The last parent gathering of the year for the second graders happened this past week.  Parents joined us for a yummy taco bar lunch and then took on the role of the student as their second graders taught them how to write haikus. ​

We are currently working in our last Lucy Calkins writing unit which is all about poetry.   Haikus are a great way to introduce what Calkins calls “Seeing with Poets’ Eyes.”

Students are introduced to the idea that poets “see with both their hearts and minds, and they write about the world in fresh, unusual ways”.

They continue honing their poetic craft as they develop the idea that poets are intentional with their line breaks and white space. They also learn that poetry is about passion, where they can put strong feelings and concrete details in their poetry to tell a story.  They learn that the idea for poems can come from pretty much anywhere and that poetry takes on many different forms.

Haikus are a great form for students to practice with as they offer opportunity to touch on each of these components that the Lucy Calkins poetry unit of study teaches.  Utilizing the writing process, second graders work through their various forms of poetry, eventually publishing their work.