Teaching creative writing to high school students can be both exciting and intimidating. Some students enter your creative writing class bubbling with ideas, while others (especially reluctant writers) freeze when faced with a blank piece of paper.

But don’t worry! If you’re freezing up trying to think of fun and meaningful Creative Writing activities, I’ve got you.

You can help every student discover the fun way the written word can become a creative outlet. Below are 13 tried-and-true activities—many pulled directly from my High School Creative Writing Curriculum—that build writing skills, foster students’ creativity, and leave a lasting impression.

And, if you need an entire Creative Writing class, you can grab that complete, done-for-you 9-Week Creative Writing Class right here!

Creative Writing Activities #1: Erasure Poems

Erasure poems are a category of poems in which poetry is created from existing text. They blend visual arts and poetry. 

The most well-known variations of erasure poems are probably blackout poetry and found poetry. These are great for getting students to warm up to writing because it doesn’t actually require them to write!

But it does get them thinking about poetry in a new way and examining the beauty of words. Plus, it’s just hands-on fun for a Creative Writing class or unit that can be a lot of plain pen-and-paper work.

You can get a resource for teaching both of these types of poems right here.

Creative Writing Activities for High School #2: Flash Fiction Challenges

What is flash fiction? It’s fiction with a very short and strict word count. It’s the perfect way to help students build writing endurance, challenge them to use precise and concise diction, and just get them writing.

Give students a strict word limit (100–500 words), and see how they handle character development and key elements of plot in a tiny space. These short stories are quick to grade and a fun activity for creative writing clubs, too.

My favorite variation of flash fiction is the two-sentence horror story.

You can learn more about using the two-sentence horror story in class in this blog post.

Or you can grab a FREE two-sentence horror story activity right here!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #3: Journal Writing

Journal writing and Creative Writing go hand in hand, right? 

You can use journal writing as a daily warm-up or as a once-a-week activity. 

Use writing prompts or story starters to get students writing. (You could even make a Mad Libs-style prompt.) Make sure they know there’s no pressure to write perfectly, finish their work, or even write coherently!

Funny or silly writing prompts are always a hit (like having students write from the perspective of an inanimate object, create a diary entry of a mythical creature, or describe goofy products).

But they can also be used to offer unique challenges (write a piece of historical fiction, 

You can get nine weeks’ worth of editable Creative Writing prompts right here. They’ll save you from staring at your screen blankly five minutes before class begins every day!

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Creative Writing Activities for High School #4: Teach Literary Terms

You can weave literary terms throughout your entire Creative Writing class–and you should!

But I also like to start with a short figurative language unit to front-load the most important and most used terms. 

In my Figurative Language Mini-unit (which you can get here), I teach ten different literary terms, have students do a figurative language scavenger hunt, assign students a sensory writing activity, and more.

Literary terms are must-have knowledge for any young writer; make sure you build some direct instruction into your class!

(And if you’re required to give a final exam, a literary terms test like this one can be a practical option.)

Creative Writing Activities for High School #5: Quick Story Chain

Story chains are a great way for students to let loose, collaborate, and just have fun writing.

In small groups, have students each write one paragraph of a quick story before passing it to the next student. The results are often hilarious—and it’s a great way to break writer’s block.

I liked to have students pass stories around the whole classroom while writing only one sentence at a time. Try each variation and see what crazy stories your class creates!

I like having this idea in my back pocket for when there’s a weird 10-15 minutes left in a class. You don’t need any supplies beyond paper and pencil.

Creative Writing Activities for High School #6: Skill-building Minilessons

Creative Writing classes shouldn’t just be fun activities and different writing tasks. At some point, you need to actually teach Creative Writing skills.

I prefer to do this using a minilesson format: teach a short lesson, then give students a short writing task that lets them practice the concept.

In this post, I talk about different lesson plan ideas you can use for these minilessons (writing dialogue, showing not telling, etc.).

Or, you can grab a collection of no-prep Creative Writing Minilessons right here!

I tried to make the Creative Writing exercises hands-on or collaborative so students aren’t just sitting still and writing every class period.

Creative Writing Activities for High School #7: Teach Different Types of Writing

Some Creative Writing classes are really niche–like a fantasy writing class. But most aren’t. If you’re teaching a generalized Creative Writing class, consider covering different types of writing.

You could talk about different genres (horror, comedy, sci-fi, etc.) and have students try out different ones. 

I like to cover different poetry formats (odes, haikus, etc.) because poetry is more accessible (i.e. shorter) for reluctant writers. You could also talk about different types of poetry (free verse, slam poetry, etc.).

If you need lessons that cover different types of poems, you can grab a bunch right here!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #8: Poem of the Week

Studying a Poem of the Week is a cheat code, honestly!

Poem of the Week activities do it all: expose students to new poems and authors, offer analysis practice, teach new literary terms, and serve as mentor texts for original writing.

Here’s how I did Poem of the Week Activities:

Each week, we’d have a different Poem of the Week. Students would do one analysis task (explain a metaphor, find alliteration, etc.) as a daily bell ringer at the start of class. On Mondays, I’d introduce the poem and talk a little bit about the author.

On Fridays, after we’ve studied the poem and analyzed it fully, students would use it as a mentor text to write their own. So, if we had studied a sonnet, students might be challenged to now write their own sonnet. 

You can get nine weeks’ worth of Poem of the Week activities right here!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #9: Fairy Tale Retellings

If you need a bigger writing project or summative assessment, having students rewrite a fairy tale is a perfect choice!

Have students reimagine fairy tales like The Little Mermaid or Cinderella. Encourage them to add magical creatures, set the story in real life, or write from the unique perspective of a side character.

Because students already know the basic plot points of the story, they won’t face as much writer’s block.

That means, instead of spending classroom time coming up with a story, they can jump right into more nuanced skills like characterization and crafting dialogue. This is the perfect project for struggling writers because the scaffolding is already built in!

If you want to learn more about doing a Fairy Tale retelling project, check out this blog post. 

If you need a done-for-you project–with worksheets to help students plan out their stories–grab my Fairy Tale Retelling Project right here!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #10: Author Study Project

Talk about differentiation! If you want a project that gives students a lot of choice, try an author study.

I go into more details about doing an author study in this blog post, but the gist is that you’ll have students choose an author to study.

They’ll read a few of their works and identify essential elements of that author’s style. Then, your students will try to emulate that author’s style in a brand new, unique piece of writing.

If you’re looking for a more challenging Creative Writing activity for older students, this is it! You can grab this project ready to go right here!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #11: Create a Graphic Novel or Comic Strip

This is another great way to combine writing with visual arts in your classroom: have students turn one of their stories into a comic book.

There are, of course, all kinds of creative ways to implement this idea. If you want one that’s no-prep, you can grab my Comic Book Memoir Project right here.

With this resource, students write short creative nonfiction pieces inspired by their own lives. Then, they tell the story in a comic strip format.

If you don’t want students to create comic books as a big project, you could offer comic book strip templates for brainstorming, as a starting point, or to help students map out new ideas for stories.

You could even spend a day examining comics or graphic novels as a writing genre.

Creative Writing Activities for High School #12: Write a Children’s Book

Students write and illustrate their own children’s book aimed at younger students. This creative writing project makes them consider language skills, clarity, and student choice in a new light.

If possible, you could even pair with an elementary teacher and have your students read their original stories to a classroom of younger writers. Nothing motivates young writers like an authentic audience!

Creative Writing Activities for High School #13: Use Photos as Inspiration

You can take this idea and use it to spark creativity with nearly any kind of fiction writing.

In my Figurative Language Photo Writing Project, I have students pick an image of a setting. Then, they must practice their figurative language skills to describe that setting. 

You could give students historical photos with no context, and ask them to write historical fiction. Or give them images of creepy places as inspiration for a horror story. 

If you have any kind of narrative writing unit plan, consider using photos as inspiration to help spur your students’ creative thinking.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single formula for teaching creative writing, but offering a variety of creative writing activities high school students can engage with is an important part of building confidence and excitement. Whether it’s erasure poems, a fairy tale retelling, or a children’s book project, these fun activities help students develop critical thinking, language skills, and a deeper appreciation of the written word.

If you’d like sequenced lesson plans, journal prompts, and creative writing projects ready to go, check out my High School Creative Writing Curriculum. It’s packed with new exercises that will keep your students writing on a regular basis—and save you planning time!

The post 13 Engaging Creative Writing Activities High School Students Will Love appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Whether you’re teaching a full Creative Writing class or a short writing unit, humor is the universal language that can spark imagination, improve writing skills, and keep writer’s block far away.

In this post, I’ll explain why journaling should be part of every creative writing class, how to build effective classroom routines around it, and strategies for grading journal writing without losing your mind.

Oh—and I’ll share dozens of funny prompts, comedic story starters, and great ideas to keep your classroom laughing and learning all year long!

Need a bunch of done-for-you journal prompts? You can grab a 9-week, editable slideshow with tons of writing prompts for your students right here! 

If you want to skip ahead to the prompts, click here. 

Engage your students in more creative writing!

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Why Have Students Journal in Creative Writing?

How do we improve student reading? We get students to read as much as possible.

So, how do we improve student writing? The same. We give them tons of opportunities for low-stakes writing.

Journaling is a great way to help students develop confidence and fluency in their writing. It gives them a safe space to experiment with different genres, characters, and story starters—without the pressure of a formal writing assignment.

Your students’ journals will become a repository of ideas. So when you finally assign a writing assignment, they won’t be able to say, “I don’t know what to write about.”

But the best thing about journaling? It gets students writing consistently. And the best way to improve as a writer is to write more often. Even if what they’re writing is a humorous story about a serial killer who moonlights as a stand-up comedian or a mythical creature trying to become social media famous.

Funny journal prompts take the pressure off. When students are laughing, they’re relaxed. When they’re relaxed, the words flow. And when the words flow? That blank page becomes less intimidating.

Journals also:

• Encourage creative thinking and original ideas
• Help students explore the writing process in a low-stakes setting
• Offer a snapshot of a student’s writing style and growth over time
• Provide endless opportunities for connection and classroom community (hello, inside joke!)

Whether your students are retelling Snow White with magical creatures, imagining a dream house with a magic wand, or turning a boring historical figure into a comedy writing goldmine, journaling can be the gateway to stronger, funnier, and more confident writers.

Classroom Routines and Expectations for Journaling

If journaling feels like one more thing to manage, let’s simplify. With clear expectations and predictable routines, journals can become the best medicine for classroom chaos—and a powerful support group for budding writers.

Here’s how to make it work:

1. Set a Routine

Decide when journaling will happen. Will it be a bell-ringer at the beginning of class? A wind-down activity at the end? A weekly newsletter-style reflection every Friday?

My suggestion? Start class with 5–10 minutes of journal writing. It’s a fun way to ease students into the creative mindset and create structure from the start.

If you’re adding journaling to your classroom, make sure it is a consistent part of your day. Consider it a must-do classroom management tool.

Plus, starting with journaling gives you a moment to take attendance and deal with any beginning-of-class chaos. 

And journaling first thing means it won’t be forgotten! How often do we push off good ideas because we ran out of time?

2. Use a Variety of Prompts

Provide a variety of prompts to keep things fresh. From funny picture writing prompts to a list of funny things that happened last week, the right prompt can transform even the most reluctant writer into a storytelling machine.

Include prompts that reference:

• Everyday life
• A favorite book or favorite song
• Pop culture (hello, video games and social media!)
• Silly hypotheticals (What if your best friend was actually a magical creature from another time period?)
• Funny animals, inside jokes, or a character missing their funny bone

In addition to prompts, I like to always provide my Creative Writing students with the option of free choice or free writing.

Sometimes students come to class and they have something they need to get off their chest. Or, they might have a longer writing idea they want to flesh out. Let them use their journaling time to pursue these passions. 

But don’t forget to provide prompts for students who need more structure and scaffolding.

If you don’t have the time to set up prompts every day for class, you can grab my done-for-you Journal Prompts here! Each day includes two options and a free write choice. Plus, it’s entirely editable, so you can add, delete, or tweak anything!

3. Encourage Choice

Let students choose from a list of journal prompts—or invent their own! Some might want to tackle a scary story, while others prefer a funny story involving the big bad wolf joining a literary magazine.

In this post, I’m sticking to comedy, but your students will want a variety of options. Make sure some of your prompts work for genres other than comedy. 

You might also want to provide a variety of formats for your journal prompts.

For example, you could offer a sentence starter vs. a scenario. You could ask a personal question and a what-if question.

Provide funny writing prompts next to horror writing prompts. Make sure your prompts include a variety of formats, genres, and topics. You want to give your students opportunities to challenge themselves and work outside of their comfort zones.

4. Create a Journal Routine

Students can:

• Write a title for each entry (a good habit for organizing ideas)
• Date their entries
• Star their favorite entries to expand into a longer short story later (or to receive feedback on from you)
• Copy down the prompt to which their responding

You also need a way to time your journal writing. I recommend setting up some kind of timer that your students can see. Your journal writing time should be consistent. Whether it’s five, ten, or fifteen minutes every day, keep that writing time the same every day throughout the week. 

Optional: Have students decorate their journals or choose a theme (like all stories take place in a time machine universe or feature a younger sibling as the main character). Decorating journals could be a great first-week-of-school activity!

5. Establish Expectations

Make it clear that journals are:

• A place for exploration, not perfection
• Meant to be creative and fun
• Occasionally shared, but always respected

Remind students that a silly comedic story can still reveal their unique perspective and help develop their writing style.

It’s also important that you make sure all students respect one another’s work. It takes a lot of bravery to write, and even more to share.

6. Model Journal Writing

Write in your own journal with your students. 

This might not be possible every single day. There will be minor emergencies or attendance issues at the beginning of class that you just have to deal with. 

But occasionally, and more often at the beginning of the year, show students what journal writing looks like. 

In my classroom, I would sometimes respond to one of the journal prompts in my own journal. I would even project my notebook so students could watch me work in real-time. Students saw me cross out words and draw arrows to ideas. I wanted my students to know that the art of writing was a messy one!

And then, I would read aloud what I wrote and reflect with my students on the parts I liked, the places I struggled, and what I could change or add if I had more time.  

Teaching Creative Writing means modeling what being a Creative Writer looks like.

7. Provide Opportunities to Share

After students have journaled for the day, provide time to share. This could be done on a daily or weekly basis. 

Sharing should be low-stakes and not required. Save required read-alouds for more formal writing assignments. Journaling should be a “safe space” for young writers. 

You’ll probably have some students who consistently want to share!

But you’ll probably have even more students who are shy about their work. When I had students who clearly loved their work but felt shy about sharing, I offered to read their entries aloud for them. They got to share their work and hear feedback, but didn’t have to directly face their peers. 

Grading Journal Writing

Okay, let’s be honest. You probably don’t want to read 150 rambling pages about a historical figure turning into a magical creature just to give it a grade.

When I was told I’d be teaching Creative Writing, reading and grading journal prompts was the number one thing that filled me with anxiety. But honestly, the process is only as bad as you make it!

So, how do you grade journal writing without turning it into a dreaded writing assignment?

1. Use a Completion-Based System

The simplest approach is to check for completion. Did the student write the entry? Did they give it a good-faith effort?

Here are some ideas:

• Do periodic notebook checks
• Use a stamp system
• Require students to star their 3 favorite entries each quarter and turn them in for feedback

I always told students that they had to journal every day, but that I was only going to check for completion and effort. If they wanted, they could star one or two entries for me to specifically read.

Some students never starred anything. Others always starred super long entries. Make one or two specific comments in the margins and continue on!

2. Create a Simple Rubric

Focus on qualities like:

• Creativity
• Voice
• Effort
• Clarity of ideas

This allows you to reward risk-taking and original thinking—even if their comedic story about a favorite season being canceled by a serial killer isn’t Pulitzer-worthy.

Rubric grading will take you longer, so this might be a better option if you’re teaching a short writing unit instead of a longer Creative Writing class. This could also be great if you have a really small class size. 

You may want to come up with some basic requirements for journal prompts (like a minimum of three sentences each), so that grading along a rubric is easier.

3. Offer Opportunities for Expansion

Let students revise one journal entry into a polished short story, turning a silly starter into a full-blown masterpiece. This shows growth through the writing process—and makes grading more meaningful.

Plus, you won’t have to actually read and grade the journal prompts themselves. Instead, you can spend your time reading fewer but longer pieces and providing more impactful feedback on your students’ writing.

4. Celebrate Journaling

Make spaces in your classroom for students to share their journaling.

You could have a bulletin board of students’ best pieces. (Require them to contribute at least one or two entries throughout your class.)

Create “funny hubs” in your classroom by sharing favorite (volunteer!) entries on a board or in a class literary magazine. Highlighting student voice is a great way to build confidence and community.

Sometimes, while I was grading or checking journals, I would snap a picture of a particularly good entry. Then, I could share it later (anonymously) and point out the writing technique or idea that the student did particularly well.

Similarly, you could collect funny responses and share them in your real-life or digital classroom.

Funny Creative Writing Prompts Your Students Will Love

Ok, ok. Get on it with it already. If you’re looking for prompts you can use right now with your students, here they are!

Ready to stock your journal bank with some funny creative writing prompts? Here’s a mega list of great ideas to use in your classroom. They’ll help you build routines, crush writer’s block, and keep students engaged for the entire year.

Funny Story Starters

Give students the first line of a story. Then, have them continue writing the story from there. Use one of the lines below, or create your own!

• The last time I saw my future self, they warned me not to eat the cafeteria tacos.
• A magical creature just enrolled in my school. Their favorite thing? Word problems.
• My younger sibling became president. On day one, they banned video games and declared Tuesday Pajama Day.
• My best friend and I accidentally built a time machine in science class.
• My pet hamster thinks he’s a stand-up comedian. Honestly, he’s funnier than most adults.
• My dream house has one small problem: it’s haunted by a very lazy serial killer.
• I woke up this morning with a new superpower: I can talk to squirrels. They’re very gossipy.
• The school janitor just revealed he’s actually an undercover wizard.
• I accidentally summoned a ghost who only wants to discuss outdated memes.
• I entered a cooking competition… but everything I cook turns into glitter.
• I adopted a dragon, but it’s terrified of fire.
• Our math teacher was replaced by a robot who only speaks in Shakespearean English.
• The class pet just ran for student council president—and won.
• My reflection started arguing with me in the mirror this morning.
• I joined a secret club that meets in the school janitor’s closet—and it’s weirder than I expected.

Funny Picture Writing Prompts

Instead of writing out a journal prompt, you could ask students to write about an image instead. This is one place where AI can actually really help!

You can provide a solitary image or give students an image to go with a scenario. Here are some possible scenarios you could use. (Pair these with images from clip art, memes, or AI-generated art!):

• A fairy tale wedding where the little pigs are the flower girls
• A scary story with a funny animal as the villain
• Snow White running a donut shop for magical creatures
• A group of historical figures starting a support group for people stuck in the wrong time period
• A T-Rex trying to play the violin in a fancy orchestra
• An alien family shopping for groceries at a very confused Earth supermarket
• A pirate getting lost in a modern city
• A vampire attending a beach party
• A unicorn working in a corporate office
• A robot trying to babysit toddlers

Funny Creative Writing Journal Prompts Inspired by Everyday Life

Not every student loves to write about crazy or fantastic topics. You’ll find that a lot of our students want to write about real life, or at the very least, keep their stories in the realm of reality. 

These writing prompts can result in humorous entries, but they use everyday life as inspiration.

• What’s the weirdest thing that happened last week?
• If your favorite book character showed up in your math class, how would it go?
• Describe your favorite season as if it were a person.
• If your family member had magical powers, what would they use them for?
• Imagine your school had no gravity for a day. What would that look like?
• Write about the worst haircut you can imagine.
• If your shoes could talk, what would they say about your day?
• Write a break-up letter from you to your alarm clock.
• Describe a dinner with your pet as your dinner guest.
• If your homework assignment became sentient, what would it do?

Comedy Writing with a Twist

Ask students to create comedy by adding a twist to something familiar. Here are some possible challenges you can present to your students:

• Rewrite a horror movie scene as a funny story.
• Imagine a serial killer trying to improve their image on social media.
• Describe a day in the life of a stand-up comedian who only tells jokes about historical events.
• Tell a story where the main character is allergic to laughter.
• Invent a holiday no one wants to celebrate and explain its bizarre traditions.
• Describe a villain who is extremely polite and apologetic.
• Write an instruction manual for how to survive your school’s cafeteria.
• Create a fake commercial for a ridiculous invention.
• Pitch a new reality TV show starring your English teacher.
• Tell the origin story of a superhero whose only power is extreme awkwardness.

Wrapping It Up: Funny Prompts, Real Growth

Whether you’re teaching middle school or guiding a seasoned high school student, incorporating funny creative writing prompts into your journaling routine is a good idea that pays off all year long. You’ll see improvements in creative thinking, stronger short stories, and students who actually look forward to writing.

Even better? You’ll be creating space for laughter, connection, and original ideas—the true hallmarks of an engaging creative writing class. Journal writing is a great way to build community–especially if you find yourself teaching a Creative Writing class. 

Ready to get started? You can grab my fully editable, 9-week slideshow of Journal Prompts right here!

The post 45 Funny Creative Writing Prompts Guaranteed to Get Students Writing appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Grab your I Am Poem free download right here, and let’s talk about why this activity is a lovely thing to include in your high school English classroom.

Whether you’re starting a new year, wrapping up a unit, or honoring someone special, the “I Am” poem offers the right words for students to express their deepest thoughts—without a forced air of solemnity.

You can get your FREE “I Am” Poem Lesson right here!

What Is an “I Am” Poem?

An “I Am” poem is a simple and beautiful poem format built around sentence starters like:

• I am…
• I feel…
• I dream…
• I hope…

These prompts guide students in writing personal, reflective poetry—even if they claim they “hate” poetry.

The result? A mix of happy memories, troubled thoughts, dreams of starry nights, and reflections on good friends, good laughs, and even times of sorrow.

It’s a wonderful way to build voice while providing structure—ideal for students who need support in expressing themselves.

Why Teach The “I Am” Poem?

There are so many reasons to include the “I Am” poem in your curriculum—especially if you’re teaching struggling or reluctant writers. This activity isn’t just about keeping students busy; it’s about getting them comfortable expressing their ideas on paper.

Here’s why:

It introduces foundational poetry terms

If you’re using the “I Am” poem as the first poem in your class or unit (which I recommend), it’s the perfect time to introduce some basic literary terms.

You can’t have students writing poetry without them knowing what a “line” and a “stanza” are. Use the “I Am” poem to show students what these are.

(My FREE “I Am” Poem worksheet points out these poetry features with definitions explicitly.)

Ask students to count the lines and stanzas in the “I Am” poem to make sure they get it.

If you want to take it even further, you can discuss tone and mood or introduce some basic figurative language techniques, too.

It builds confidence in reluctant writers

There’s something magical about giving students a scaffolded poem and watching their creativity unfold. Even your most resistant writers will walk away thinking, “Hey… that wasn’t so bad.” 

Starting with an “I Am” poem might just make your students less resistant to the next poem you assign.

While some students will just fill in the blanks as quickly as possible to get the assignment done and over with, some students might share some laughs and maybe even get a few happy memories on paper.

This poem is often the first time students realize they can write something meaningful.

It fosters classroom community

Sharing these poems (either out loud or on a gallery walk) helps students connect through common experiences. Whether they write about good friends, times of sorrow, or sunny days, they can more easily find common ground with their peers.

I love using the “I Am” poem at the beginning of a Creative Writing class because it doubles as a getting-to-know-you exercise. However, unlike many back-to-school activities, you can skip the awkward talking and standing in front of the class.

In a world of social media and constant comparison, this little poem lets students show up as their true selves—and feel seen for it.

When to Teach the I Am Poem

This flexible poem structure fits into your curriculum in a variety of meaningful ways:

1. First Week of School

Use it as a back-to-school icebreaker! Students introduce themselves with creativity instead of awkward facts. It’s low-stakes, personal, and the perfect start to a year of writing. (Also ideal if your students’ brains are still in vacation mode.)

2. End of a Unit or School Year

Use it as a reflection piece at the end of the year or a big unit. Let students reflect on how they’ve changed—especially after a novel study, identity unit, or a school year full of good times and maybe even a few moist eyes.

3. Beginning of a Creative Writing Class or Poetry Unit

If you’re just starting a Creative Writing Class or poetry unit, the “I Am” poem is the perfect introduction! It eases reluctant writers into putting their ideas on paper, introduces basic lit terms, and gently gets students comfortable with sharing their work with others.

4. April: National Poetry Writing Month

Want to celebrate National Poetry Writing Month but short on time? The “I Am” poem is the perfect one-and-done poetry activity!

How to Teach the I Am Poem

Step 1: Introduce the Poem

Start with a model. 

I highly recommend the model be your own “I Am” poem. That way, students aren’t just learning about a type of poem–they’re learning about and connecting with you. Again, this makes the “I Am” poem a perfect back-to-school lesson!

​Explain “lines” and “stanzas” if these are terms you haven’t covered before. Remind students that these poems don’t need to be perfect.

If you want to add some rigor to this basic poem, you can talk about tone and voice. Will students’ own “I Am” poem be full of lines of perfect joy? Bittersweet? Humorous? Encourage variety.

Step 2: Use the Template

You can a FREE template and teaching slideshow here!

Use this worksheet with your students. The sentence stems help students feel supported. You can project them, pass out a worksheet, or even post it on your LMS or online classroom for easy access.

(If students are having a hard time filling in the blanks, they might be overwhelmed with the number of choices. After all, there are a lot of ways to finish the sentence: I feel _____. For these students, you can ask them to focus on one part or aspect of their life. Maybe have them think of happy times, a difficult time, or a hobby they love to focus on. My own personal “I Am” poem focused on how I feel as a greyhound mom!)

Step 3: Encourage Expression

Let students know it’s okay to be funny, serious, or even dark. Some may write about juicy bones and pet dreams, others about undue grief, or finding peace in the next room. Give space for all of it.

(Want to go deeper? Invite students to write as a character from literature, a historical figure, or someone they’ve lost. It can be a powerful final farewell. You could even do the “I Am” poem again after a later unit or novel study and challenge students to come up with thoughtful ways to write an “I Am” poem from a character’s point of view.)

Step 4: Have Students Share Their I Am Poems

There are all kinds of ways to have students share their poetry.

My favorite method for the “I Am” poem, however, is to do a simple gallery walk. 

As students finish writing their “I Am” poem, have them hang their poems up around the room. (I had clips on wire around my room for this specific purpose, but you could just use Scotch tape, too.)

Then, give students time to walk around and read their peers’ poems. You can even have them add a Post-it note to poems with positive feedback. (If this is the first poem students are writing in your class, you may want to skip constructive criticism and just work on building confidence first.)

Download the FREE I Am Poem Resource

You’ll get everything you need to teach this poem successfully:

• ✅ Teaching slideshow
• ✅ Student worksheet
• ✅ Teaching tips
• ✅ Options for deeper extension

Perfect for:

• Back-to-school
• Identity units
• Poetry month
• Memory writing
• Funeral or memorial writing prompts
• Or just making room for some good laughs and self-expression

It’s all part of the master plan—one that honors voice, writing, and the unbroken continuity of human experience.

Final Thoughts

As English teachers, we help students find the words they didn’t know they needed. The “I Am” poem gives them a way to reflect, celebrate, and heal—even when they’re unsure how to start.

This is more than just an icebreaker—it’s a place of warmth, a tribute to the self, and a tool to honor the empty places we all carry. From sunny days to the end of the road, this poem has a place in your curriculum.

Download your I Am Poem free today and bring some poetry, personality, and peace to your classroom.

The post This FREE “I Am” Poem is the Perfect Back-to-school Activity appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Getting your students to understand not only the punctuation of dialogue, but the natural flow of dialogue is beyond tricky! A lot of writers struggle with the basic rules of dialogue punctuation, from knowing when to use quotation marks to formatting speech tags correctly.

In this post, we’ll go over different types of dialogue, including inner dialogue, outer dialogue, indirect dialogue, and prose dialogues. Plus, I’ll show you some common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

Need a useful tool to help your students master writing dialogue? Check out my Dialogue Writing Mini-lesson and Workshop for High School Creative Writing, a resource designed to make dialogue second nature for young writers!

Dialogue Terms

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of dialogue with your students, make sure they know all of the necessary terms first!

“Dialogue” itself is a term your students might not have mastered yet. Do they know what the speech in a text is called? Make sure they know the definition of dialogue!

Also, make sure they understand what a “speech tag” or “dialogue tag” is. Your lesson will be a lot clearer if they know the term for “he said/she said.”

You might also want to quickly review important punctuation marks like quotation marks and commas. I’ve learned to never take for granted that students know basic concepts. There’s always at least one student who needs the review!

(And if you’d like to go into more details with your students about commas, check out my Using Commas Lesson right here!)

The Basic Rules of Writing Dialogue

Before diving into dialogue examples, let’s go over some basic rules of dialogue punctuation. These are the rules that you might want to cover with students–whether you’re teaching academic grammar or Creative Writing. Here’s what your students need to know:

1. Use quotation marks to enclose spoken words (a.k.a. outer dialogue).
2. Every time a new speaker begins talking, start a new paragraph.
3. Punctuation marks like a comma, full stop, question mark, or exclamation point go inside the closing quotation mark if they belong to the spoken sentence.
4. Speech tags (like “he said” or “she asked”) help identify the speaker and should be separated from the dialogue with a comma.
5. Action beats can replace speech tags and go in their own sentence.
6. Use single quotation marks when quoting within a quote.
7. Inner dialogue (thoughts) can be formatted with italics or em dashes, depending on the stylistic choice.

Let’s look at a first example of properly formatted dialogue:

Example 1:

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Leo said, shaking his head. “We should turn back.”

“No way!” Mia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “We’ve come too far to quit now!”

Point out how each new speaker gets their own paragraph, and speech tags are correctly placed with commas.

Different Forms of Dialogue

Not all dialogue is the same!

One of the many reasons you might be teaching dialogue is because you want your students to vary their writing and make it interesting. So be sure to cover a variety of dialogue formats and uses so that students can use them in their writing.

It would be so boring to read a class of short stories that all use the same dialogue format again and again!

Always provide dialogue in a sentence examples with your students. Here are some examples of various forms of dialogue you can share with your class:

1. Outer Dialogue (Spoken Word)

This is the most common form of dialogue and is marked by double quotation marks.

Example 2:

“Are you coming to the party?” Jake asked.

“I’m not sure,” said Bella. “I have a lot of homework.”

2. Inner Dialogue (Thoughts)

Inner dialogue expresses a character’s thoughts and can be formatted in different ways. Some writers use italics, while others prefer em dashes or indirect phrasing.

Example 3 (Italics):

I can’t believe she just said that, Leo thought.

Example 4 (Em Dash):

Leo hesitated—was this really the right thing to do?

3. Indirect Dialogue

Instead of quoting a character’s exact words, indirect dialogue summarizes what was said.

Example 5:

She told him that she would think about it.

Indirect dialogue is useful when you want to avoid small talk or summarize conversations. (I find this example to be especially helpful for students who struggle with figuring out what information to include and what to skip in their narrative writing.)

If you’re having students do a Creative Writing project like a short story, be sure to cover all of these dialogue situations!

Dialogue Punctuation Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re going to show your students what to do when creating dialogue, be sure to also cover what not to do!

If you point out these common dialogue mistakes before students try writing on their own, you’ll save them (and yourself!) a ton of time correcting tedious grammar mistakes.

A common grammar mistake in writing dialogue is misplacing punctuation marks. Let’s compare a correct and incorrect example:

❌ Incorrect Example:

“I can’t believe you did that”. He said.

✅ Correct Example:

“I can’t believe you did that,” he said.

See the difference? The closing quotation mark should come after the comma, not after the full stop. Also, speech tags start with a lowercase letter unless they contain a proper noun.

Another mistake involves new paragraphs. Remember to emphasize for your students that when a speaker changes, a new paragraph must start!

❌ Incorrect Example:

“Where are we going?” Mia asked. “You’ll see,” Leo replied.

✅ Correct Example:

“Where are we going?” Mia asked.

“You’ll see,” Leo replied.

While writing interesting and natural dialogue is important for young writers, they need to master writing correct dialogue first. Even in a Creative Writing class, I recommend taking some time to review and practice the grammar of dialogue. My Dialogue Mini-Lesson includes a worksheet for practicing dialogue punctuation.

Advanced Dialogue Techniques

Are your students ready to level up their dialogue writing? Check out these dialogue in a sentence examples and have them try these techniques:

• Use Action Beats Instead of Speech Tags – Instead of constantly using “he said” or “she asked,” replace them with an action beat to show movement and emotion.

Example:

“I don’t trust him.” Zoe crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. “Something feels off.”

• Experiment with Punctuation for Style – Writers can use em dashes, ellipses, and exclamation points for effect.

Example:

“Wait—what was that noise?”

Example:

“I can’t believe you did that!”

• Use Single Quotation Marks for Quotes Inside Quotes – When a character quotes someone else, use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks.

Example:

“Then he said, ‘I’ll never forgive you,’ and walked away,” Julia recounted.

• Vary Your Lines of Dialogue – Avoid making every line of dialogue the same length. Short, snappy responses can increase tension, while longer lines can build emotion or backstory.

Example:

“We have to go.”

“Why?”

“Because if we stay, we’ll never get another chance.”

• Show, Don’t Just Tell – Instead of always relying on dialogue to reveal information, mix in facial expressions, stage direction, and emotional state. (Need ideas for teaching this concept? Check out this blog post about teaching students to “show. Don’t tell.”)

Example:

“Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer. His hands trembled as he stared at the shattered photo frame.

Teaching Dialogue Writing in the Classroom

If you’re teaching high school creative writing, guiding students through dialogue formatting can be a game-changer. Many young writers struggle with punctuation marks, speech tags, and when to use quotation marks correctly. 

However, if you can show students how to punctuate their characters’ speech, you’ll have more confident writers–and spend less time editing and grading student writing!

Here are some ideas you can use to break down dialogue writing for students:

• Start with short dialogues so students can focus on formatting.
• Encourage students to analyze how real people speak and incorporate small talk naturally.
• Have them rewrite incorrect examples to reinforce basic rules.
• Challenge them to experiment with different options like action beats, inner dialogue, and indirect dialogue.
• Use mentor texts from poets of all abilities, short stories, and novels to showcase various forms of dialogue.

Looking for a ready-to-use resource to teach dialogue effectively? My Dialogue Writing Mini-lesson and Workshop for High School Creative Writing provides a structured, engaging way to help students learn how to punctuate and create dialogue!

Final Thoughts on Writing Dialogue

Mastering dialogue punctuation takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. I hope these dialogue in a sentence examples help you plan out your next lesson!

The next step is to refine your characters’ voices and use dialogue as a useful tool to reveal personality, tension, and plot. Get started the easy way with my done-for-you Dialogue Writing Mini Lesson and Workshop!

The post How to Write Dialogue in a Sentence (With Examples!) appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Whether it’s National Poetry Month or just time for your annual poetry unit, teaching poetry can be a great opportunity to engage older students with creativity, analysis, and even some laughs.

But for a lot of teachers, it can also feel daunting—especially if your students have only encountered dense Shakespearean sonnets or dusty textbook examples.

The good news? Poetry doesn’t have to be boring.

There are fun poetry activities that help high schoolers (and even middle school students) understand poetic devices, connect emotionally to text, and feel empowered to write their own poetry—sometimes for the first time ever.

In this post, I’m going to share some of my favorite poetry activities for high school students, organized by skill and activity type. These are perfect for ELA teachers looking for low-prep ways to make poetry more accessible, creative, and even fun!

Poetry for High School Students Activities #1: Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt

Before students can appreciate a poem’s structure or deeper meaning, they need to understand what makes it tick—namely, its figurative language and poetic devices.

One of the best ways to make these concepts stick is with a scavenger hunt. Give students a selection of short poems, song lyrics, or even picture books and have them search for examples of:

• Simile and metaphor
• Personification
• Alliteration
• Hyperbole
• Onomatopoeia
• Allusion

Have students highlight examples, label them, and present their findings to the class. Then, have them create their own examples for each of the terms you include.

It turns abstract literary terms into something more concrete.

You can create your own scavenger hunt. (Pro tip: Use modern-day songs to hook your students’ attention. Just be sure to screen for appropriate lyrics first.)

Or, you can save yourself a ton of time by grabbing my done-for-you Figurative Language Lesson and Scavenger Hunt Activity!

Poetry for High School Students Activities #2: Creative Poetry Writing

Once students understand the tools poets use, it’s time for them to try writing their own poems. Offering a variety of poetry forms helps every student find an entry point, especially those who feel intimidated by rhyme schemes or traditional structures.

Try these options:

I Am Poems
Great for first-time poets. Prompts like “I am… I wonder… and I feel…” help students reflect and express themselves.

Get the template for free by signing up below!

Acrostic Poems

​Most students have probably encountered acrostics before. They’re a good warm-up poem to get the creative juices flowing!

Haikus and Cinquains

Perfect for teaching structure and syllable count. These short forms are approachable for most students.

(Save yourself the prep by grabbing my Haiku Lesson and Template and my Cinquain Lesson and Template.)

Odes and Limericks

Limericks are great for humor and low-pressure writing. Odes allow for deeper reflection and elevated language.

Check out tips for teaching limericks here and tips for teaching odes over here.

You can also grab a no-prep Limerick Lesson or Ode Lesson from my TPT shop.

Blackout or Found Poetry

Let students create poems by blacking out words from old magazine pages or rearranging existing text. It’s a powerful way to reinforce word choice, imagery, and poetic structure.

​Both are covered in this Blackout and Found Poetry resource.

Free Verse and Pop Sonnets

Free verse lets students write without constraints. For a challenge, ask them to turn a favorite pop song into a Shakespearean sonnet (hilarious and harder than it sounds).

If you want to give your students the opportunity to try a bunch of different poem types, you can make it easy with these Poetry Writing Activities!

Poetry for High School Students Activities #3: Daily Poetry Warm-Ups

Not ready for a full poetry unit? Start small.

Try “Poem of the Week” routines. Each Monday, introduce a new poem—short and sweet. Then ask students to annotate, respond in a journal, or answer a quick analysis question.

Daily or weekly poetry warm-ups help students:

• Build comfort with poetry
• Practice identifying poetic devices
• See a wide range of styles and voices
• Write more often and more confidently

Use this routine during bell ringers or as part of your independent reading time. The Academy of American Poets and Button Poetry are great places to find classroom-friendly poems.

Alternatively, you can check out my Poem of the Week activities here.

Each resource includes a poem with one annotation direction for each day of the week and a presentation for introducing the author and reviewing answers. Each also includes an activity that turns the poem into a mentor text, so students can write their own poem inspired by the Poem of the Week.

Poetry for High School Students Activities #4: Watch Slam Poetry Performances

Want your students to stop rolling their eyes at poetry? Show them some spoken word.

Slam poetry is raw, emotional, and incredibly engaging. For many students, it’s the first time they realize poetry can be powerful—and even cool.

Some slam poems to consider:

• Elizabeth Acevedo’s “Afro-Latina”
• Taylor Mali’s “What Teachers Make”
• Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem
• Performances from Button Poetry on YouTube or Instagram

After watching, have students reflect on the speaker’s message, delivery, repetition, tone, and emotion. Then invite them to write their own slam poem—or even host a classroom poetry slam. (Students can perform an original poem or a poem from a slam poet.)

Group performances are a fun way to build community and boost student confidence.

Poetry for High School Students Activities #5: Author Study on a Famous Poet

Poetry units are a great time to weave in research and presentation skills.

Have students choose a famous poet to study. They can research their background, analyze their style, and present findings to the class.

Some poets to consider:

• Edgar Allan Poe
• Langston Hughes
• Amanda Gorman
• William Wordsworth
• Maya Angelou
• Pablo Neruda
• Sylvia Plath

Students can present slideshows, create one-pagers, or even write a new poem in their poet’s style. This is a great way to connect poetry to history and identity—especially if students choose poets who share their background or experiences.

(Don’t want to put together a whole project? Grab my done-for-you Author Study Project!)

Poetry for High School Students Activities #6: Poetry Games and Review Activities

Don’t forget to end your unit on a high note.

Wrap things up with games, group work, and creative reviews that help reinforce key terms and structure without another worksheet.

Some ideas to try:

• Poetry Bingo (fill in terms like “metaphor,” “iambic,” or “free verse”)
• Acrostic poem reviews (have students create acrostics using poetic terms)
• Rhyme scheme relays (identify ABAB, AABB, etc. as fast as possible)
• Collaborative writing games like “Exquisite Corpse” (students build a poem line-by-line without seeing the full thing)

You can also assign students to create mini poetry anthologies, choose a “poem of the year” from your unit, or write final reflections on what poetry means to them now.

Final Thoughts

Teaching poetry doesn’t have to be intimidating.

With activities like figurative language scavenger hunts, creative writing prompts, slam poetry analysis, and author studies, your students will begin to see poetry as more than just old-fashioned rhymes. They’ll start to see it as personal, powerful, and even fun.

And whether you’re working with middle schoolers or high school seniors, the key is giving students options. Let them read a wide range of voices, experiment with different formats, and express themselves authentically.

Need a head start on your poetry planning? You can check out all of my Creative Writing resources right here!

The post Poetry for High School Students: Activities They’ll Actually Love! appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Blackout poetry is a fantastic way to engage high school students in creative thinking and literary analysis. By turning existing text into new poems, students can explore themes, experiment with language, and even break through writer’s block.

If you’re looking for a resource to make this super easy, check out my Black Out and Found Poetry Lesson! Included are directions for both blackout and found poetry (another great hands-on poem type). 

What Is Blackout Poetry?

Blackout poetry, also known as erasure poetry, is a form of found poetry where poets take an existing text and remove or “black out” words to reveal a new poem. 

The final poem is a derivative work, using the original text as inspiration but creating something entirely unique. Instead of starting with a blank piece of paper, students transform a random page into art.

This is an especially great type of poem for students who are reluctant to write or nervous about attempting poetry. Instead of starting with a blank page they have to fill, students have a fill page they have to cull! It’s less intimidating and gets their minds thinking in a new way.

The history of blackout poetry dates back to the Dada movement, which used random words and newspaper articles to create unexpected meanings.

More recently, Austin Kleon popularized the form with his book Newspaper Blackout. Other well-known blackout poets include Tom Phillips and Caleb Whiteford, who have taken pages of text and turned them into striking visual poetry.

Check them out if you want to find some great examples of blackout poetry to show your students!

Where to Find Text for Blackout Poetry

Blackout poetry is low prep. All you really need is text that students can black out and some black markers or Sharpies.

Because this is a type of found poem, don’t create new texts for this activity. Old pieces of newspaper or books are best. 

This should be a cheap or completely free activity for your classroom. Don’t go buy a bunch of books just for your students to Sharpie!

Finding the right source text is key to a successful blackout poetry lesson. Here are some great options:

• Old books: Discarded novels, textbooks, or dictionaries provide rich material for erasure poems. If your department is getting rid of old textbooks or text sets that are falling apart, volunteer to take them!
• Newspaper articles: Publications like The New York Times offer diverse topics and interesting words for students to explore. I used to take the day-old newspapers from our Social Studies teacher for this. She had papers delivered every day. Students would read them and respond to current events. There were always more newspapers than she knew what to do with.
• Magazines: Glossy pages with short phrases and varied content work well. I used to sign up for some cheap $5 magazine subscriptions around the holidays. Then, I would use these magazines for activities like this.
• Book pages: Copies of entire pages from novels or non-fiction texts allow students to select a random page to start their work. If you really don’t have any old text around, you can make photocopies of good books. Consider making photocopies of your current whole-class read to tie this activity into your other classroom work!

Encourage students to experiment with different texts to see what inspires them. The best thing about blackout poetry is that it works with almost any human document—whether it’s a newspaper, a novel, or a historical text.

Skills Developed Through Blackout Poetry

Incorporating blackout poetry into your high school poetry unit or as an enrichment activity helps students build essential literary skills. Here’s what they’ll gain:

1. Close Reading & Text Analysis

To create a new meaning, students must read carefully, identifying key words and themes within the existing text. They’ll analyze how unused words contribute to the original piece and how their selections create a general theme for their own blackout poetry.

2. Creativity & Word Choice

Students will learn to select the right words to shape a coherent theme of their poem. They’ll also recognize the power of beautiful words and how short phrases can evoke emotion. This lesson will carry over to writing more difficult poems (like the ode) or even analysis essays.

3. Artistic Expression

Beyond writing, blackout poetry is a type of art. Students can use a black Sharpie, black marker, or even black paint to remove words, or they can use colorful markers and their own sketches to enhance the visual appeal. A great display of student work can make your classroom feel more creative.

I always struggled to come up with pleasing bulletin board displays, but blackout poetry makes it easy!

4. Critical Thinking & Interpretation

By working within the constraints of a page of words, students must think critically about developing a cohesive message. This process mirrors professional writers’ block techniques, where limitations spark creativity. 

In short, blackout poetry provides students with a challenge. It’s a puzzle they can AI or cheat their way out of.

Simple Steps to Writing Blackout Poetry

Blackout poetry is pretty simple, but students still need guided steps and directions. If you want a copy of printable directions for students, I include some in my Blackout Poetry Lesson. There’s no easier way to show students how to write blackout poetry!

To guide students through their own poems, have them follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a text: Find an entire book, newspaper article, or random page to use. (You might want to provide some pages for students to use. Otherwise, they could waste all class period on this.)
2. Skim the page: Identify a list of words that stand out. (Recommend students use pencil to box out important words before committing to Sharpie.)
3. Determine a theme: Decide on the theme of your poem before selecting your new words. 
4. Highlight key words: Underline or circle the words you want to keep.
5. Black out the rest: Use a black marker, dark pencil, or even black paint to obscure the rest of the page.
6. Refine and decorate: Add illustrations, borders, or creative designs.

It helps students immensely if they can see some examples of a blackout poem before they attempt one themselves. You can find a ton with a simple Google search, or I include a couple in my Blackout Poetry Lesson.

Bonus: Use Blackout Poetry for National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, making it the perfect time to introduce blackout poetry in your classroom. 

Plus, this activity is very flexible. You could spend one day teaching students how to write blackout poetry or give them an entire week to craft the perfect poem!

You can find more National Poetry Month ideas here!

Final Thoughts

When it comes to fun, hands-on activities, English teachers can’t do much cheaper or more fun than blackout poetry! Showing students how to write blackout poetry only takes a few minutes. Then, they can get to work on their own.

Blackout poetry is a great way to make poetry more approachable, especially for students who struggle with traditional forms.

Whether you’re using it as part of a poetry unit, a way to explore redacted poetry, or simply for the sake of art, your students will love creating their own blackout poems. Plus, sharing their work on a blog post, social media, or a classroom great display will boost their confidence and creativity!

So grab an old book, a writing utensil, and a blank page, and help your students turn a human document into something new. Who knows? You might just inspire the next great blackout poets!

And if you need help getting started, check out my Blackout and Found Poetry Lesson!

The post Teaching High Schoolers How to Write Blackout Poetry appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

I’m here to tell you they do!

Poetry is a powerful art form that allows students to explore language, emotions, and creativity. Whether teaching younger students in the elementary grades or working with older students in high school, poetry writing worksheets can effectively guide students through different types of poems.

From structured formats like the cinquain and haiku to less structured styles like free verse, using a variety of poetry activities can help students develop their own poetry while strengthening their creative writing skills.

In this blog post, I’ll share some of my favorite poem types for introducing poetry, as well as my favorite resources and poetry writing worksheets.

Looking for done-for-you poetry writing worksheets and lessons? Check out these Poetry Writing Activities!

Why Use Poetry Writing Worksheets?

While we English teachers get super jazzed about being able to write poetry, our students often feel differently. In fact, your students might be downright terrified to write poetry!

For a young poet, a blank page could be worse than a pop quiz. 

Our students are trained to write down the “right” answer. That makes poetry, which is so subjective, very, very scary. 

Poetry writing worksheets, however, feel familiar to students. Where the blank page offers plenty of space to fail, the worksheet offers guidance.

Using structured worksheets can help students’ poetry skills and build their confidence. If students aren’t ready to write freely yet, the structure of a worksheet can provide the feeling that they’re doing something correctly. 

Many students struggle to begin writing their own unique poems, but poetry writing worksheets provide a scaffolded approach. Whether students are exploring iambic pentameter or working with rhyme scheme, these resources give them the tools to succeed.

Another advantage is that poetry worksheets cater to different students’ skill levels. 

Younger students in 1st grade or 3rd grade may benefit from simple poem formats like an alphabet poem or a color poem, while high school students might explore figurative language in black out or found poetry.

By providing an extensive collection of resources, teachers can ensure every student finds a form of poetry that resonates with them.

Exploring Different Types of Poetry Through Worksheets

You can use poetry writing worksheets for any poem. In my Poetry Writing Activities, I always provide a lesson, lesson plan, and worksheet or graphic organizer to help students brainstorm and write.

Here are my favorite forms of poetry to teach reluctant writers. Starting with the “I Am” poem–the easiest form–and working through to odes, students will slowly learn more literary terms, build their confidence, and challenge themselves to take on progressively more difficult form structures.

1. “I Am” Poems: Finding Identity Through Poetry

The “I Am” poem is, in my opinion, the easiest poem type and the best to start with for two reasons: they’re about the subjects your students know best (themselves), and the form consists of simply filling in the blanks. With an “I Am” Poem worksheet, your students can write their first poem in just a few minutes!

An “I Am” poem encourages students to reflect on their identity and emotions, making it a perfect place to start for young poets. These poems follow a structured format that helps students express their thoughts creatively. 

In this free lesson, I also introduce students to the terms “lines” and “stanzas” since those words will be essential in any poetry unit going forward.

2. Cinquain Poems: Exploring Poetic Structure

After the “I Am” poem, I recommend moving students on to cinquains. Cinquains are another very short and simple poem form. These five-line poems follow a specific pattern, making them ideal for elementary grades and small groups.

Cinquains are a great way to introduce students to syllable counting and poetic structure. (My Cinquain Lesson and Template cover both of these.)  Poetry writing worksheets for cinquains can include templates where students count syllables and brainstorm interesting words to use in their poems.

Save yourself some time and grab my Cinquain Lesson and Template right here!

3. Haiku: Capturing Moments in Three Lines

No poetry unit is complete without the haiku, right? 

The haiku naturally follows the cinquain. Now that students are comfortable with the syllable, they can write poems that depend on syllable count. These poems follow a 5-7-5 syllable structure and often focus on nature, making them an engaging creative experience. 

A haiku’s third line often provides a twist or deeper meaning, encouraging students to think critically about their word choices. Worksheets for haiku can include brainstorming spaces for sensory details and blank poems for students to write their own poetry.

In my Haiku Lesson and Template, I also offer a poem for students to analyze first. This poem adds some rigor for older students by showing them a longer poem in which every stanza is its own haiku–and then challenging students to write one similar.

Emphasize the connection between haikus and writing about nature by having your students work on their haiku worksheets outside on some clipboards!

4. Limericks: Learning About Rhyme and Humor

Now that your students have built some confidence with poetry, it’s time to add some challenge with the limerick.

Limericks introduce students to a consistent rhyme scheme (AABBA) and a playful, humorous tone. 

Writing worksheets like mine can provide students with examples of famous poets who wrote limericks, then guide them in crafting their own poem with a structured approach. This is a great poetry activity for fostering fun and creativity.

You can jump right into the fun by grabbing my Limerick Poem Lesson and Template right here. Included are a lesson plan, slideshow, example for analysis, and poem writing template.

You can also learn more about teaching the limerick in this blog post.

5. Black Out and Found Poetry: Thinking Outside the Box

Technically, these are two different poem types, but I like to teach them together.

Black out and found poetry encourage out-of-the-box thinking by having students create poems from existing texts. Whether using online articles, famous speeches, or pages from books, students can explore different types of poetry resources.

Worksheets for these forms of poetry can include step-by-step instructions and examples to spark students’ creativity.

My Black Out and Found Poetry Lesson includes a lesson plan, slideshow, and student directions. Since students create poetry from pre-existing text, there’s no writing worksheet to go with them, but having some ready-to-go examples and visible directions are super helpful.

6. Odes: Honoring Everyday Objects

​Saving the best for last, try odes with your students!

Odes are the most complicated poem on this list, but they’re still very accessible for young poets. 

Odes allow students to take the perspective of an inanimate object and celebrate its importance.

These poems often use literary devices like metaphors and similes to enhance their overall impact. Poetry worksheets can provide structure by helping students brainstorm descriptive words and poetic devices before drafting their poem.

In my Ode Writing Lesson and Template, students learn about the poem form and review necessary figurative language terms. Then, they analyze an example ode.

Lastly, they’re challenged to write their own ode while using as many literary devices as possible. This is a great way to have your students combine everything you’ve taught them in one poetry writing worksheet.

You can also learn more about teaching the ode here.

7. Poem of the Week Worksheets: Make Poetry Part of Your Classroom Culture

Want your students not to just write poetry, but to analyze it as well? Consider Poem of the Week activities!

Poem of the Week activities can be used like daily warm-ups or as once-a-week poetry analysis activities.

Students will read a different poem every week–ranging from sonnets to free verse poetry–and analyze the ideas and literary devices used.

Then, at the end of the week, students use these poems as mentor texts for writing their own poems!

You can learn more about using Poem of the Week activities as daily warm-ups here.

Or you can grab done-for-you Poem of the Week worksheets right here.

Incorporating Poetry Writing Worksheets into the Classroom

To make the most of poetry writing worksheets, consider the following strategies:

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different poem format. This encourages collaboration and discussion about the assigned poem’s themes and structure.
• Use digital poetry resources to provide interactive experiences, especially for older students who may enjoy experimenting with multimedia elements.
• Host a poetry slam where students perform their own poetry, enhancing the reader’s experience and students’ appreciation for spoken word poetry.
• Encourage students to create an acrostic poem using their own name or a topic they are passionate about. This is a great way to introduce poetic structure in a fun and engaging way.
• Provide students with plenty of poetry lessons that expose them to different forms of poetry, from diamante poems to epic poems.
• Take the time to teach figurative language and build students’ writer’s toolbox
• Provide tons of opportunities for students to share their work and get feedback from one another

Conclusion

Poetry writing worksheets are a great way to welcome students of all grade levels and abilities to the world of poetry. While you might feel pressure to try some flashier teaching methods, I assure you that the good, old-fashioned poetry writing worksheet is always in style!

If you’re ready to get started writing poetry with your students but need some done-for-you resources to get started, check out my Poetry Writing Activities!

The post How To Use Poetry Writing Worksheets in Your Classroom appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Designing a creative writing curriculum for high school can feel like a daunting task. You want to inspire creativity while teaching essential writing skills, but finding the right balance isn’t always easy. That’s why a well-planned Creative Writing curriculum in high school is essential. 

In this post, I’ll outline the key components of an effective creative writing curriculum for high school, using examples from my own High School Creative Writing Curriculum to help you envision a program an English teacher AND a high schooler can love!

Want to skip the prep? Grab my complete 9-week done-for-you High School Creative Writing Curriculum!

Why Teach Creative Writing in High School?

Creative writing classes provide your high schoolers with the opportunity to express themselves, think critically, and develop a love for writing. In addition to nurturing creativity, these classes teach valuable skills like:

• Analyzing mentor texts
• Applying literary devices
• Drafting, revising, and editing their work

These days, students rarely write for fun. I bet many of your students have never even considered doing so!

Creative Writing shows students that writing doesn’t have to be arduous. They don’t always have to stress about “getting it right.”

Plus, just getting students to write can go a long way in increasing your high schoolers’ writing fluency. Before you know it, they’ll be considering their word choice and adding sensory details to even essay writing!

In this post, I talk about more benefits of teaching a Creative Writing class. 

But, in my opinion, the top reason to teach one? It’s going to be fun for you!

With the right curriculum, your students will gain confidence in their writing abilities while learning to appreciate the art of storytelling.

What Should a High School Creative Writing Curriculum Include?

A successful creative writing curriculum for high school should offer a mix of activities that engage students, teach essential high school writing skills, and guide students through the writing process. 

You can base your Creative Writing units upon anything you wish to focus.

For example, you can have Creative Writing units on different genres (such as memoir writing, science fiction, and children’s books). You could focus on different types of poetry, moving students through new formats. Or you could even break your class into poetry vs. short story. 

As long as you focus on building vocabulary, teaching the writing process, and allowing students to have fun, you’ll have a successful Creative Writing Curriculum!

(Want tips for actually teaching that Creative Writing class? Check out this post!)

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #1: A Plan for the First Day of School

Every good English Language Arts class should start with a bang! Or, maybe just a poem!

If possible, try not to just spend the first day of school reading your Creative Writing syllabus. Your Creative Writing students signed up hoping for something a little different, so give it to them!

One of my favorite ways to begin a Creative Writing class is by having students write an “I Am” Poem. You can grab my free lesson here. It’s a great way to show students that they will be expected to write daily, allow them to get to know the other Creative Writing students, and help them get comfortable showing their work to others. 

Of course, there are many different ways you can start your class. Maybe you have students listen to an amazing slam poet. Perhaps you ask students to define poetry. 

Whatever you do, just make sure it sets the right tone for the rest of the school year. Like a short story, every Creative Writing elective needs a good beginning.

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #2: Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

Begin each class with engaging activities to spark creativity and get students thinking. I recommend choosing a bell ringer that emphasizes the skills you want your Creative Writing students to really focus on. After all, whatever you choose will be the concept that your high school students practice every single day!

In my High School Creative Writing Curriculum, I offer two different kinds of warm-ups: Journal Writing Prompts or Poem of the Week activities. 

Journaling with High Schoolers

Journal prompts are perfect for encouraging free writing. If you want students to just get comfortable writing and getting their ideas on paper, this is the best way to go! You might ask students to “Describe your happiest memory in vivid detail” or “Imagine a world where emotions are traded like currency. Write about a character navigating this system.” 

Plus, if students are journaling every day, they’ll always have a bank of ideas to refer to for bigger projects later.

If, however, you want to spend more time analyzing writing and getting technical, Poem of the Week Activities are phenomenal!

Analyzing Poetry with High Schoolers

They provide an excellent opportunity to analyze a mentor poem, focusing on literary devices like alliteration, metaphor, or personification. Afterward, students can challenge themselves to include these techniques in their own creative work.

With my Poem of the Week Activities, I always encourage students at the end of the week to write their own poem using that week’s poem as a mentor text. It’s a great way to make writing a regular part of your schedule while challenging students to try different techniques. 

This post has more information on using poetry analysis as a daily warm-up.

In addition to helping Creative Writing students hone their skills, starting every class with a regular warm-up is solid classroom management.

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Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #3: Literary Terms Lessons

Throughout your Creative Writing class, your high schoolers should be learning to talk like a writer! Make sure they leave your classroom with all of the jargon of a poet by teaching essential literary terms. 

Consider a Figurative Language Creative Writing Unit

My first Creative Writing unit focuses on figurative language. This gives me time to teach students some basic terms that we’ll be using throughout the rest of the class. (As a bonus, knowing these terms will help any high schooler in their other English Language Arts classes!)

We spend a lot of time talking about sensory details and creating new and different ways to describe sensations.

(This free Figurative Language Tasting Activity is a high schooler favorite! You can learn how to do your own figurative language tasting in this blog post.)

Learning figurative language terms first allows students to begin thinking about the impact of word choice and how to create mood and tone in their writing. Later, when I add in poetry terms or we discuss specific skills, students have a bank of terms to build upon.

Starting with figurative language is also a perfect way for students to warm up to writing, begin practicing different writing skills, and build up their writer’s toolbox. 

I use this Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt to introduce the terms to students. 

Focus on whichever literary terms will best serve your students throughout your Creative Writing course. 

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #4: Skill-Building Workshops and Mini-Lessons for the Writing Process

Every great writer hones their craft through practice and learning. 

Skill-building workshops and mini-lessons are an essential part of any Creative Writing curriculum. These focused lessons provide the foundation for stronger writing. (You can find a list of writing skills I like to cover in this post.)

I’m a fan of the workshop model because it focuses on giving students time to really practice their craft. You give them a short lesson. Then, students spend the rest of the class trying to apply the new concept or skill with independent work.

As students work, you can move freely around the classroom providing feedback and helping writers who are stuck. Sometimes, like in my Writing Dialogue Lesson, I do have students do partner work, but for the most part, independent work is the focus of these workshops.  

(More on teaching with mini-lessons in this post.)

Writing Skills Lessons to Consider

Topics might include using precise and concise language, writing authentic dialogue, or mastering the “show, not tell” technique to add depth to storytelling. Students have to really think about their word choice and focus on sensory details. 

By breaking these writing skills into manageable lessons, students can focus on refining specific aspects of their writing. They can begin to develop their own writing process. 

If you’d like, you can even organize your writing skills lessons into thematic units. 

Maybe you have a poetry unit. In this unit, you’d focus on figurative language, analyze some poems, and then have students write their own. 

Alternatively, you could have a thematic unit around a genre of writing. Maybe students write a science fiction or fantasy short story. 

After my Figurative Language Mini-unit, I have students work on their poetry writing skills. They learn about different types of poetry and write cinquains, haikus, odes, and limericks before we move on to longer works like a short story.

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #5: Creative Writing Projects

Once students have practiced individual skills, it’s time to put them together in a longer piece of writing. Projects allow students to apply the skills they’ve learned in a meaningful way. 

In a high school Creative Writing curriculum, these can take the form of imaginative and structured assignments. Depending on the focus of your Creative Writing Class, you might want students to write poetry, short stories, or both. 

Unless your students are all advanced writers, I recommend creating projects that include lots of scaffolding. 

The Fairy Tale Retelling Project

For example, my Fairy Tale Retelling Project challenges students to reimagine a classic fairy tale with an original twist. This is great for new writers because they don’t have to come up with a brand-new short story from scratch. 

I talk more about the Fairy Tale Retelling Project in this blog post. 

The Author Study Project

Another great idea is an Author Study Project. In this project, students to analyze a favorite author’s style and create writing inspired by their techniques.

I have more information about setting up an Author Study Project in this post.

Depending on the author a student chooses to emulate, you can have them write a short story or a collection of poems. 

Other Project Ideas

One last idea is a Creative Writing unit centered around children’s books. You can have high school students write their own children’s books and maybe even read them to younger children for real-world experience!

These projects not only showcase creativity but also deepen students’ understanding of storytelling techniques.

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #6: Peer-editing Activities

This will probably be your high school students’ least favorite aspect of your Creative Writing curriculum, but make sure you have them read each other’s work. 

In my High School Creative Writing Curriculum, I include detailed daily lesson plans. Most of the lesson plans for writing activities include tips for having students share and edit one another’s work. 

I even suggest having Creative Writing students share a poem they write on day one (this FREE “I Am” Poem Activity). 

You can do formal peer-editing activities, have students hang up their writing and do gallery walks, or even read poems aloud for your students. 

Just make sure you’re spending time fostering students’ confidence in sharing their work. 

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #7: Seasonal and Thematic Writing Activities

I’m a sucker for adding some seasonal fun to my classroom whenever I can. Luckily, when you’re teaching a Creative Writing class, you’re free to get, well, creative!

Tie your curriculum to the calendar with seasonal and thematic writing activities. These assignments keep students engaged and bring fresh inspiration to the classroom. 

In October, students can write spooky 2-sentence horror stories. Meanwhile, December provides the chance to analyze the holiday-themed piece “Nicholas Was…” and craft their own festive narratives. 

You can even try to time teaching the limerick around St. Patrick’s Day!

Seasonal projects bring excitement to the class while honing specific writing skills.

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #8: Assessments and Reflection

Assessments and reflection are critical to helping students grow as writers. 

A well-rounded creative writing curriculum includes tools like a Literary Terms Test to measure understanding of key concepts and peer or teacher feedback sessions during workshops to refine drafts. 

While a test might seem like the most “uncreative” writing assignment you can give, we English teachers know that sometimes a test is necessary. You might be required to give a final exam at the end of your class or you might need a non-writing grade to balance out your gradebook. 

Use those literary terms you’ve been teaching throughout the class to create a final exam test or assessment for your students. 

Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students Feature #9: Flexible Curriculum Planning

Flexibility is key when teaching a creative writing class. A flexible curriculum allows you to adapt lessons and activities to your unique schedule and your students’ needs. 

I can’t tell you how many times I had my weeks planned out, only to discover that students needed more time for brainstorming, writing, and peer-editing. Make sure you always have a backup plan for when the muses are refusing to speak to your students!

My High School Creative Writing Curriculum includes a 9-week suggested calendar, but it can be easily customized to fit your specific requirements. This ensures that you can deliver engaging, student-centered instruction without feeling constrained by a rigid plan.

It’s a complete language arts course designed to teach students essential vocabulary, writing skills, and editing techniques.

Get Started with Your Creative Writing Curriculum

Whether you choose to DIY your Creative Writing Curriculum for High School, or you grab a ready-made class like my High School Creative Writing Curriculum, make sure you’re checking off all the boxes of your students’ needs.

If you’re ready to inspire your students with a dynamic and engaging creative writing program, check out my High School Creative Writing Curriculum. With resources like journal prompts, writing workshops, and seasonal projects, you’ll have everything you need to create a memorable class that will easily become students’ favorite of the school year!

The post The Best Creative Writing Curriculum for High School Students appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Want to skip the lesson planning and get right to it? Grab my done-for-you Show. Don’t Tell Creative Writing Mini-lesson!

How to Teach “Show, Don’t Tell” Step #1: Introduce The Topic

First, gather your kiddos around and repeat the advice you’ve so often heard yourself, “Show. Don’t tell.”

They won’t have a clue what you mean. But keep going. 

Let students know that if the phrase doesn’t make a lot of sense right now, it will by the end of class.

How to Teach “Show, Don’t Tell” Step #2: Compare “Telling Sentences” vs. “Showing Paragraphs”

You’ll have to show your students examples of both showing and telling in writing for them to “get it.”

I use “telling sentence” examples and “showing paragraph” examples. 

Telling sentences give away all of the meaning without making the reader work for it. For example “Betsy was mad” or “The man was old.” They are to the point but don’t paint a picture or create an experience for the reader. 

Showing sentences, on the other hand, force a reader to use clues to determine the meaning. 

Instead of “Betsy was mad,” a showing paragraph might read, “Betsy curled her hands into fists, her arms shaking. She could feel the heat coming off her face as it grew red. It took all of her strength to keep from screaming.”

Does the paragraph say anywhere that Betsy was mad? No. But readers can pick up the meaning from various clues given. 

Plus, the showing paragraph paints a picture in the reader’s mind. It’s a much more engaging read. 

Give your students several examples of “telling sentences” vs. “showing paragraphs.” Remember, when it comes to writing, there’s no such thing as too many examples!

How to Teach “Show, Don’t Tell” Step #3: Have  Students Turn a “Telling Sentence” into a “Showing Paragraph”

Now comes this fun! Give your students a “telling sentence.”

You could do this aloud or make it up on the spot. I like to have students pick a sentence out of a hat and include sentence strips for this purpose in my Show. Don’t Tell Mini-lesson. 

Once students have their telling sentence, challenge them to turn it into a showing paragraph. 

For students who really struggle, you may want to give them a few minutes to brainstorm clues or details they may want to include in their paragraphs before expecting them to just write. You may also want to give some kind of requirement like “at least 3 sentences.”

After students have written their showing paragraphs, invite them to share! 

A fun way for students to share their writing is to hang the showing paragraphs on the wall and have the class try to match the telling sentence with the correct showing paragraph!

How to Teach “Show. Don’t Tell” Step #4: Incorporate “Show, Don’t Tell” Into Longer Writing

Now that students understand the concept of “show, don’t tell,” it’s time to make it a habit. 

Remind students of this advice whenever they write a longer Creative Writing piece. When students peer-edit, making looking for too many “telling sentences” a part of the editing process. Make highlighting boring telling sentences part of your feedback routine. 

The more students have a lack of “showing” pointed out to them and receive that crucial critical feedback, the more they’ll improve their ability to “show” in their writing.

Don’t forget to keep adding to your students’ writing toolbox! Here are some more mini-lessons you NEED to incorporate into your Creative Writing class!

Conclusion

I think “Show, Don’t Tell” is a fun, engaging lesson for all Creative Writing students. It’s the kind of advice that will serve them in your class and out in the real world. 

Be sure to grab my done-for-you Show. Don’t Tell Mini-lesson to bring this lesson to life in your classroom. Inside, you’ll get a slideshow, student worksheets, telling sentence strips, and more!

The post How to Teach “Show, Don’t Tell” to Your Creative Writing Students appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.

Looking for a done-for-you dialogue writing lesson? This one includes a slideshow, a worksheet for practicing punctuation, and an activity for writing a conversation. 

Teach Dialogue Writing Tip #1: Explain the Importance of Dialogue

Every student knows that a story needs dialogue. But they might not understand why a story needs it. 

Discuss with your students the difference between a scene with and without dialogue. Which is more fun to read? Which provides more characterization? 

This doesn’t have to be a long conversation–or you can have it while you complete tip #2 below–but it will help create some student buy-in. 

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Teach Dialogue Writing Tip #2: Provide Lots of Examples

As you try to show students the importance of dialogue in a story, showing them examples will help tremendously. 

Find some great examples of dialogue and show them to students. Point out how characters’ personalities shine through their speech. Also note how boring or tedious the same scene would be without dialogue. 

It’s also helpful to show students some examples of bad dialogue. (Keeping old student work might be helpful here!). Let students tell you why these examples don’t feel as exciting or interesting as the good examples. 

Keep referring back to these examples as you move on to the next tip. 

Teach Dialogue Writing Tip #3: Go Over Conventions

It might be tempting, especially in a Creative Writing class, to encourage students to write fun or edgy dialogue and leave the mechanics for later. 

Don’t.

Bad dialogue that is grammatically correct is at least tolerable. Bad dialogue with poor mechanics is unreadable. 

Unlike the nuance of crafty dialogue, punctuation for speech can be taught in a day, so don’t skip it. Plus, this is one of those Creative Writing skills that help your students in other classes and areas of life. So don’t shortchange them. 

It’s not much fun, but be sure to go over the mechanics of writing quotes. This will help them quote and cite information in essays and better format everyday writing. 

Plus, when you actually have to grade those short stories, it will make your life easier too. 

Teach Dialogue Writing Tip #4: Give Students Tips for “Snappy” Dialogue

Crafting impeccable dialogue will take time and lots of practice. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help guide your students somewhat. 

Give them some ground rules for writing dialogue that moves the story forward. For example, let them know that they can skip the small talk. Rarely is there a reason in a short story to spend half a page letting two characters say hello and talk about the weather. 

Instead, challenge your students to always have a reason for their dialogue. Will this conversation help the plot move forward? Does it give the reader crucial information about the characters?

If they’ve already started working on a story, you can have them peruse their writing thus far. Are there any conversations that could be shortened or cut without affecting the story? Alternatively, are there any scenes that could be enhanced with some dialogue?

Teach Dialogue Writing Tips #5: Give Students Structured Practice

Finally, once students seem to understand the importance of strong dialogue and how to punctuate it, let them practice. 

There’s nothing wrong with giving students a worksheet to let them practice or review the mechanics of punctuation. Even if you’re teaching a Creative Writing class that’s supposed to be “fun.”

But also make sure to give students time to practice writing a conversation separate from any ongoing projects they might have. You could pair students up and have each write half of the conversation between two characters. 

In my Dialogue Mini-Lesson, I have students choose three strips of paper. One has two characters on it. The second has the topic of their conversation, and the third lists the activity they’re doing while talking. 

Students must then craft the dialogue between the characters. This lets students practice managing conversation and the movement of a scene in a low-stakes situation. (This scene won’t end up in a final story for class–unless they want it to!)

However you have students practice writing dialogue, make it structured. If you don’t give students a topic, characters, or boundaries, they’ll spend more time brainstorming than writing. 

Conclusion

Dialogue is an essential part of Creative Writing, and it can be fun to teach! It’s also a skill that can improve both a students’ creative and academic writing. 

Take a day or two to really focus on this essential skill, and watch the improvement in your students’ writing!

If you’d like a lesson and activity that’s already created for you, check out my Dialogue Mini-lesson!

The post Teach Dialogue Writing: 5 Simple Tips for a Fun Lesson appeared first on It's Lit Teaching.