Laughing At Limericks

Limericks are a type of nonsense poetry that are meant to be silly and very funny. The have five lines and a very specific rhythm and beat.

Legend has it that they originate from Ireland which is why we often hear them around St. Patrick’s Day.

Read the limericks below and listen to the rhythm and beat.

What’s the Rhythm?

Limericks have a certain rhyme scheme or pattern.

What do you notice as you read the limericks out loud? Can you figure out the rhyme scheme from the two examples above?

Which lines have end words that rhyme?

______________ & ______________

What is the rhyme scheme?

______________________

There once was a man from Beijing . All his life he hoped to be King .

So he put on a crown, Which quickly fell down.

That crazy silly man from Beijing.

© 2010—Addie Williams

Hickory Dickory Dock The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one And down he run

Hickory Dickory Dock.

© Addie Williams—2010

Limerick Writing

Template A

There once was a ______________ called __________________.

All the while s/he hoped _______________________________.

So s/he ___________________________________.

And ______________________________________.

That ___________________ from ___________________.

Template B

I once met a _________________ from ___________________.

Every day s/he _______________________________________.

But whenever s/he ______________________.

The _________________________________.

That strange ___________________ from _________________.

Template C

Introduce a person or place (think of a name / word that rhymes easily)

Describe a unique characteristic of the person.

Describe their activities or problem on the third line

Continue to describe their activities or problem on the fourth line

Wrap it up with a funny punch line!

Laugh At Your Own Limerick!

Write two silly limericks of your own using the templates above. Or create your own style keeping the same beat and rhyme scheme.

Your poems must have…

a title (“My Limerick” is not a good title)

the correct limerick rhyme scheme and rhythm (a, a, b, b, a)

correct spelling

a funny punch line / a sense of humor

Laughing At Limericks Name:________________

__________________________________

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© 2010—Addie Williams

Laugh At Your Own Limerick! Write your own limerick or limericks in the four leaf clover below. Cut out the clover

and use it to decorate a bulletin board or classroom display.

© 2010—Addie Williams

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~ Addie