The main goal, according to National Today, "is to encourage us to look upon poetry as a way of expressing feelings and thoughts, to create more awareness about the genre, and to practice poetry in our daily lives." I remember when I was in school that I did not especially like poetry, and I especially did not like dissecting it. It wasn't until college, during a Children's Literature class, that I fell in love with children's poetry, gaining a deeper appreciation. One of my favorites:
Bumble Bee
Black and yellow
Little fur bee
Buzzing away
In the timothy.
Drowsy
Browsy
Lump of a bee
Rumbly
Tumbly
Bumbly bee.
Where are you taking
Your golden plunder
Humming along
Like baby thunder?
Over the clover
And over the hay
Then over the apple trees
Zoom away.
By Margaret Wise Brown
WHERE TO START WITH CHILDREN:
The best and most important thing to do is to simply read the poems aloud together.
Enjoy the word play and sensory images.
Younger children like humor, so I have included several suggestions and sites to help. One of my favorites, even the title cracks me up!
FUN FOREST POEMS
MORE SUGGESTIONS:
GREAT BUG POEMS AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS BY
MELISSA SWEET ARE POETRY THEMSELVES
POETRY IN SHAPES
ONE OF THE BEST LOVED BY CHILDREN
HELPFUL SITES FOR KIDS:
Reading Rocket's is a great site for reading ideas and resources. In their blog about National Poetry Month, you will find:
Poetry booklists
Video interviews with poets such as Eve Bunting, Jack Prelutsky, Jane Yolan and more.
Activities and lesson plans form Scholastic
African American Poetry (Maya Angelou)
Poetry readings in Poetry Archives. I clicked on nature and up came "Please Do Not Feed the Animals" (kids will love it).
www.openculture.com|Shel Silverstein Here are six wonderful animated poems by Shel Silverstein.
HELPFUL SITE FOR ADULTS:
www.Poets.org|30 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month Here are some more great ideas, including Poem in your pocket day which is held on April 29th. You can also download a free copy of the 2022 official National Poetry Poster designed by eleventh grader Lara L., featuring a line by Presidential Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman.
SOMETIMES, WE JUST NEED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF WORDS AND LANGUAGE!
EASTER
The air is like a butterfly
With frail blue wings.
The happy earth looks at the sky
And sings.
By Joyce Kilmer
