How to Celebrate National Poetry Month in the Classroom
Springtime in the classroom means Easter, warmer recesses and antsy students who can't wait until spring break. Yet spring is also the season for poetry, as April is National Poetry Month. Teaching students how to read, write and interpret poetry will encourage greater reading comprehension, grammar and creative-writing skills. Consider using the ideas below to celebrate National Poetry Month in your classroom with your students. It just might be the perfect remedy for that spring fever your students are suffering from.
Things You'll Need
- Poetry anthologies
- Writing implements
- Art materials
- Book-binding supplies
- Butcher paper
- Smart board
Instructions
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Read poems, of course! Saturate your classroom with poetry. Write it on the wall (you can buy posters emblazoned with poems, or write them yourself on large sheets of butcher paper). Stock your classroom library with books of poetry checked out from your local library. Read poetry aloud to your students. Discuss with them how poems make you feel, and how poems differ from stories.
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Learn about poets. Two popular children's poets are Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Silverstein has a wonderful interactive website that you can explore with your students, either in a computer lab or by projecting your computer onto a TV--or, better yet, a Smart Board. Jack Prelutsky also has a terrific website. Both sites feature special kids' areas, and also contain information about the poet and ideas for teachers and parents. (Follow the links in Resources.)
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Write poetry. For beginners, the best way to write poetry is together as a class. Choose a poem form (you can find a list of popular ones in Resources) and work together to compose a poem. Write it on the board or, better yet, a large sheet of butcher paper. Then display it in your classroom.
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Create poetry books. Once the students have the hang of writing poetry, combine their best poems into individual anthologies. If you have a parent volunteer, ask her to type up the poems. For example, each student may have written a haiku, a simile poem, a name poem and maybe a piece of free verse over the course of 2 weeks. Once the volunteer has typed up all of the poems, pass them back to the students. Have them illustrate their poems, then bind them into a book.
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Host a poetry slam. Invite the parents, another class or even your administrator to your classroom. Have each student read aloud from her book of poetry in front of the classroom, with great drama and expression. To make the event extra special, provide snacks for the students and their guests.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to check each child's poem before he reads it aloud ... just in case!
If you are going to publish any student poetry on a classroom website, get the parents' permission first.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.madison.k12.wi.us
