Haiku Poem Examples and Activities

What is Haiku Poetry? What are some haiku poem examples and activities?

Haiku poems are short poems that originated in Japan. These poems are always three lines and 17 syllables, or units of sound. The first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line (like the first) also has 5 syllables. Haikus do not rhyme.

We have many resources about haiku poem examples and activities here!

Haiku poems originated in Japan. In haiku poetry, poets often focus on animals and nature. This theme is an important part of honoring the intention and history of haiku poetry.

However, when a learner practices writing haiku for the first time, it’s important to encourage them to use some freedom just to get started.

Examples

Yosa Buson was an 18th century Japanese poet who loved to write haikus. Like main haikus, this one focuses on nature:

“In pale moonlight
the wisteria’s sweet scent
comes from far away.”

Here is another from Natsume Soseki, a 19the century Japanese poet. Like the haiku above,
this haiku also focuses on nature.

“Over the wintry
forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow.”

Instructional Uses and Strategies

1. Practice your syllables. Mastering haiku depends on accurate use of the appropriate number of syllables. Review model haikus in order to help students understand how poets use short and long words in order to integrate the correct number of syllables per line.
2. Haiku First Lines: Determine a mix of nature-themed and funny first lines for haikus you’d like your students to write. Have students choose or pick from a bucket!
3. Creative Writing Exercise: Have students add to haikus in small groups or by passing haikus to nearest neighbors. For instance, ask students to write a first line for their haiku. As the teacher, you can assign a certain theme, tell them to integrate a word, or provide other guidance. Once each student has the first line written, tell students their poem will be passed to another student for the second line and a third student who will finalize the haiku. Remind students that the first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7, and the third, like the first, also contains 5 syllables.
   

Haikus are a wonderful and accessible form of poetry that can engage your learners.

If you’re looking for poetry styles that can offer a similar experience, be sure to check out our resources on limericks and cinquains.

We have many limerick poem examples and activities as well as cinquain poem examples and activities.

All of these types of poems depend on a certain scheme and structure and generally follow a particular type of theme or topic of focus. Enjoy!