Judith J. Katz
I choose to start with the Modern English Form of Haiku because I believe that form to be accessible and manageable for my students.
The Modern English Haiku container (form) is extremely limited. The container is made up of the rules governing the shape the words are poured into.
The container of the Modern English Haiku is three lines, which equal a total of 17 syllables. Each line has a specific number of syllables: the first line is five syllables, the second is seven and the third is five.
This container looks like anyone could fill it. It seems completely approachable. I mean how hard can it be? It's 17 syllables total. Even students who hate poetry, and have a problem with authority, can still write in the Haiku form as long as they can count to 17. This is exemplified by one of my sixth grade students:
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I don't like Haiku
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I can't think of anything
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To write on this sheet.
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Ari, 6th Grade
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Ari got the container right. His Haiku is three lines, in a five-seven-five format for a total of 17 syllables. But there are other requirements of the form besides the container. There is also the concept.
