Write an Acrostic about Nature

Compose a Poem about the Outdoors

Feb 24, 2009 Susan Caplan

Take a walk and let your observations of nature inspire you to compose a simple poem. Write an acrostic to remember a special time at the beach or a day in the woods.

An acrostic is a simple poem that can take just a few moments to write. You can write an acrostic on your own or work together with friends. Although you can write this poem on any topic anywhere, it is fun to go outside and let nature inspire you.

Keep a notebook and a pen or mechanical pencil in your backpack or pocket. A small memo notebook, either 5”x7” or 6”x8” is easy to carry. A mechanical pencil’s point stays sharp so you don’t need to worry about carrying a pencil sharpener.

Take a Walk

Although you could write an acrostic about school or your pet, you also could find something new to inspire you to write. The weather and the seasons are always causing nature to change, so there will be many things to notice outdoors.

Go on a walk with your family through a local forest, explore a nearby pond, wander through your neighborhood, or even walk around your own backyard. Do you notice something different, something that has changed? This could be something big, a fallen tree, or something small, a puddle dusted with spring pollen.

Make Some Observations

If you can, stop at a spot that offers an interesting view that you’d like to write about in a poem. If no one else wants to stop, you may need to remember what you’d like to write about and wait until everyone takes a break. If you see something interesting, an oak tree that has upturned in a storm to reveal the normally hidden roots, ask to stop and explore.

Quietly observe for one minute the flower, tree, stonewall, pond, etc. that will be your poem’s topic. Notice the colors and textures. If you can, run your hand over your subject; sniff it; listen to the sounds it makes (if it makes sound).

Write Your Acrostic

Bring out your notebook and pen and write the word(s) describing your topic so the letters run down the page, one letter on each line. Then, think of a word or phrase that starts with each of the letters of the word you just listed. Try to use words that best describe the subject of your poem.

Examples of Acrostics

Tippy Tree

Torn from the ground

Insects crawl over you

Poor tree

People can see

Your roots

Tumbled

Rocks

Expelled from underground

Explore the sun

Acorn

A favorite of squirrels

Chestnut brown

Oak tree to be

Ready to grow

Nutty

Breeze

Blowing

Rippling

Easy

Energizing

Zephyr

Everlasting

If you have a camera, take a picture of the location or object in your poem so, at home, you can pair the photograph with the acrostic. Frame the picture and the poem, or add them to a page in your scrapbook. Your acrostic can be a memory of a special place, show the changing of the seasons, or describe something interesting that you saw and want to remember later.

The copyright of the article Write an Acrostic about Nature in Kids Activities is owned by Susan Caplan. Permission to republish Write an Acrostic about Nature in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Tree Knocked Over in a Storm