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Home › Classroom Resources › Calendar Activities
April 01
April is National Poetry Month!
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| Grades | K – 12 |
| Calendar Activity Type | Holiday & School Celebration |
Each year the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft. Various events are held throughout the month by the Academy of American Poets and other poetry organizations.
In honor of National Poetry Month, introduce your students to a variety of poetic forms. Assign one or two students each day as "poet of the day" for the month of April. Then provide students with several models for creating different forms of poetry. You might use Theme Poems, Acrostic Poems, Diamante Poems, or Instant Poetry Forms to do this.
Have each student select one form of poetry and write an original poem, which he or she can also illustrate. On their assigned days, have students read their poetry out loud to the class.
- National Poetry Month
This website from the Academy of American Poets includes information on the history of National Poetry Month. Find out what happens during National Poetry Month on the frequently asked questions page.
- Word Mover
In this interactive tool from ReadWriteThink, students can move individual words to create original poems.
- Writing With Writers: Poetry
Scholastic offers this poetry resource for grades 1–8. There are tips from authors of children's poetry, a teacher's guide, step-by-step workshops, and more.
- Favorite Poem Project
The Favorite Poem Project, cosponsored by Boston College and the Library of Congress, is dedicated to celebrating, documenting, and encouraging poetry's role in Americans' lives. Watch or listen to citizens read poems they love.
| Lesson Plans | Student Interactives | Other Calendar Activities | Professional Development | Parent & Afterschool Resources |
Activities & Projects
Grades 3 – 5 | Activity & Project
Use shape and theme poems, or poems that look like the things they describe, as a fun way to introduce children to poetry.
Grades K – 2 | Activity & Project
Add Seasons to Rhyming Poems and Songs
Choose favorite rhyming songs or nursery rhymes then replace the rhyming words with seasonal themes.
Grades 5 – 8 | Activity & Project
Learn about diamante poems, and then consider the idea of cause and effect before working it into the diamante poem format.
Grades 6 – 8 | Activity & Project
Finding Poetry in Pleasure Reading
After reading a book or magazine, children and teens can choose a section and transform it into what’s known as a “found poem.”
Tips & How-To's
Grades K – 6 | Tip & How-To
Encourage creativity and word play by helping a child recognize the elements of a poem and explore different ways of writing one.
Printouts
Grades 3 – 8 | Printout | Writing It Out
Children can make their own magnetic poetry set. Watch as the refrigerator becomes a space for literary art.
Grades 6 – 8 | Printout | Word Play
This printout will help a child learn how to take an ordinary text and turn it into a poetic masterpiece!
Podcast Episodes
Grades 6 – 12 | Podcast Episode
In honor of National Poetry Month in April, tune in for recommendations of a variety of poetry books for teens.
Grades K – 5 | Podcast Episode
In this episode, Emily and guest Sylvia Vardell explore fun ways to read poetry with children.
