April is Poetry Month!

I love poetry. It's one of my favorite things to teach to children. Kids love to read it, love to listen to it and love to write it, especially when you tell them that poems don't have to rhyme. :) Poetry is very non-threatening and it can really level the playing field, especially for kids who are still mastering their reading and writing skills.

April is Poetry Month so we will be celebrating poetry all month long! I thought I'd share some online resources with you all so you can join in the fun at home. I'll add in a few more as the month goes on...

Shel Silverstein is one of those poets I think most people are familiar with. He has a great website with games and printables that are fun for kids of all ages. You can also find animated versions of his poems on YouTube.

Another undeniable kid favorite is Jack Prelutsky. His really fun website has a number of his poems (click on the sun) and in the 'Grownups' section, silly songs (click on Jack's Music) as well as some helpful tips for reading with young children and some very funny fan letters.

I had the opportunity to meet Brod Bagert when I was earning my teaching credential. He did a session about poetry at a reading conference I attended. He believes that poems should be recited OUT LOUD and provided great ideas about getting kids up in front of others, performing them. His books are always favorites with my students. The most popular of his poems is easily one called Llama - it has just the word llama in it, written over and over. When you read it, it's quite boring but as a performance - magic! Here's another of his poems that I really like...

Kenn Nesbitt writes a lot of poems about school and things that children can really relate to. His website includes an online rhyming dictionary (SO helpful!) along with lots of his poems that you can print and email, lots of great word games and links to all kinds of poetry stuff online.

Here's his poem Tighty, Whity Spider:

(to the tune of "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider")

The tighty-whity spider went down the waterslide.
Got a water wedgie halfway down the ride.
Jumped up and screamed and ran around in pain.
Now the tighty-whity spider will not do that again.

Inkless Tales is the creation of Elizabeth Bushey. On the site, children can listen to her poems, read stories, play games, create finger puppets and more. On one page of her website, visitors can make their own poem by dragging words around the screen - like a virtual Magnetic Poetry Kit.

Roger Stevens is a silly British poet. His website is a bit overwhelming but allows 4-18 year old children to share their poetry with the world! He also has animated poems available on YouTube. Here's my favorite...