RIC-0205 Discovering Poetry

A compound word is formed when two separate smaller words are joined (e.g. sunhat,
sunshade). Prefix is the term given to the part that comes first and suffix is the term
for the second part of the compound word. In the examples given, ‘sun’ is a prefix,
and ‘hat’ and ‘shade’ are used as suffixes. There are many compound words in
English. Some begin with – rain, hand, hair. You can use a dictionary to find others.
(a) Select one prefix, and write it in the centre shape below. Try to find suffixes that
go with it to make compound words and write one in each of the outer circles.
(b) Use the compound words you have created to write a verse with an abcb
rhyme (as in verses 4 and 6 in Sun, Sea and Sand.)
Choose one of your compound words
and write an acrostic poem. Write your
word vertically so that each letter
provides the starting letter for the line
of the poem.
For example,
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a
b
c
b
S ummer play on the endless sand
U naware of the sizzling rays
N o sunblock or hat for me
B eautiful weather, sparkling sea
U nder a sunshade, my mum calls
R un away to the dunes with sisters
N ever a thought for pain and blisters
R.I.C. Publications www.ricgroup.com.au 56 Discovering Poetry
ISBN 978-1-86311-834-7