Poetry Slam
Photo: Tania Wilkinson
What is it?
A fun way to learn about some different types of poetry and to get creative and make your own poem about a species of your choice.
Who can take part?
Anyone! From learners in the Waikato to those overseas. From pre-schoolers to college students. You could enter individually, as a group or as a whole class.
Why have a Poetry Slam?
So many reasons! From locking in some fabulous memories after a visit to the maunga to a way of capturing some research you've done prior to a visit. From expressing yourself creatively to sharing some important conservation based messages in a slightly different and engaging way.
How do I take part?
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3...
1) Look at the examples of poems on this page and choose a form of poetry (or just write in your own style, there are no rules).
2) Create your poem about a species of your choice. Your poem could be...
-typed
-handwritten
-made into a piece of art
-recorded on video while you read it out or perform it
3) Then share your poem (via your teachers) to education@maungatrust.org.
Photo: Nathan Wakley
Photo: Geoff Shepherd
Limerick:
A five line poem where the first, second and last lines rhyme. The third and fourth lines also rhyme and are shorter than the other three...
The kaka was nothing but a well camoflaged lump in the tree
Then suddenly they seemed to notice my friends and me
One swooped right over my head
And I saw it's feathers: orange and red
It was the most amazing thing you could hope to see
Kenning:
A super fun type of poem where each line has two words: a noun and a verb. You can make these poems into a 'guess who' type activity. Which bird am I talking about here? (big clue to the right)...
Song singer
Kowhai eater
Wing flapper
Other-bird chaser
Light reflector
Poi wobbler
Branch hopper
Attention seeker
Photo: Maddox Photography
Haiku:
A Japanese form of poetry usually focused on nature (perfect for us!) The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven and the last line has five. Add another two lines with seven syllables each on the end and you have a tanka; another type of Japanese poem...
Piercing canopies
Bellbirds sampling their nectar
Red in November
Clerihew:
A four line poem where the first two lines and the last two lines rhyme. The subject of the poem is usually the last word of the first line so pick your subject carefully...
I saw a giant weta
With an ovipositor to lay their eggs better
For this reason I knew it was a female
And I returned to my whanau to tell them the great tale
Photo: Lucy Schultz
Photo: Maddox Photography
Snowball:
This is a tricky one! Each line of your poem needs to be one word longer than the last (so it grows like a snowball rolling down hill). Want an extra challenge? Instead of each line being one word longer, try each line being one LETTER longer...
Wow!
A bird
It is tiny
Maybe its a riroriro
It's beak is so pointy
That must be to get bugs
It's red eye makes it look tough
But its song is so beautiful (and loud!)