Haiku Poetry - Year 3 and 4

In the teaching resources for Year 3 and Year 4 pupils, the focus is on recognising and understanding haiku poetry. Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry known for its brevity and depth, often reflecting on nature and the seasons. The resources guide students through the structure of a haiku, which consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of five, seven, and five. The lessons aim to develop positive attitudes towards reading and comprehension, as outlined in the National Curriculum requirements. Through listening to and discussing various haikus, such as "The Old Pond" by Matsuo Bashō and "First Autumn Morning" by Murakami Kijo, pupils are encouraged to engage with the poetic form and its themes.

Worksheets provided in the resources support students in writing their own haikus. They are instructed to choose a theme related to nature or the seasons and to follow the haiku structure, crafting lines with the correct syllable count. Word banks for each season offer a rich vocabulary to inspire and assist in the creative process. Example haikus are included to demonstrate the expected outcome, such as "Autumn Leaves" by Jayne Sparrow and "New Beginnings" by Mike Green. The exercises also encourage pupils to explore non-traditional topics for their haikus, allowing them to apply the structure to subjects like favourite foods or hobbies, as seen in the example "My Dog" by Sunny page.