Haiku Activity

SSAT Middle Level Vocabulary #1

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Haikus shrink our words

And expand our beating hearts

Thump. Thump. Have fun too!

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Welcome to the Haiku activity! This advanced form of vocabulary practice can help with mastering words that may appear on the SSAT Middle Level, or in life in general!

Haikus are a beautiful form of poetry that originated in Japan. They usually focus on nature, but can have other subjects as well. With Haikus there is no need to rhyme. Their unique format on its own can create enough charm to win over an audience.

Here are the rules:

Pick a word from the examples that come after this intro. Write a Haiku in the comments that uses the word properly. The Haiku format is like this:

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

Here is an example Haiku with separated syllables to get you started:

Five syll-a-bles first

Now are se-ven to play with

Sor-ry back to five

If you get stuck, look at the rest of the haikus below or contact us. Remember, we love teaching and tutoring so we always try to be available for a student in need.

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Below are 10 SSAT vocab words and the example Haikus that use them:

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Abandon – to stop supporting or looking after someone or something

I felt abandoned

My parents left me alone

Then I went to school

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Abbreviation – a shortened way of writing a word or group of words

My name is Tommy

Most people abbreviate

My friends call me Tom

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Abhor – to feel disgust and hatred toward someone or thing

Tuna smells so bad

I totally abhor it

One whiff makes me gag

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Abrupt – A sudden and unexpected change

Some Haikus can be

abrupt. Especially when

you bend all the rules.

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Abyss – A deep pit that seems bottomless

Careful near the edge

The abyss is very deep

Oh no! I slipped! Ah!

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You made it half way to the end! Here is a famous Haiku by Matsuo Bashō called “The Old Pond” to inspire you! He is considered one of the four great masters of Haiku.

An old silent pond

A frog jumps into the pond–

Splash! Silence again.

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Accord – 1. give or pass on power, status or recognition to another person or

2. to be in agreement with something

She accorded me

As her prince to serve the realm

Our hearts in accord

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Acknowledge – accept or admit something

Me acknowledge him?

Not until my dying day

Would I with him play

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Adamant – being stubborn or unwilling to change one’s mind

This is my wedding

Everything must be perfect

I am adamant!

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Adapt – able to change and deal with new situations

Be the dragon fly

Move front and back. Side to side

Adapt to the wind

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Adept – Very good or skilled at something

37 years

Have gone into my training

Adept say you? Ha!

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Time to post in the comments below!

Now It is your turn

Post a fun Haiku below

Here is the format:

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

Include at least one of these words in your Haiku:

abandon, abbreviation, abhor, abrupt, abyss, accord, acknowledge, adamant, adapt, adept