N, O, P. The first line does not have to begin with A.
The formula for ABC poetry is:
Clauses beginning with four consecutive letters
A sentence beginning with any letter.
Help children understand a Biblical concept, such as faith, by writing ABC poetry. For example:
Faith
God's guidance
Hope for the future
Incredible love
Belief in the Savior.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acrostic Poem
From the rotation.org email newsletter - November 2007
MATERIALS
Bible(s)
Paper
Pattern for Acrostic Poetry
Pencils or pens.
METHOD
Since five diverse books of the Old Testament -- Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon -- are known as Poetry, sometimes called the Writings, construct an Acrostic poem to describe each text. In an Acrostic Poem, letters of a word are printed vertically down the left side of the page. A word, phrase, or sentence beginning with each letter is then written to develop the topic. For example:
P oetic books in the Old Testament help us
O bserve suffering in the book of Job;
E xplore prayer and praise in 150 Psalms;
T each tips for successful living in Proverbs;
R espond to the meaning of life in Ecclesiastes;
Y earn for a loving relationship like Christ and the church in Song of Solomon.
Offer paper and pencils or pens and have each student create an Acrostic Poem on this theme or a topic that connects with a current lesson. Share the results, as each poem will turn out differently.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-Z Poem - Another example
From the rotation.org email newsletter - December 2007
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Construction paper or newsprint; Dictionary; Markers; Pattern for A-Z Poetry; Thesaurus.
METHOD
Select a subject, such as the attributes of God, and develop an A to Z poem of praise. Begin the poem by printing the words "God is …" on a piece of newsprint. Write the alphabet down the left side of the paper. Then, for every letter, brainstorm adjectives that describe attributes of God. Look through the Psalms to discover some of the characteristics and qualities of God, for example: God is forgiving, just, loving, merciful, and powerful. Use a dictionary or a thesaurus to help locate words, for example: A - Awesome, F- Faithful, S- Steadfast, T- Trustworthy, and so forth. Record the ideas on paper.
Consider having individuals or small groups brainstorm several letters, and compile the poem as a cooperative effort. In addition, offer each child a piece of construction paper and the opportunity to compose his or her own A-Z poem.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliteration
From the rotation.org email newsletter - January 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Formula for Alliteration Poetry, Paper, Pencils or pens
METHOD
Alliteration is the repetition of a sound in two or more neighboring words. In this type of poetry, there is the same beginning letter for every word in the row. Alliteration poems may be one or more lines, rhymed or unrhymed. Respond to an Old Testament story, like David and Goliath by writing Alliterative poetry, such as:
David's daring decision
Face ferocious foe
God's gracious guidance
Turned trust to triumph.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cento Poem
From the rotation.org email newsletter - February 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Concordance, Paper, Pattern for Cento Poetry, Pencils or pens.
METHOD
In light of current events, repeat the message of "hope" that is offered to God's people by writing it in the form of a Cento poem. Cento, a style that dates back to the second century, is a Latin word which means patchwork. The objective in this type of creative writing is to put together lines of poetry, each of which is borrowed from the work of a different author. It can be any number of lines and does not have to rhyme.
Choose a subject, such as "hope," as the theme of the poem. Find the word in a Bible reference book called a concordance. Look up several verses related to the topic. Borrow a line, or a phrase, from each passage to construct a Cento poem. For example:
For never again shall the wicked invade you. Nahum 1:15
Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love. Psalm 107:15.
Offer paper and pens or pencils for the project. After everyone has had an opportunity to create a Cento poem, share the examples with the class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cinquain
From the rotation.org email newsletter - March 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Formula for Cinquain Poetry, Paper, Pencils or pens
METHOD
Cinquain is a simple, five-line verse form. Its structure follows specific rules:
Line One
One word of two syllables
May be the title
Line Two
Four syllables
Describes the subject or title
Line Three
Six syllables
Shows action
Line Four
Eight syllables
Expresses a feeling or observation about the subject
Line Five
Two syllables
Describes or renames the subject.
After reading a Psalm, paraphrase it by writing Cinquain poems. The members of the group may select the same or different Psalms. An example using Psalm 8 is:
Heavens
Filled with wonder
Formed with sun, moon, and stars
Displaying the greatness of God
Mighty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clerihew Poem
From the rotation.org email newsletter - April 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Markers, pencils or pens; Paper; Pattern for Clerihew Poetry.
METHOD
A Clerihew Poem is a quatrain -- four lines -- based on someone's name and is designed to offer information about the personality of the person described in the poem. The rhyme scheme is AA, BB, which means that the last words of lines one and two rhyme, and the last words of lines three and four rhyme. Create a Clerihew based on the name "Christ" and share information about Paul's New Testament teachings about Jesus. For example:
Christ Jesus is Lord
And must be adored.
He's all that I need
For salvation -- indeed!
After a lesson, emphasize the story by offering each participant a piece of paper and a marker, pencil, or pen. Direct the students to print the word "Christ" in the center of the sheet. They may use freehand skill, pre-cut letters, or stencil shapes to form the outline of the word. Guide the group as they create Clerihew Poems on this theme.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLUSTER POEM
From the rotation.org email newsletter - May 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Markers, Paper, Pencils or pens.
METHOD
As a way to acknowledge, or thank, God for God's faithful love, write a "Cluster Poem" as a class project. Select a piece of paper and print the phrase "Thank You" in the center of the sheet. Next, brainstorm associations, feelings, ideas, and images that come to mind in response to the words "Thank You." Cluster -- or group -- them on the sheet. Look over the words and offer a prayer expressing thanks for God's blessings, asking forgiveness for forgetting God's gifts, and praising God for His faithful love. Be sure to include words and phrases that thank God for Jesus, the Savior, and for the great gift of salvation that restores the relationship between God and God's people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COUPLET
From the rotation.org email newsletter - June 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Formula for Couplet Poetry, Hymnal, Paper, Pencils or pens
METHOD
Couplets follow a simple pattern and consist of two rhyming lines. Lines can be any length, and the rhythm and rhyme should match the thought or mood of the poem. Use this easy style to write prayers, such as:
My good friend Tim is very sick
Please help him to get better quick.
Many stanzas of hymns are in couplet form. Illustrate this by showing examples and offering some of these lines as prayers, too. Using two lines from the favorite carol, "Away In A Manger," the prayer would be:
"Be with me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me I pray."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DADA
From the rotation.org email newsletter - July 2008
MATERIALS
Bible(s), Bowl, Formula for Dada Poetry, Glue, Magazines, Newspaper, Paper, Pencils or pens, Scissors
METHOD
Dada poetry was originally written by artists and poets in Paris, France, who clipped words from newspapers, scrambled them, and then arranged them in lines to form verses. Express the essence of a season of the Church Year, such as Easter, through this form of creative writing. Write down or cut out ten verbs, such as "alive" or "arose;" eight nouns, for example, "Jesus,"" "angel," and "disciples;" and some articles like "a," "an," and "the." Jumble them up in a bowl and draw them out one at a time. Arrange the words on a piece of paper until they form an Easter message. Glue them in place.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exchange Volunteer Carol added latest article from the email newsletter.
