April is National Poetry Month, so I wrote you a limerick!
Poetry Month is here alas!
We can share all the poems we hold dear.
We all have a voice,
Brooks and Plath would rejoice,
Our expression rings out loud and clear!
Reactions to poetry are varied. Some people find great joy in the creation and sharing of poems. Others don’t embrace it as fully. This month is a perfect time for teachers to introduce poetry to one another and to their students. I encourage you, whoever you are and whatever role you play, to embrace poetry. Poetry’s where it’s at! They can take on a variety of styles and voice; you don’t have to stick with just Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman to get excited about poetry.
Also, as so many teachers and kiddos are at home right now during the coronavirus, having time in your children’s schedule to do some creative poetry-making will show them how fun poetry really is.
Below, please note the variety of poem styles and topics available to share with your students or your own children:
| About dogs | Written in a silly way |
| By dogs | Poems using just 6 words |
| By cats | Poems especially for children |
| About cats | Song lyrics directly tied to poetry |
| Written by kids | Poems with animations (h/t Billy Collins) |
If that’s not enough to whet the palate, there are some fantastic resources especially for teachers and poetry fans all over the world. Our two favorites are:
- The Poetry Foundation, allows you to search for the perfect poem (they located 13 poems about hedgehogs!), sign up for a Poem of the Day, and find poetry by school, poet, and age-appropriateness. This site has so much information, just waiting for you!
- Academy of American Poets’ Poets.org/National Poetry Month. Here you can find all the official swag and support to celebrate this esteemed month, including the lovely Poem In Your Pocket Day to spread your poem far and wide.
Staying in with your children to keep yourself and others healthy? All the above resources are great for working with poetry at home. Plus:
- Scholastic has a guide to playing with poetry side by side with your children, using the philosophy, “Children are born poets; they just need your help to know it.”
- Continue the literary art of poetry at home with activities from Noodle.com
- The Poetry Foundation’s Children section offers tons of articles and videos: all focused on helping children learn about and love poetry.
Soon, your celebration of poetry will inspire, delight, and ignite the inspiration that poetry can bring.
It’s always exciting
To see a month dedicated
To great poetry
