April is National Poetry Month and April 17th is Poem in your Pocket Day. Do you like secret little messages tucked into quiet little places like your pocket or lunch pail? My children love this and today we are sharing with classmates, friends, and neighbors alike a little rolled up poem to keep in their pockets to share with all they meet.
Some Facts About National Poetry Month
Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets throughout the United States band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.
Ever wondered why National Poetry Month is always held in April? In coordination with poets, booksellers, librarians, and teachers, the Academy chose a month when poetry could be celebrated with the highest level of participation. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.
The goals of National Poetry Month are to:
- Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
- Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
- Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
- Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
- Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
- Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
- Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry
Great Poetry Resources:
Keep A Poem in Your Pocket pdf Download Keep A Poem In Your Pocket
Kenn Nesbit’s Poetry4Kids
Giggle Poetry by Meadowbrook Press offers several poetry activities.
Word Mover App for Kids (helps kids form their own poems)
Diamante Poem interactive, kids create verse in the shape of a diamond.
RhymeZone’s Rhyming Dictionary helps kids in their struggle to find words that express their feelings and ideas.
Jack Prelutsky Website for Kids
Shel Silverstein Printables for your pocket
Favorite Poetry Reads
- 20th- Century Children’s Poetry Treasury edited by Jac Prelutsky
- A Hatful of Seuss by Dr. Seuss
- A child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
- You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You by John Ciardi
- Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
- Joyful Noise: Poems for two voices by Paul Fleischman
- Big Talk: Poems for Four Voices by Paul Fleischman
Creative Ways to celebrate National Poetry Month
Take it to the streets: Pick a favorite line from a poem and choose a clean piece of sidewalk or pavement to write on. You can search for a poem on Poets.org or check your bookshelf for an old favorite. Use brightly colored chalk to attract attention to your work, and add drawings or artistic flourishes to create some extra fun.
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