In her 2021 TED-Ed student talk, poet Amanda Gorman said, “Poetry has never been the language of barriers. It’s always been the language of bridges.” With the current emphasis on culturally responsive, student-centered education and social emotional learning in schools, the bridge-building power of poetry is especially important. Poetry plays a significant role in teaching elementary children to make meaning, express emotion, and connect to culture, all while appreciating the rhythm and rhyme of the written and spoken word.
The activities in the Elementary School Guide on Teaching Poetry are adaptable for kindergarten through fifth grade and focus on the following line of inquiry: Why do poets write poems? How can poetry help us understand ourselves and the world around us?
Teachers can choose one or any combination of titles and strategies in the guide for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent practice as they work to build a classroom culture where children are inspired to read, write, and reflect on the power of poetry.
Download the free guides for elementary school, middle school, and high school.
