ReadWriteThink: The ABCs of Poetry
Younger students often read ABC poetry books and write poetry based on those books. That is not often a project for high school students, but this lesson plan from ReadWriteThink puts a whole, new slant on such an endeavor and can be an original way to involve the entire class in writing poetry. Look at individual letters in a new way, upside down and sideways. The instructional plan includes student objectives, instruction suggestions, and activities, along with ways to extend the lesson. The Self-Reflection questions allow for self-assessment. The interactive alphabet organizer can be used for printing out an alphabet chart, and there are poems provided to model the idea. Help your students find their inner poet during National Poetry Month.
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/abcs-poetry-988.html
Reading Rockets: National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month, celebrating the delights and mysteries of reading and writing poetry. Reading Rockets offers a plethora of ideas and resources to bring poetry into your classroom all month long. Find video interviews with poets who appeal to children talking about writing poetry and reading it aloud. What elementary student doesn’t love Jack Prelutsky! Find resources that show how to expand learning through poetry, poetry booklists, and National Poetry Month resources from the Academy of American Poets. My favorite is Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 26. Rejoice in words and encourage your students to play with them through poetry.
http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/poetry/