Nature has a natural calming power. For this activity we are going to be combining two ideas together - nature and poetry. These two ideas together can create an experience of reflection, relaxation, and creativity. So let's breathe in the flowers and take some time to be still in the present moment.

I want to give you a quick overview of what this activity is will include. To start, there are a few videos below to introduce these ideas we are going to blend together - nature and poetry. Next I provided some information about rhymes and rhyming schemes. Then, we are going to go outside and engage our natural world using our creative energies. We will wrap up with a brief quiz, and, lastly, there will be a very special opportunity at the end.

Let's get started!

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One Cool Opportunity

I hope you found these ideas intriguing and exciting! Before we start blending, let's become more acquainted with some basic concepts of poetry.

Below are two brief videos and some information focusing on simple rhymes and rhyme schemes in poetry. This information is going to help guide and prepare you for the creative activity to come. There are also some examples that you can use as a reference for the creative portion.

A Quick Summary

• Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of a word. You, as a poet, can use rhyme to emphasize certain ideas, draw connections between different parts of your poem, or influence your readers' emotions and reactions.

• End rhymes come at the ends of two (or more) lines of poetry, and internal rhymes happen in a single line.

• Near rhyme uses sounds which are similar, but not exactly the same.

• Rhyming scheme is the pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line of a poem. You can plan or identify the rhyme scheme of your poem by marking words at the end of each line with a letter to designate them as members of a rhyming group of words. Two types of rhyming schemes are rhyming couplets (when two rhyming lines appear in a pair, or several pairs, one after the other,) and free verse (when the lines are of different lengths, there is no predictable beat, or rhyme scheme is not defined.)

Limerick Poetry

There are SO many forms of poetry - too many for this quick activity. To narrow things down, let's focus on one particular style I think you will be familiar with: limericks. One of the most famous limericks also ends up being one of the first introduced in America:

• There once was a man from Nantucket (A)
  Who kept all his cash in a bucket. (A)
  But his daughter, named Nan, (B)
  Ran away with a man (B)
  And as for the bucket, Nantucket (A)

You get the picture! There are a few things you need to remember about Limericks:

• They are five lines long.

• They have a rhyme scheme of AABBA (see above)

• The "A" lines usually use eight or nine syllables, whereas the "B" lines usually have five or six, but this "rule" isn't written in stone.

• Most poets keep the "A" lines of their limericks all about the same length.

• They stick to a different, shorter length in their "B" lines.

• Limericks have a long-standing tradition of being funny. Indulge your sense of humor!

Take a look below at a nature-based limerick written by Fred Hornaday.

Outdoor Adventure Challenge

It is time to get outside!

Before we start let's put the ideas of "Forest or Nature Bathing" and poetry in the blender. The result will be your very own reflective piece of poetry, in the form of a limerick, that hopefully is inspired (but not limited by) nature. Make sure to find a quiet location, free of distractions for you to sit down and relax. I suggest taking time to sit in nature silently listening and observing for a minimum of two minutes (feel free to go longer). Once you are feeling inspired, start constructing your poem. Be sure to reflect on all of your senses (not including taste please), and incorporate some of the feelings or emotions that you are experiencing when you are out in nature. Here's what to do:

• Grab a pencil, the poem worksheet (below), a clipboard or something to write on.

• Don't forget to dress for the weather!

• Print out, if possible the Simple Rhyme Poem worksheet (below). If not, click the document to get the full view and take a picture of it with your phone or iPod/iPad. If you do not have an opportunity to use those resources, grab a blank piece of paper and transfer the information onto that sheet.

• Take your materials outside and find somewhere quiet away from others to reflect and write.

• Find a seat comfortably to sit for 2 minutes at a minimum. I encourage you sit for longer!

• What to write about? Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, texture, as well as your general feelings and emotions during your time outside to help inspire your poem.

• At the bottom of the page, take notes of all of the thoughts that come to mind to help you organize and produce ideas.

• The result will be your very own reflective piece of poetry, in the form of a limerick, that hopefully is inspired (but not limited by) nature.

• If you finish and decide that you would like to write another please feel free to!

• When you are done, come back so we can do the Reflection and Quick Quiz below.

• HAVE FUN!

Haikus are easy

But sometimes they don't make sense

Refrigerator

Quick Quiz

Welcome back! I hope you had a great experience spending time outside, taking this opportunity to reflect and connect. It is now time to turn your attention to the brief quiz portion of this activity. Feel free to spend some time reviewing and re watching any of the videos to prepare. You are going to do great!

Review and Reflection

Excellent job! I hope you had fun being creative and taking the time to connect with nature. This is the MOST important thing you should do now - share your poems and experience out in nature with someone! Tell them about the sounds you heard, the smells you experienced, the sights you saw, as well as what feelings or emotions you felt while taking the time to reflect and write. Spending time outside, and making time to reflect is definitely key to a positive and healthy life.

About the Author

Branch*

*The Nuhop Outdoor Education Staff use "nature names" when working with students. The reason for these nature names is twofold: first it gives them a built-in conversation starter with students, and second, it provides them a level of personal privacy when working with over 4000 students in a given year.