Celebrating National Poetry Month
(Image by Esther Merbt from Pixabay)
April is National Poetry Month. Celebrate by reading and/or writing 30 poems in 30 days or trying the activities suggested below. You can also visit your local library for resources, ideas, and programs.
All Ages
Pre-K and K:
(Most preschoolers have already been exposed to nursery rhymes since they are such a classic part of childhood. They help children develop the pre-reading skill of phonemic awareness (the ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds in words) because they are full of rhyme, rhythm, sounds, and syllables.)
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ABC Poem: Write an ABC Poem. Pick a general topic such as animals and write a word that begins with each letter in the alphabet, starting with A and moving in alphabetical order all the way to Z.
1st and 2nd:
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Senses Poem: Write a Senses Poem. Review the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste). Pick a topic and brainstorm how each of the five senses describes your topic. For example:
Spring
Looks like green grass and colorful flowers
Sounds like birds chirping
Smells like freshly cut grass
Feels like a warm breeze
Tastes like lemonade and jelly beans
3rd and Up:
Sometimes poetry is overlooked in favor of other forms of literature. Take advantage of National Poetry Month to explore a vast array of different types of poems and the variety of emotions and ideas they convey.