contents and printing guide - southwestern academy€¦ · tanka is an ancient form of japanese...

This resource includes 37 pages of poetry activities. The vast majority of these are ready-to-use printables for 21 different kinds of poems. Each introduction worksheet includes a description of the poem, the poetry pattern, an example, and opportunities for guided practice. Most of the these also include a second page for more practice with the poetry form. In addition, there is also a Poetry Project Choice Grid with six independent projects, a sheet of poetry reflection questions to use for discussions or as writing prompts, and two pages of ideas for extending the activities and sharing student work.

POEM TYPE PAGE #

Cinquain 4-5

Diamante 6-7

Haiku 8-9

Tanka 10-11

Bio Poem 12-13

5W Poem 14-15

Verb Poem 16-17

Holiday Poem 18-19

Pensee 20-21

Acrostic Poem 22-23

Quinzaine 24-25

Septet 26-27

POEM TYPE PAGE #

Preposition Poem 28

Alliteration Poem 29

Repeat It Poem 30

Alliteration Poem 31

Me: Fact or Fiction Poem 32

Clerihew 33

Limerick 34

Phone Number Poem 35

Roll the Dice Poem 36

Partner Poem 37

Poetry Project Grid 38

Poem Reflection Questions 39

Poetry Unit Ideas 40

Contents and Printing Guide

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A cinquain is a structured, five-line poem. A cinquain does not rhyme You can write a cinquain just by following the pattern.

Line 1: Line 2: Line 3: Line 4: Line 5:

Example:

A noun Two adjectives Three "-ing" verbs A phrase

Synonym for the first noun

Wilbur humble, radiant

playing, crying, hoping

Will always love Charlotte Pig

Follow the pattern to write a cinquin about a person.

Now try a cinquain about an animal.

,

, ,

,

, ,

Created by Rachel. Lynette Copyright ©2011-17 www.rachel-lynette.com

Name Date

Pattern:

2 adjectives

3 -ing verbs

Phrase

Noun

Noun synonym

2 adjectives

3 -ing verbs

Phrase

Noun

Noun synonym

Write 3 more cinquains. Make a small illustration for each one. Remember to follow the pattern:


Name Date

,

, ,

,

, ,

,

, ,

²  a special place ²  something in nature ²  your favorite food

²  a character from a book ²  an event ²  an object you use everyday

Cinquain Ideas A noun Two adjectives Three "-ing" verbs A phrase First noun synonym

A diamante is a structured poem with seven lines that form the shape of a diamond. A diamante compares two contrasting, or even opposite words.

Pattern: Line 1: Noun - opposite of Line 7 Line 2: Two adjectives that describe Line 1 Line 3: Three -ing verbs relating to Line 1

Example: son

eager, innocent asking, learning, wondering

toys, games, glasses, books answering, teaching knowing

patient, wise father

Line 4: Four nouns; two about Line 1, two about Line 7 Line 5: Three -ing verbs relating to Line 7 Line 6: Two adjectives that describe Line 7 Line 7: Noun - opposite of Line 1

Now try writing your own diamante.

Noun - opposite of last line

,

Two adjectives that describe the first line

, ,

Three -ing verbs relating to the first line

Two nouns about the first line Two nouns about the last line

, ,

Three -ing verbs relating to the last line

, Two adjectives that describe the last line

Noun - opposite of first line


Name Date

, , , ,

Tip: write lines 1 and 7 first.

Noun - opposite of the last line

Two adjectives that describe the first line Three -ing verbs relating to the first line

Four nouns; two about the first line, two about the last line Three -ing verbs relating to the last line Two adjectives that describe the last line

Noun - opposite of the first line

,

, ,

, , ,

, ,

,


Name Date

Now try writing 2 more diamante poems. Remember to follow the pattern.

,

, ,

, , ,

, ,

,

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Haikus are three-lined, poems that follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Haikus are often about nature. Haikus do not rhyme.

Pattern: Line 1: five syllables Line 2: seven syllables Line 3: five syllables

Example: Look at you, small snail

There with your house on your back Forever alone

Write a nature Haiku. Do this activity outside if you can. If you cannot go outside, look out a window or imagine a place in nature. Before you write a haiku, it can be helpful to make a list of things that you see and hear in nature.

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables


Name Date

Now choose some things from your list to write about. Write two different haikus. Tip: If your haikus are too long, try getting rid of words like "a," "an," and, "the."

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

Write four more haikus. Remember to follow the 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Draw a simple sketch beside each of your haikus.


Name Date

Tanka is an ancient form of Japanese poetry. Tanka poems are similar to haikus, but they have five lines instead of three. Tanka poems are often about nature, love, or an event or occasion.

Pattern:

Line 1: five syllables Line 2: seven syllables Line 3: five syllables Line 4: seven syllables Line 5: seven syllables

Example:

The sun is shining There it is, the perfect spot Unpack the basket Bread, cheese, a red, crisp apple What a Blissful afternoon

My event

Describing words and phrases:

5 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

7 syllables

7 syllables


Name Date

Use some of your words and phrases to write your poem.

Choose an event to write a Tanka poem about. It can be a small event such as an afternoon with a friend or a trip to the park, or it can be a larger event such as a holiday or a party. Then write several words or phrases to describe your event.

Write two more tanka poems. Illustrate your poems

Line 1: five syllables Line 2: seven syllables Line 3: five syllables Line 4: seven syllables Line 5: seven syllables

Remember that Tanka poems are usually about an event, love,

or something in nature.


Name Date

Who loves....

Who fears....

Who needs....

Who gives...

Who would like to see...

Resident of....

Last name

First name

Bio poems are about a person. You can write a bio poem about yourself or someone else. Bio poems are ten lines long and follow a specific pattern. They do not rhyme.

Pattern:

Lucy Creative, Daring, Joyful, Kind Daughter of Adam and Rachel Who loves drawing, dancing, and skating Who fears boredom and the garbage disposal Who needs her friends and her family Who gives warm hugs and frequent smiles

Line 1: Line 2: Line 3: Line 4: Line 5: Line 6: Line 7: Line 8: Line 9:

First name Four adjectives Son/Daughter of... Who loves.... Who fears.... Who needs.... Who gives... Who would like to see... Resident of....

Who would like to see a parade of bunnies Resident of Woodinvillel, Washington Lynette Line 10: Last name

Four adjectives

Son/Daughter of...


Name Date

Now try writing your own bio poem. When you are writing your poem, try to think of two or three different things for the lines that start with the word, "Who."

Example:

Write another bio poem. Remember to follow the pattern.

Line 1: Line 2: Line 3: Line 4: Line 5: Line 6: Line 7: Line 8: Line 9:

First name Four adjectives Son/Daughter of... Who loves.... Who fears.... Who needs.... Who gives...

Who would like to see... Resident of....

Line 10 Last name

Bio Poem Ideas

²  Yourself ²  Someone in your family ²  A friend ²  A fictional character ²  Your teacher ²  Someone famous ²  Your pet


Name Date

A 5W poem tells a story by answering five questions that all begin with W. The questions themselves do not appear in the poem and the poem does not rhyme.

Pattern: Example:

Line 1: Who (or what) is the poem about? Line 2: What is he, she, or it doing? Line 3: When is this action taking place? Line 4: Where does it take place? Line 5: Why does it take place?

Little tree frog Sitting so still In the morning light On a branch outside my window Waiting for your breakfast

Try writing a 5W poem about an animal.

Who

What

When

Where

Why

Now try writing a 5W poem about a person that you know.

Who

What

When

Where

Why

Write one more about a person a group of people or animals.

Who

What

When

Where

Why


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Line 1: Who Line 2: What Line 3: When Line 4: Where Line 5: Why

Write 3 more 5W poems. Remember to follow the pattern. Illustrate each of your poems.


Name Date

A verb poem is a quick and fun poem that describes action. Verb poems do not rhyme. To write a verb poem, think of an action. Then write six verbs that go with that action. It is okay if some or even all of your verbs are synonyms.

Pattern

Line 1: 3 verbs Line 2: 3 more verbs

Examples:

Splash, dive, dunk Float, glide, slosh I am like a fish!

Doze, snooze, sleep Nap, rest, slumber When is bedtime? Line 3: Sentence about the

activity the verbs describe.

Now it's your turn. Start by making a list of things that you like to do. Then choose 4 to write about. You may want to use a thesaurus for your verbs.

3 verbs:

3 verbs:

, ,

, ,

Sentence:

3 verbs:

3 verbs:

, ,

, ,

Sentence:

3 verbs:

3 verbs:

, ,

, ,

Sentence:

3 verbs:

3 verbs:

, ,

, ,

Sentence:


Name Date

List of things I like to do

Write four more verb poems. You can use ideas from your list or try some from the list on this page. Remember to follow the pattern:

Line 1: 3 verbs Line 2: 3 more verbs Line 3: Sentence about the activity the verbs describe.

, ,

, ,

,

,

,

,

, ,

, ,

, ,

, ,

Illustrate one of your poems

Verb Poem Ideas

walk run talk laugh cry eat

study draw dance cook fly

think plan fall

bathe sweep

sail fix

break celebrate

sing build

destroy dream write win lose hide find give

teach learn

explore jump


Name Date

A holiday poem explores a holiday using all five senses. It is a pattern poem that does not rhyme. You can also use this form for an event or season.

Name of holiday

Something you see

Something you smell

Something you hear

Something you taste

Something you touch

Name of holiday

Line 1: Name of holiday :

Thanksgiving Line 2: Something you see Line 3: Something you smell

Family 'round the table Pumpkin pie baking in the oven

Line 4: Something you hear Line 5: Something you taste

Everyone giving thanks Mountains of mashed potatoes

Line 6: Something you touch Line 7: Name of holiday

Grandma gives me a hug Thanksgiving


Name Date

Write and illustrate your own holiday poem.

Example

Example: Pattern:

This time use the holiday pattern to write about a season. Illustrate your poem.

Line 1: Name of season Line 2: Something you see Line 3: Something you smell Line 4: Something you hear Line 5: Something you taste Line 6: Something you touch Line 7: Name of season


Name Date

A pensee poem is a five-line, structured poem that does not rhyme. Each line has a specific number of syllables.

Pattern: Line 1: Subject (2 syllables) Line 2: Description (4 syllables) Line 3: Action (7 syllables) Line 4: Setting (8 syllables)

Example:

Kitten Soft and fluffy Meows until I pet her There on my favorite pillow Purring with contentment Line 5: Final thought (6 syllables)

Write a pensee poem about an animal.

Now write one about one of your favorite kinds of food.

Write a pensee poem about your favorite time of year.

Subject (2 syllables)

Description (4 syllables)

Action (7 syllables)

Setting (8 syllables)

Final thought (6 syllables)


Name Date











Line 1: Subject (2 syllables)

Line 2: Description (4 syllables)

Line 3: Action (7 syllables)

Line 4: Setting (8 syllables)

Line 5: Final thought (6 syllables)

Pensee Poem Ideas:

²  a person ²  an animal ²  an event ²  a holiday ²  a season

²  a place ²  a food ²  an object ²  an emotion ²  something in nature


Name Date

Write more Pensee Poems. Remember the pattern:

In an acrostic poem, the subject of the poem is written in capital letters down the page. The letters of the word are then used for the first letter in each line.

Sun is shining Up in the sky My ice cream Melts, but I don't care Everyone is hot Ready for a swim.

Soft and nearly worn out Had them forever, it seems Old, but well loved Everyday I put them on Sad to see them go

Try writing acrostic poems for these words:


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Examples:

SWAN

LUNCH

FRIEND

Write two more acrostic poems. Remember to use capital letters when you write the subject down the page and to make sure each line starts with the correct letter. Write your first acrostic about yourself of someone you know.

Write your second acrostic poem about anything you want.


Name Date

A quinzaine poem is a structured three-line poem that does not rhyme. In a quinzaine the last two lines are used to ask a question about the first line.

Line 1: A sentence or phrase(7 syllables) Hot fudge sundae with sprinkles Line 2: First part of a question (5 syllables) Line 3: Second part of question (3 syllables)

Does it taste as good as it looks?

Write a quinzaine poem about a fictional character. A sentence or phrase (7 syllables)

First part of a question (5 syllables)

Second part of question (3 syllables)

Write a quinzaine poem about an animal. A sentence or phrase (7 syllables)


Second part of question (3 syllables) Write a quinzaine poem about a place you have been. A sentence or phrase (7 syllables)


Second part of question (3 syllables) Write a quinzaine poem about a kind of food. A sentence or phrase (7 syllables)


Second part of question (3 syllables)


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Pattern:

Example:

Line 1: A sentence or phrase (7 syllables) Line 2: First part of a question (5 syllables) Line 3: Second part of question (3 syllables)

Write 5 more quinzaine poems. Remember to follow the pattern.


Name Date

A septet poem has seven lines with syllables that follow a pattern. A septet poem does not need to rhyme and can be about anything.

Line 1: three syllables Line 2: five syllables Line 3: seven syllables Line 4: nine syllables Line 5: seven syllables Line 6 five syllables Line 7: three syllables

Example: Apple pie Hot from the oven Slice a big piece for me, please With a scoop of vanilla ice cream Fork in my hand, I'm ready... I take the first bite Delicious!

Try writing a septet poem about a person that you know. 3 syllables

5 syllables

7 syllables

9 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

3 syllables

Now write one about an animal. 3 syllables

5 syllables

7 syllables

9 syllables

7 syllables

5 syllables

3 syllables


Name Date

Pattern:

Write two more septet poems. Remember to follow the pattern. Challenge: in one of your poems, make lines 3 and 5 rhyme.

Line 1: three syllables Line 2: five syllables Line 3: seven syllables Line 4: nine syllables Line 5: seven syllables Line 6 five syllables Line 7: three syllables

Septet Poem Ideas:

²  a person ²  an animal ²  an event ²  a holiday ²  a season

²  a place ²  a food ²  an object ²  an emotion ²  something in nature


Name Date

In a preposition poem, each line begins with a preposition. Lines are usually short containing just two to four words. A preposition poem can be about anything and does not need to rhyme.

Here is an example: With snorkel and fins Into the water Under the waves Among the fish Over there Beside a rock Toward me it swims Without fear But I swim away Up to the surface Onto the dock Above the shark Out of danger Until next time

Write your own preposition poem. Make it at least 8 lines long. Illustrate your poem.

List of Prepositions:

about above across after against along among around at before behind below beneath between beside

by down during except for from in inside instead into like near of off on

out outside over past since through toward under underneath until up upon with within without


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Alliteration is when two or more words in a phrase begin with the same sound. In an alliteration poem, most of the words in each line begin with the same sound. You do not need to use the same sound for the whole poem, just for a single line, then you can use a new sound for the next line.


Name Date

Here’s an example: Beach Gulls gliding gracefully Waves whooshing Seaweed and seashells on the sand Browned bodies on blankets Kids constructing castles That the waves will wash away But for now, the beach is beautiful

Often a line or phrase is repeated several times in a poem. In a repeat it poem, the first part of each line is the same. These poems can be serious or funny. They can rhyme or not rhyme. You could also add a twist to the poem by not using the repeated phrase for the last line.

Never will I

Never will I, go to Mars Never will I, dine on cars Never will I, pet a bear Never will I, cut my hair Never will I, touch the sky Never will I, learn to fly Never will I, serve goats tea Never will I, ride a bee Never will I, ask the time Never will I, end this rhyme

Write one of your own

Repeat It Poem Ideas: I wonder why... I wish I could... Today I will... Now I know... My mother says... I'd like to see... Late at night... Everyone should... When I grow up I'll... I love it when.... A friend knows how to...


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Here is an example:

This is a fun poem you write about yourself. It consists of 10 lines. The first and last lines are the words, "I am" plus your name. In the middle, write four true statements about yourself and four false statements. Mix them up to make the poem fun to read. Tips:

ü  Make some of your false statements believable so that it is hard to tell the true ones from the false ones.

ü  Try not to start all of your lines with "I."


Name Date

I am Rachel Lynette. My favorite color is purple. I never wear stripes. I own nine cats. Tillamook Mudslide is my favorite kind of ice cream. I have been to the top of the Eifel Tower. I gave JK Rawlings the idea for Harry Potter. My family lived on a sailboat for a year. When I was little I ate bleach and nearly died. I am Rachel Lynette.

Here is an example:

Try one of your own:

A Clerihew is a short, humorous, rhyming poem about a person (or animal). The Clerihew was invented by writer Edmund Clerihew Bentley in the late 1800s when he was just 16 years old. A Clerihew has just four lines. The rhyming pattern is AABB (lines one and two rhyme and lines three and four rhyme). The only other rule is that the first line must contain the name of the person that the poem is about.

Write a Clerihew about a fictional character.

Now try one about a person that you know.

Write one more about anyone you want.

Wilbur the Pig Was not very big But when he went to the fair He won the prize there!

My brother Nate Cleans his plate But when there 's spinach to munch He skips out on lunch


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Here is are some examples:

A limerick is a five-line humorous poem, usually about a person. The rhyming pattern for a limerick is AABBA. Also, the first, second and fifth lines are about twice as long as the third and fourth lines. Limericks also often start with the words, "There once was..."


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There once was a fine girl named Claire Who spent hours combing her hair She combed it all night Till it was just right But by then she was stuck to the chair.

Try some of your own:

Here is an example:

Use your phone number to create a fun poem! You will write one line for each number in your seven-digit phone number. Each number tells you how many syllables will be in the line. If you have a "0" in your phone number you get to choose any number of syllables you want for that line. Here is an example for the phone number 555-4692.


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Try one with your phone number. Write your number down page in the boxes. Then use the syllables to write your poem. Illustrate your poem.

(5) Our team is losing (5) It's my turn to bat (5) The pitch is too fast (4) Strike one for me (6) Oh, no another strike (9) We will lose the game if I strike out (2) Homerun!

You will need a pair of dice to write this poem. For each line, roll both dice. The sum of the two numbers is the number of syllables that line must contain. Keep rolling until your poem is done. Try one yourself. Draw the dots or write the numbers for your rolls in the dice Then add the two together to find the total number of syllables for the line. Use the top line to make a title for your poem.


Name Date

A partner poem is a poem you write with a friend. Start a partner poem by writing the first line of the poem. Then pass the paper to your partner. It is his or her job to write the next line, but here is the tricky part: your partner's line must rhyme with the line you just wrote. When you your partner is done, he or she passes it back to you and you write the third line. Then your partner has to make the fourth line rhyme with the line you just wrote. The rhyme pattern is: AABB.

Partner 1: Partner 2:

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)


Name Date

ü If you are Partner 1, make sure that the last word in each line you write is not too hard to rhyme with. You don't want to make partner 2's job too difficult.

ü A good way to do this activity is for both partners to start a poem at the same time. You will be Partner 1 on your own paper and Partner 2 on your partner's paper. Then you can trade papers at the same time.

Tips:

Choose one of these projects to complete at home.

Name

Due Date Parent Signature

Themed Collection Choose a broad topic such as animals

or food. Then write at least eight different poems about your topic using different poetry styles. At least one of your poems must rhyme and at

least two of your poems must be over ten lines or longer.

Poetry PowerPoint Presentation

Create a PowerPoint presentation with at least ten slides. Your

presentation should feature a longish poem broken up by sections or lines with animated text and images. You may use a poem you wrote or one

from a known author.

Poetry Reflection Journal Collect at least eight poems that you like. For each poem, copy it into your

journal, create an appropriate illustration and write a personal

reflection about each poem. Your reflection should be at least a

paragraph long and should include your thoughts and feelings about the poem.

Poetry Picture Book Write a long, rhyming poem (at least

30 lines) that tells a simple story. Use the poem to create a children's picture book with a colorful cover, illustrations

and an About the Author page.

Poet Biography Research one of your favorite poets and write a biography report about

his or her life. Your biography should be at least 2 pages long and should include an illustration of the author and at least one of his or her most

well known poems.

Poetry Greeting Cards Greeting cards often contain poems -

both rhyming and not rhyming. Create at least six greeting cards for different occasions (birthday, thank

you, new baby etc.) with a special poem on each one. At least one of

your poems must rhyme. Be sure to include an illustration for each card.


These questions can be used for personal reflection, with a group for discussion or as writing prompts.

1. How did this poem make you feel? What words or phrases in the poem made you feel this way?

2. What figures of speech (such as simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration etc.) did the author use. Did they enhance the poem?

3. What is the rhyming pattern of the poem?

4. What was your favorite part of this poem? Why?

5. What are four adjectives you would use to describe this poem?

6. Why do you think the author wrote this poem?

7. What message do you think the author was trying to convey in this poem?

8. Did this poem remind you of something from your life? What was it?

9. Did this poem remind you of a person you know or a fictional character? Who was it?

10.   Were there any parts you found confusing or did not understand? What were they? What could you do to figure those parts out?

11.  Do you think this poem was well written? Why or why not?

12.  Is this poem similar to another poem you have read? How?

13.  Who do you think would enjoy this poem? Why?

14.   If you were to read this poem again in twenty years, do you think you would enjoy it?

15.  Is this poem more funny or serious? Why do you think so?

16.   What questions do you have about this poem?


Here are some tips and for teaching poetry, activities, and ideas for sharing student work (some of these are on the Poetry Project Choice Grid)

•  Before you begin a poetry unit you may want to make sure your students are familiar with alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, personification, and other types of figurative language. Fluency with a thesaurus is also a good skill to have. You may also want to use rhyming dictionaries (ideally online)

•  You could extend any of these poem patterns by having students choose their favorite poems to copy onto nice paper and illustrate. Water colors are particularly nice with many poem types. For Haiku, consider painting in the Japanese style of black/gray watercolor lines. You could also have students research how to write the subject of their Haiku with Japanese characters.

•  Have students keep poetry journals. One way to do this is to have students choose their favorite poems from the poetry pattern worksheets to copy into their journals. Another approach is to have students write the poem and then write about it - where the idea came from, emotions it inspires, whether it was easy or difficult to write etc.

•  Publish and anthology of your class's work. It could be as simple as copying pages and binding them yourself or you could do a fund raiser (a poetry reading, perhaps?) and use one of the many self-publishing options available. Be sure to put a copy in your class library.

•  Create a class poetry blog, or use a page from your classroom blog just for student poems. Older students could post their own poems, along with an image. Encourage students to comment on each other's posts.

•  Consider creating a permanent poetry bulletin board in your classroom. Every few weeks change the type of poem you display. You could also include information about that poetry form, and possibly some famous works.

•  Many of these poem patterns would make nice cards for holidays - Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas etc.

•  Consider holding monthly class poetry slams so that students can share their work. You could do it with just your class, invite another class as an audience or invite parents.

•  Another option is to do a more formal poetry reading at the end of your poetry unit (possibly with refreshments, a program, and students dressed in nice clothes). Each student could choose a favorite poem to share.

•  The partner writing approach could be used with many of these poems

patterns. Have each partner write a line, then switch papers for the next line until the poems are done.


Poetry Unit Ideas Page 2

•  Another variation is to have everyone in the class start the same type of poem, then pass papers in one direction for the next line. Keep passing in the same direction for each line until the poems are done. Then return the papers to the student who wrote the first line to see how the poem evolved. Make sure to leave some time for sharing - these are always amusing!

•  Choose a subject such as a holiday, or something you are studying like an animal or country and have each student write a poem about it using whatever pattern he or she chooses. These could be nice on a bulletin board.

•  Students can also do this individually. Have each student choose a broad topic and then write several poems (4-10 depending on grade level) using different poetry styles about that topic. These could be bound into a book.

•  Be sure to read as well as write poems. Some ideas for reading poems:

o  Keep your classroom library well stocked! In addition to kid favorites like Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, also include anthologies and picture books that have been written in verse. Collections of poems written by students from past years is also a fun idea.

o  Hold poetry circles in a similar way you would hold a literature circle. Or use it as a time for students to share favorite poems in small groups.

o  Have students memorize poems to recite. Here is a great list: http://www.alysion.org/memorablepoems.htm

o  Reciting poems as a group is fun too. Different individuals or parts of the group say different lines. Great for a performance.

o  Create a class poetry scrapbook where students can print out and glue favorite poems.

o  Have students do poet reports. They can write a formal report on a poet and then do a presentation that includes one or more of the poet's poems.

o  Post a poem of the day (or week). Or for older students, have each student take a turn choosing a poem of the day and presenting it to the class along with a little information about the poet (a little like Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac).

o  Remember to celebrate National Poem in your Pocket Day on April 14 (Right in the middle of the National Poetry Month). Encourage students to carry and share their poems. Make it a school wide event by offering freebies/prizes for kids who bring poems and by having poem reading events.

•  And finally, the poem Invitation by Shel Silverstein is a nice one to blow up on the copier and put on the front door of your classroom.


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