“There’s nothing new under the sun!” True, but students can be inspired by the old to do something new for themselves. Sounds weird, but that’s exactly what can occur when we invite students to pattern the writing they read.  Students soon learn that close reading, analysis and imitation unleash bursts of creativity that lead to skillful writing that fulfills their desire to express themselves with confidence and competence.

Check out these patterns:  Pantoum, Narrative Poem, Lazy Sonnet, and,  Grammar

Here’s a lazy sonnet that’s fun, written by Justin, a 9th grader from San Diego.

Will
Romeo
and
Juliet
make
it
out
of
the
tomb?

No
way
José!