Words in Shapes: Writing Shape Poems

About This Resource

A free Grade 3 ESL writing worksheet on shape poems (also called concrete poems), where the words are arranged in the shape of the topic. Children read an example about the sun, collect describing words and verbs, choose strong words, plan a poem and write their own shape poem. Includes a timed lesson plan, an editable Word version and an answer key.

Overview

In a shape poem, the words make a picture of what the poem is about: a poem about a snake can wiggle across the page, and a poem about rain can fall down it. Children read a short shape poem about the sun, notice how describing words and action words bring it to life, brainstorm words for a topic of their choice, and then draft and write a shape poem with at least six strong words.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Writing Shape Poems
Category: Writing
File Type: PDF
File Size: 227.7 KB
Published: 13 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 3 ESL (ages 8–9), A1–A2 45 minutes Writing vocabulary creativity

Student Task

Show a shape poem and ask: "What do you notice about how it looks?"
Read the sun poem together, then do activities 1 and 2.
Children plan and write their poem in activities 3 to 5. Display the finished poems.

Classroom Use

Gallery walk: display poems; classmates guess the topic from the shape alone.
Word storm: groups list as many words as they can for one topic in two minutes.
Trace it: children lightly draw the shape in pencil first, then write along the line.

Differentiation

Support: offer simple shapes (a ball, the sun, a heart) and a word bank. Challenge: children write a poem where the words also change size, such as rain getting heavier.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 3 check understanding and word choice (answer key included). Use the finished poem in activity 5 to check word choice and layout.

Learning Objectives

Explain what a shape poem is.
Choose describing words and verbs that suit a topic.
Write a shape poem whose words follow the shape of its subject.

Teacher Tips

Shape poems do not need to rhyme. Encourage children to draw the outline lightly in pencil first and write along it, or fill the shape with words. Strong verbs (shines, wiggles, splashes) often work better than many adjectives.

What's Included

6-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (4 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (5 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)