A flea and a fly in a flue
Were imprisoned, so what could they do?
Said the fly, "let us flee!"
"Let us fly!" said the flea.
So they flew through a flaw in the flue.
- Ogden Nash
A limerick is a humorous poem first documented in 1898. It has a very specific format. To qualify as a true limerick, it must have five lines. The first, second and fifth line all rhyme with each other. And they have three feet with three syllables each. The third and fourth lines also rhyme with each other and have two feet and three syllables.
Teaching Limericks
Limericks are a great addition to any poetry unit. They're fun for children to learn, recite and to write. And while many limericks are naughty by nature, there are plenty of opportunities for clean and child friendly limericks too.
Teacher Planet actually offers access to many of these classroom friendly limericks. You can use their lesson plans, worksheets and additional limerick resources to teach this fun poetry form to your young students. Have fun with this unit and enjoy the poems your children create.
