Bite-Size Writing Assignment: Limerick

Have your students write a limerick. Traditionally, a limerick has five lines.

You may want to come up with an example, or use the one at the bottom of this lesson, to help your students catch on to limerick writing.

Here is the format of a limerick:

• One stanza of five lines (a stanza is a grouping of two or more lines in a poem)
• First, second and fifth lines rhyme
• Third and fourth lines rhyme
• The first, second and fifth lines are longer than the third and fourth lines
• The lines follow a pattern with certain rhythm and number of syllables (to keep it simple, count out by clapping hands how the rhythm of each line should sound, using the example below)

Sample Limerick:

There once was a kitty named Kate
Who did not like to stay up past eight
Each night in her bed
She'd lay down her head
And she'd stay until it was quite late

Clapping:
First line: clap on once, kitty and Kate
Second line: clap on not, stay and eight
Third line: clap on night and bed
Fourth line: clap on lay and head
Fifth line: clap on stay, it and late

Encourage your student(s) to write goofy limericks. Nonsense is part of the fun!