Small Moments in Haiku
A drop of water clings to the tip of a leaf. For a moment, it catches the light. Then it falls. A tiny event like this can become a haiku, a short poem that invites readers to notice the world closely.
Haiku began in Japan. It grew from the opening verse of a longer kind of poem written by several poets together. Over time, poets also began writing these opening verses as poems that could stand on their own.
Traditional Japanese haiku often include a clue about the season, such as snow, blossoms, or a summer insect. They may also place two images or ideas near each other, allowing readers to sense a connection. Here is one example:
On a green leaf
a droplet holds the morning light—
then slips away.
The leaf and the droplet create a close-up scene. The falling drop also shows how quickly a small moment can change.
Japanese haiku traditionally have a pattern of 5, 7, and 5 sound units. These units are not quite the same as English syllables, which are the beats we hear in words. Because the languages count sounds differently, an English haiku does not have to follow an exact 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
- clings:
- Holds on tightly to something.
- verse:
- A group of lines in a poem.
- clue:
- A detail that helps someone figure something out.
- connection:
- A link between things or ideas.
- traditionally:
- In a way that has been followed over a long time.
- pattern:
- An arrangement that follows a repeated or expected order.
- vivid:
- Clear and easy to picture.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main idea of the passage? Give one detail that supports it.
- 2How did haiku develop from a longer kind of poem?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for 4th Grade
“Small Moments in Haiku” is a explanatory article reading passage about Haiku poetry, written for 4th Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (265 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.