5 Poetry Activities for National Poetry Month!

April is National Poetry Month, and what better way to celebrate than by incorporating poetry into your classroom or home learning? Poetry is a fantastic way to engage children in language and help them develop their reading and writing skills. Here are five easy and engaging poetry activities for teachers and parents to try with their students and children:

Poetry Scavenger Hunt

A poetry scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive way to get children to explore their surroundings and think about language. Start by creating a list of words or phrases related to a theme, such as nature or emotions. Then, invite children to go on a hunt to find objects or images that represent each word or phrase. Encourage them to take photos or draw pictures of their findings, and use them to create a poem or series of poems.

Found Poetry Collage

Found poetry is a great way to get children thinking creatively about language. Start by providing a selection of old magazines, newspapers, or books for children to browse. Encourage them to cut out interesting words and phrases and arrange them on a piece of paper to create a poem. This activity can be done individually or in small groups, and it can be adapted for different age groups by adjusting the complexity of the vocabulary found in magazines and newspapers.

Group Poetry

Collaborative poetry is a great way to build community and encourage children to work together. Start by brainstorming a theme or topic for the poem, such as nature, friendship, or emotions. Then, invite each child to contribute a line or phrase to the poem, taking turns until the poem is complete. This activity can be done orally or in writing.

Sound and Rhythm

Poetry is all about sound and rhythm, and there are many fun activities you can do to help children explore these elements. Start by reading a selection of poems aloud and inviting children to clap or tap along with the rhythm. Then, challenge them to create their own rhythmic patterns using body percussion or simple instruments. You can also play with alliteration, onomatopoeia, and other sound devices by inviting children to create tongue twisters or silly rhymes.

Poetry is all about sound and rhythm, and there are many fun activities you can do to help children explore these elements.

Poetry Art

Have students create artwork inspired by their favorite poems. This activity can be done individually or in groups, and it allows children to explore their creativity and express their interpretations of the poem through visual art. Encourage children to think about the mood, imagery, and themes of the poem as they create their artwork. This activity is a great way to combine language and visual arts and can be adapted for different age groups and skill levels.

These five poetry activities are just a few examples of the many ways you can engage children in language and help them develop their reading and writing skills. Whether you're a teacher looking to incorporate poetry into your curriculum, or a parent looking for fun and educational activities to do at home, poetry is a great way to encourage creativity and spark a love of language in children. If you try out any of these poetry activities, tag @thelanguageartslibrary to share! Happy National Poetry Month!

Poetry Resources!