April is National Poetry Month in the U.S., a celebration of poetry and its profound effect on our society and cultures. It’s an opportunity to instill in your students the importance of poetry — both on our understanding of the world and as a tool for social and emotional development.
If you teach literature, you know that students can often feel intimidated by poetry. So what better way to foster an appreciation for poetry than to engage students in fun poetry activities?
These resources are an engaging addition to any poetry unit. From crafting original poems to playing poetry games, your students will experience poetry in an exciting and accessible way.
Poetry Activities for Elementary School
These poetry activities for elementary students are a great introduction to reading and writing poems for young learners.
Nursery Rhymes & Poems for Primary Students by Teachers’ Keeper
PreK – 1st Grade
Students will practice reading poetry with 40 different nursery rhymes and poems. This resource also includes an interactive activity to use with Easel by TpT™.
No Prep First Grade Poetry Writing by Nicole and Eliceo
1st Grade
Your first graders will learn how to write poems about a variety of fun topics. This packet includes a writing ideas chart, graphic organizers, writing templates with visual supports, and more.
Teaching Poetry with Shel Silverstein by Courtney Schermerhorn – Mommy is a Teacher
2nd – 6th Grade
This mini-unit on author Shel Silverstein will help your students think critically about poetry and introduce them to figurative language. It also includes an interactive activity to use with Easel by TpT.
Poetry Activities for Middle School
Your middle school students will enjoy reading and writing different types of poems that connect to their lives and the world around them.
Acrostic Poem Lesson Bundle by Education is Lit
Not Grade Specific
Students can have fun creating poems about themselves, characters, research topics that students choose, and more in this acrostic poem bundle.
Emily Dickinson “I’m Nobody” Poem – Poetry Analysis and Creative Writing by Just Add Students
5th – 9th Grade
Students will practice their literary analysis skills by reading “I’m Nobody” by Emily Dickinson. Then, they’ll write their own “I’m Somebody” poems. This resource includes an interactive activity to use with Easel by TpT.
The Raven Poetry Escape Room by A Space to Create Art
6th – 9th Grade
Engage your students in a digital escape room based on “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. This fun activity is aligned to common core standards and ready to use with Easel by TpT.
Poetry Activities for High School
These fun poetry activities for high school will get your students engaged in analyzing different types of poetry.
Langston Hughes Poetry Activity by O Some Great Stuff for English Teachers
9th – 12th Grade
Students will identify literary elements and analyze seven important poems by Langston Hughes. This engaging activity can be printed or completed on Easel by TpT.
The Man from Snowy River: Poetry Activity by Tea4Teacher
9th – 12th Grade
This close reading activity for “The Man from Snowy River” helps students practice their textual analysis. It can be printed as a booklet or completed digitally on Easel by TpT.
Slam Poetry Close Reading Analysis Questions by Lindsay Ann Learning – Digital English Resources
9th – 12th Grade
Build excitement for slam poetry in your classroom with comprehension, analysis, and response questions for 18 spoken word poems. Students can complete this activity with Easel by TpT.
Poetry in Context Paper Assignment Sheet by ELA with Morgan
10th – 12th Grade
This assignment will challenge your older students to strengthen their writing through research, workshopping, and literary analysis.
Discover more Poetry Month resources on TpT.