Poetry is an excellent way to encourage your child’s self-expression. Unfortunately writing poetry can be intimidating for some.
A simple way to introduce poetry writing to young writers is to teach them how to write found poetry.
Learning how to write a found poem can also help motivate reluctant writers because it is fun and they are able to see results quickly.
What is Found Poetry?
Found Poetry is created by taking words and phrases from other sources and rearranging them to form a poem. This allows kids to create and share their own poems quickly and easily.
I have always loved poetry.
It was one of my favorite units to do with my classroom students each year, and this particular activity was always a hit.
I was excited to be able to include this poetry idea in the latest e-book I’ve co-authored: Make Your Mark. The book includes over 30 fun projects to promote the love of writing, storytelling, and self-confidence.
How to Write Found Poetry
Materials Needed:
- Old Magazines
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- Construction Paper
To create your own found poems, search through old magazine ads with your child and cut out interesting words and phrases. (Afterwards, you can use those same magazines to make recycled magazine butterflies.)
Magazine ads work great for this activity because they usually include a variety of short phrases. This makes it easy to read quickly and find words and phrases you want to include in your poem.
Once you have collected your snippets, arrange them on your construction paper.
Is there a message or theme that most of the phrases seem to express?
Or is there something your child really wants to write about?
Choose which phrases and words you will keep in your poem.
If necessary, search through the magazine ads for additional words to go with your poem.
Try moving the pieces around on the paper until you are happy with how the words flow together.
Read the poem aloud together.
When your child is satisfied with how the poem sounds, glue the phrases in place. Congratulate your young poet on their masterpiece.
If your child wants, let them decorate their paper. Display their poetry for others to read and enjoy.
Modifications for Found Poetry for Kids
- For younger children try cutting out a variety of words and phrases for them to choose from ahead of time. Older children will have fun searching through the magazine pages on their own for phrases that interest them.
- Add in handwriting practice by having your child write their completed poem on lined paper.
- Create found poetry using other sources, such as newspapers, text books, cereal boxes, or even song lyrics.
- Challenge your child to create a found poem based on a topic they are studying as a unique way to analyze and present information.
Poetry writing doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Learning how to write found poetry will open up a new world that allows your child to express themselves through writing.
You may also like:
- ABC’s & 123’s — 40 hands-on activities to help teach letter and math skills
- Fluency Practice with Funny Poetry from This Reading Mama
- 15 Fun Ways to Work on Sight Words
