RESOURCE PACK FOR TEACHERSWriting a Haiku

Origami, Poems and Pictures

www.nosycrow.com

KS2 Literacy

WHY HAIKU?For those of us familiar with teaching it as part of the KS2 curriculum, we know that writing a haiku is much more than just an exercise in syllable counting. Not only does it support an understanding of language and form, it also reinforces elements of the writing process and nurtures confidence. In fact, there are endless reasons to ask your kids to compose a haiku…here is our list of five to get started!

TOP FIVE REASONS1. Haiku-writing provides opportunities to discover new topics and explore fresh ideas.

2. Composing a haiku engages the whole class in writing. Despite its structure, it is quite a freeing genre of writing – it creates enthusiasm that makes other writing tasks seem more manageable.

3. A haiku reinforces that classic writing mantra, “show don’t tell.” A single haiku is based on a single moment, and so it asks children to zoom-in in a way that perhaps they aren’t used to.

4. The process of writing a haiku allows for easy drafting and editing.

5. Finally, in a multi-sensory, multi-tasking world, writing a haiku is a good tool for teaching children to ignore distractions and focus on a single task.

Introduction

ENTER THE COMPETITION - Find out more on page 5The outcome for the lesson included here is for the children in your class to create their very own haiku. To enter the final creations into our exclusive schools competition, simply send the entries to us at: Haiku Competition, Nosy Crow, 14 Baden Place, Crosby Row, London, SE1 1YW or email prize@nosycrow.com.Don’t forget to include each child’s name, age and school on the back of each entry. The winner will receive £150 worth of Nosy Crow books as well as a set of 30 exclusive copies of Origami, Poetry and Pictures for everyone in their class!

ABOUT THE BOOKThe notes and lesson plan included here support the publication of Origami, Poems and Pictures, written to coincide with the new Hokusai exhibition at the British Museum this May. The book explores three beautiful Japanese art forms: origami, painting and haiku. For thirteen animals or objects, children and adults will not only be able to read the haiku and enjoy paintings from the British Museum collection, but also to make the corresponding origami figures. To make it even easier, the book includes 50 sheets of origami paper with patterns on one side and solid colours on the other, so that children can play and experiment. Art has never been so simple, or so beautiful!

Published by Nosy Crow in collaboration with the British Museum£9.99 PaperbackISBN: 9780857639387

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Lesson objectives

English

Reading: comprehension• En3/2.2a Develop positive attitudes to reading, and an understanding of what they read, by:

i. listening to and discussing a wide range of poetry

vii. discussing words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination

viii. recognising different forms of poetry

• En3/2.2b Understand what they read, in books they can read independently, by

i. checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and explaining the meaning of words in context

vi. identifying how language, structure, and presentation contribute to meaning

Writing: composition• En3/3.3a Plan their writing by:

i. discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar

ii. discussing and recording ideas

• En3/3.3b Draft and write by:

i. composing and rehearsing sentences orally (including dialogue), progressively building a varied and rich vocabulary and an increasing range of sentence structures

iv. in non-narrative material, using simple organisational devices

• En3/3.3c Evaluate and edit by:

i. assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements

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HAIKU LESSON PLAN

Lead-in questions:- Why do you think we write poems?- What do we write poems about?

Task 1:

The leaves fall slowlyTo the unforgiving groundToo soon – summer’s gone!

After reading aloud, encourage the class to answer the following comprehension questions together:

1. What is the haiku about?2. What is happening?3. What season of the year do you think it is?4. How does the writer feel? How do you know?

Task 2:

Children should draw the haiku above and then compare it with their partner’s drawing. Are there any similarities? What are the differences?

Task 3:

Ask the class to look closely at the haiku, they should see that it is divided in a specific way:

The leaves fall slowly → 1. Setting the scene (something to do with nature)To the unforgiving ground → 2. Describing what happens (part 1)Too soon – summer’s gone! → 3. Describing what happens and when (part 2)

A haiku originates in Japan and is usually about nature. Ask the class: what nature is being described in this haiku? What is happening in the haiku? Children should count the syllables in each line and fill in the following table.

Line 1 Line 2 Line 3

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A printable worksheet is available at the

end of this PDF

Task 4:

A haiku always relates to a season in the year called a ‘kigo’. Ask children to think of descriptive words, adverbs and adjectives with a partner to create sensory language that describes the seasons. They can use the images below for inspiration and list any words or phrases that they like under the right category heading. They should think of as many as they can:

SPRINGeg. Blooming pink flowers

AUTUMNeg. Crunchy red leaves

SUMMEReg. Bright blue sky

WINTEReg. Powdery white snow

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Task 5:

Now ask children to choose their favourite season. What gives them the most inspiration? They should aim to write one sentence in flowing writing. There is no need to put it on three lines or count the syllables just yet. When they have finished, children should swap their sentences with their partners. Ask children to consider the following questions about their friends’ work:1. What season have they chosen?

2. What object or animal have they chosen?

3. What powerful words or phrases have they used?

4. Have they used any interesting techniques? (e.g. alliteration)

Task 6:

It’s time for children to compose their haiku! Considering the feedback from their classmates, they must now refine their imagery and construct their own haiku according to the success criteria gathered earlier in the lesson:

1. Setting the scene (something to do with nature) → 5 syllables

2. Describing what happens (part 1) → 7 syllables

3. Describing what happens and when (part 2) → 5 syllables

ENTER NOSY CROW’S HAIKU COMPETITION! Printable entry form available overleaf

To enter the final creations into our exclusive schools competition, simply send the entries to us at: Haiku Competition, Nosy Crow, 14 Baden Place, Crosby Row, London, SE1 1YW or email prize@nosycrow.com.Don’t forget to include each child’s name, age and school with each entry!

The winner will receive £150 worth of Nosy Crow books and a set of 30 exclusive copies of Origami, Poetry and Pictures for everyone in their class!

Competition closes 29/09/2017

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HAIKU WORKSHEET

The leaves fall slowlyTo the unforgiving groundToo soon – summer’s gone!

Count the syllables in each line and fill in the following table:

SPRINGeg. Blooming pink flowers

AUTUMNeg. Crunchy red leaves

SUMMEReg. Bright blue sky

WINTEReg. Powdery white snow