Five, Seven, Five: Writing Haiku

About This Resource

A free Grade 4 ESL writing worksheet on haiku, short poems with three lines of five, seven and five syllables. Students count syllables, read two model haiku about winter and rain, find nature words and the moment each poem describes, sort words by syllables and write a haiku of their own. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

A haiku is a short poem that started in Japan. In English, a haiku usually has three lines with five, seven and five syllables, and it describes one moment in nature, often with a clue about the season. Students practice clapping syllables, read two model haiku, one about a winter morning and one about a rainy day, and answer questions about them. They sort words by number of syllables, choose a line with the right count and then plan and write a haiku about a moment they have noticed outside.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Writing Haiku
Category: Writing
File Type: PDF
File Size: 236.3 KB
Published: 12 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 4 ESL (ages 9–10), A2 45 minutes Writing syllables pronunciation descriptive vocabulary

Student Task

Clap the syllables in students' names. Explain that a syllable is a beat in a word.
Read the model haiku and do activities 1 and 2 together, clapping each line.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Name claps: students clap the syllables in their names and sort themselves by number.
Nature walk: students write down three things they see, hear and feel outside before writing.
Haiku gallery: students write their haiku on card with a small drawing and display them.

Differentiation

Support: give a word bank sorted by syllables and a frame with the first line done. Challenge: students write a set of three haiku, one for each of three seasons.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check syllables and haiku features (answer key included). Activity 6 shows whether students can write a haiku.

Learning Objectives

Count syllables in words and lines.
Describe the features of a haiku.
Write a haiku with the 5-7-5 pattern about a moment in nature.

Teacher Tips

Syllable counts can vary with accents (for example, fire or family), so accept reasonable counts. Focus on clear, careful pictures of one moment rather than perfect counting. Haiku do not need to rhyme.

What's Included

8-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

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