Inspired by Black History Month (February) and Woman's History Month (March) The Academy of American Poets launched National Poetry Month in April of 1996. The goal for this celebration was (and continues to be) reminding the public that poetry matters!
Over the past three decades, this event has become the largest literary celebration in the world! Tens of millions of readers participate each year and share in the joy that poetry brings to our lives!
To celebrate I am sharing nine books that will make perfect read alouds for your students! Reading a few poems from the following books will definitely foster the love of poetry in young minds!
R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet by Judy Young
Judy Young remembers sharing one of her first poems with her grandmother at ten years old. She has loved writing poems ever since! This book uses delightful little poems to explain and highlight poetic tools, terms and techniques. Readers will surely be inspired into crafting their own poems after reading or listening to this text!
Animal Poems by Valerie Worth
Valerie Worth perfectly illuminates what makes each animal unique by the careful use of chosen words. Readers will be delighted to read or hear these twenty-three exquisite poems, and view the breathtaking cut-paper illustrations by Steve Jenkins.
Lizards, frogs and Polliwogs by Douglas Florian
A great collection of poems about some fascinating animals! Students will be be delighted when they learn about transparent glass frogs, ravenous rattlesnakes, stressed out skinks and sticky geckos! This collection is informative, fun and hard to put down!
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein's name is synonymous with poetry. Each collection he authored is abound with imagination and humor. In this particular collection you will meet a boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale!
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Open the pages to find another delightful collection of poems from Silverstein. Inside you will discover Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire!
Falling Up Shel Silverstein
Are you noticing a trend? I can't help it....I LOVE Shel Silverstein!
I mean...who doesn't love him? In this compilation of poems, one will read My Nose Garden, Little House, Strange Restaurant, Sharing Noise Day and many more!
New Kid on The Block by Jack Prelutsky
This entertaining compilation of poems would make a wonderful introduction to the pleasures of poetry. Jack Prelutsky is a master poet and makes word play in this collection incredibly entertaining!
In this book you will meet strange people such as Baloney Belly Billy and the Gloopy Gloopers. You will also be introduced to jellyfish stew, a bouncing mouse, a ridiculous dog and a boneless chicken!
Guess Who Haiku by Deanna Caswell
Kids will delight with this collection of haikus! Each poem describes an animal and asks a question that rhymes with the answer on the following page. What a wonderful interactive read aloud!
Tap Dancing On The Roof: Sijo by Linda Sue Park
Sijo is a traditional form of Korean poetry. Like the Japanese haiku, sijo is syllabic with three lines of 14 to 16 syllables each. The first two lines introduce the topic, the third and fourth develop the topic and the fifth and sixth lines contain a humorous or ironic twist.
Lind Sue Park illuminates funny an unexpected aspects of the everyday (breakfast, houseplants, tennis, washed socks, etc.) within the verses of this book. What a great read aloud to expose students to another form of poetry!
looking for more ideas to celebrate National Poetry Month with your students? Check out these ideas and free resources from the Academy of American Poets.
Also be sure to check out some free lesson plans, classroom activities and websites from Read, Write, Think.
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