Writing Kenning Poems

Kennings

Kennings are mini descriptions of things, using two nouns together to make a compound phrase. These usually present the subject in a particular light, or highlight one of its aspects or characteristics. They have been described as condensed metaphors. The two-word term often depicts or alludes to some activity that the thing - whatever it be - does.

Examples

postman (post man = man who delivers the post)
woodpecker (a thing - bird, in fact - that pecks the bark of trees)
train spotter (someone who watches trains)
music maker (someone who plays an instrument)
people carrier (a brand of car that accommodates several passengers) 
star gazer (someone who studies the stars)
skyscraper (building that seems to touch the sky, i.e. very tall building)

Kennings for the classroom

My current theme is creepy-crawlies so let's see how we can apply kennings to them.
If you're a teacher, how about some fun with creepy-crawly kennings for your class?

Warm-up prompts and questions 

First, discuss with children the different appearances, habits and movements of various insects and other mini-beasts. Focus in on characters or personalities they may seem to possess. For example, a butterfly might seem dreamy or gentle; a slug, lazy, a ladybird, humble or shy. Ask: what do the different creatures do? How do they find their food, get around, keep safe?

Now ask some crazy questions, like these, perhaps. If they were human beings, who might they be? Prompt for story and cartoon characters, people in different careers or roles, famous or historical figures. What would they be like and what would they do?

Kenning time

Nominate a creepy-crawly and help children think of ways to describe it in two words, both of them nouns. These could be accurate depictions, or exaggerated or fantasy ones.

Let's try the butterfly. Think what it does. It sails through the sky. Okay, so it's a sky-sailer, perhaps.

Here are some other examples of butterfly kennings:

garden-adorner
summer-heralder
mood-brightener
flower-lover

Here are some for a spider:

web-weaver
prey-trapper
shadow-lover
wall-climber
shock-giver

When children have jotted down and read out a few, ask them to extend their phrases with embellishments.

Poem time

Now let children make up a poem about any such creature, incorporating some kennings of their own, simple or embellished.

Meaning and origins

They might like to look up the word and discover its ancient origin and links with the word 'know' and its older version 'ken'.

More poetry-enriching ideas to come soon.

Kate