Blogging From A to Z Challenge: H is for Haiku

Hi! Today's Thursday, in case you're losing track of the days, like me.

As you've probably figured out, I'm participating in the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme this year is 26 Super Fun Learning Activities You Can Do From Home. That's right, I'm conjuring up 26 "educational" ideas to keep you busy while you're safe at home. But don't get too hung up on the word "educational"—so far, they've all be fun activities. Right?

Last Wednesday, I kicked off the challenge with Art for the letter A. On Thursday, B was for Baking. My sister and I did some chemistry on Friday, and I rounded off the week with a family dance off. On Monday, we did some exercise (which was way more fun than you think) Tuesday was all about family and yesterday, we talked about gardening.

Here we go for the letter "H."

H is for Haiku

Not only is April host to the Blogging From A to Z Challenge, but it's also poetry month—and if I was in school right now, we'd be learning about all of the different kinds of poetry. I'm not great at all of them, but they can be fun to try.

And if you've read the Superman Duffy educational graphic novel 5-7-5 ERRAND BOY, you already know about my favourite kind of poem—the haiku. What's that?

A haiku is a very short poem—three lines—that doesn't rhyme. The entire poem is 17 syllables—five in the first line, seven in the second, and five again in the third. (That's where the title for the book comes from, too—get it?)

Haikus traditionally describe nature, but in 5-7-5 ERRAND BOY, Chase's entire day is filled with haikus, starting with a list of errands from his mom...on his birthday! The book is also about canola and biotechnology—there's a lot to learn if you have the time (which, of course, you do). You can download it free from the Alberta Canola Producers' Commission website.

You can learn more about how to write a haiku in this short video.

I think today I'll try a haiku about being safe at home during this pandemic. What will you write about?

Gotta jet! "I" will see you tomorrow.

~ Chase Superman Duffy