Writing couplets with kids is a good way to introduce poetry. Couplets are short, often funny, and have the classic rhyme and meter that kids associate with poetry.
What is a Couplet?
A couplet is a pair of lines that rhyme. Usually both lines have the same meter, or number of syllables. A couplet expresses a complete thought and can be funny or serious. Some poems are made from several couplets put together.
Here’s an example of a short couplet
April showers
Bring May flowers
Couplets can be put together into longer poems. This well-known poem is made by joining two couplets. Each couplet represents a “stanza” in the poem.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the king's horses and all the king's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again.
Ideas for Writing Couplets with Kids
Couplet Hunt
After you’ve taught your child the definition of a couplet, go on a couplet hunt together. See if you can identify the couplets in familiar songs, books, and poems. Dr. Seuss books are a great place to start.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am,
I do not like green eggs and ham.
(from Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss)
Complete the Couplet
Young children will enjoy this verbal couplet game. To play, read the first and second lines of a couplet, but leave off the last word. Have your child guess the rhyming word that belongs.
Butterflies flutter around my face
Looking for nectar in the wrong _______.
Write a Couplet
- First, choose a topic and come up with the first line of your poem.
- Next, list some words that rhyme with the last word.
- Then, write the second line of your couplet. Make sure to use one of the rhyming words from your list so that both line endings rhyme.
- Finally, count the number of syllables (use your fingers or clap your hands) to make sure that it has the same meter as the first line. If you’d like, make an illustration for your couplet.
Writing a couplet may take some practice. Sometimes when you write your first line you discover that the last word is difficult to rhyme, especially if it has more than one syllable. When this happens try changing the order of words to get a better word to rhyme, or come up with a different line altogether.
After some trial and error, my daughter came up with the following poem made of five couplets.
Tulips are blooming and the weather is warm,
It's officially too hot for a winter storm.
The sun is shining and the breeze is blowing,
It's slightly too hot for it to start snowing.
Birds soar through the sky and dart through the trees,
Butterflies drink nectar as well as the bees.
Trees are budding and animal babies hatch,
Joyfully I water my flower patch.
I dash outside and instantly hear a ring,
The exuberant, beautiful chime of spring!
Conclusion
Writing couplets with kids is a great way to get started with poetry. Two lines is not a lot to write, so couplets are good for those who find writing intimidating. Another benefit of starting with couplets is that kids get to play with rhyme and rhythm and choose any topic they like.
Your Turn
Have you written couplets with your kids? What kinds of poetry do you or your kids enjoy writing most?
