• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

BJU Press Blog

  • Home
  • Shop
    • Shaping Worldview
  • Simplified Homeschool
  • Successful Learning

A Sensory Poem Writing Activity (Printable)

April 3, 2018 by Megan

sensory poem activity
April is National Poetry Month. Here in South Carolina, it’s also one of the most beautiful months of the year—the temperature is nearly perfect (no stifling heat and humidity yet!), the mosquito population is under control, and the worst of allergy season is behind us. Do my kids and I want to sit inside and write poetry? Not really.

Thankfully, writing and studying poetry doesn’t have to be an indoor activity. In fact, the great outdoors is the perfect place to practice writing a sensory poem.

A simple definition

A sensory poem describes a scene, an object, or an idea with vivid words that appeal to the five senses. It tells how the subject looks, feels, smells, tastes, and sounds.

A workable plan

• Plan an outing

Take advantage of a beautiful April day and head outside. Even if spring hasn’t quite sprung where you live yet, you and your children will probably benefit from some time out of the house. Head to a local park, walk around the block, or plan an outing to somewhere you haven’t yet explored. Be sure to block out enough time so that you and your children won’t feel rushed.

Before you go, take time to explain to your children the purpose of the outing. Explain what a sensory poem is and share some examples.

• Observe something special

While you are out, look for things that spark your child’s interest such as an unusual plant, an insect, or a special vista. The things that excite your child will make good subjects for his or her sensory poem. Use our sensory poem planning printable to help focus your child’s observation skills. You will also want to take pictures (or even a short video) of the subject for later use.

• Draft a sensory poem

After your child has finished planning his or her poem, it’s time to write. Sensory poems don’t have to stick to a certain meter; they don’t even have to rhyme. Encourage your child to refer to the completed planning sheet and describe how the subject sounded, smelled, looked, and felt. You might want to challenge an older child to try including some sound devices such as assonance, consonance, or onomatopoeia in the poem. Be sure to have your child illustrate the final copy of the poem with a drawing or a photograph.

Find out more about sensory poems in our English 3 Worktext.

Filed Under: Successful Learning Tagged With: elementary poetry, homeschool writing, national poetry month, writing poetry

Email Signup

Sign up for our homeschool newsletter and receive select blog posts, discounts, and more right to your inbox!
Avatar photo

About Megan

Megan is a writer and a homeschool mom with four daughters—a sixth grader, a fourth grader, a first grader, and a 4-year-old. She enjoys doing activities with her girls and taking advantage of every teachable moment. She and her family enjoy ministering the gospel to spiritually needy children in their area, getting involved in their community, and reading books of all shapes and sizes. Read more posts by Megan.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Disclaimer

The BJU Press blog publishes content by different writers for the purpose of relating to our varied readers. Views and opinions expressed by these writers do not necessarily state or reflect the views of BJU Press or its affiliates. The fact that a link is listed on this blog does not represent or imply that BJU Press endorses its site or contents from the standpoint of ethics, philosophy, theology, or scientific hypotheses. Links are posted on the basis of the information and/or services that the sites offer. If you have comments, suggestions, questions, or find that one of the links no longer works, please contact us.

Pages

  • About BJU Press
  • Conversation Guidelines
  • Terms of Use & Copyright

Archives

© 2023 · BJU Press Homeschool