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Resources for National Poetry Month

As spring edges out winter, the daffodils arrive and so does National Poetry Month! This year is the 25th anniversary of the holiday to recognize the diverse poetry and poets of the U.S.! Educators at home and in schools can help students learn about poetry with free, multimedia resources for grades PreK-12 in KET’s PBS LearningMedia. Here are just a few resources to engage your students:

Rhyming |  Sesame Street   
Suggested grades PreK-K
A Spanish vocabulary lesson to get your students moving and talk about rhyme at the same time! Use this video to introduce Spanish verbs. Follow Mando as he acts out the meaning behind each word! Lesson 1 of 4

Predicting with the Poem “One Inch Tall” | Let’s Learn 
Suggested grades PreK-2
In this video, students read the poem “One Inch Tall” by Shel Silverstein. They predict what the poem is about and confirm their predictions during and after reading. Students then participate in a shared writing activity in which they write what they would do if they were one inch tall.

Awesome Alliteration | Word Girl 
Suggested grades 1-3
This WordGirl lesson focuses on alliteration. Students will generate a list of alliterative words, then write an original poem using those words.

A Gardener’s Poem | Think Garden 
Suggested grades K-5
This video from KET’s Think Garden collection explores the many roles of a gardener through a short, fun poem.  This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions. It also contains support materials, including Discussion Questions.

Materials for Vivian Johnson’s Poetry Lesson | Write in the Middle Workshop 3: Teaching Poetry  
Suggested grades 5-13+
To incorporate Vivian Johnson’s strategies for teaching poetry to middle school students, use this list of poems, conference sheets, quotations, and other classroom materials. Files are available for download.

Reading a Poem  
Suggested grades 6-12
In this video, poet Sonia Sanchez demonstrates that poetry can be a powerful way to express ideas. Poetry readers must use various thinking skills to analyze poetic images. Includes a Background Essay and Discussion Questions

The New Colossus |Poetry in America  
Suggested grades 6-12
While “The New Colossus” once welcomed immigrants into New York Harbor from its perch on the Statue of Liberty, this video excerpted from Poetry in America brings the discussion of poetry and immigration into our current moment. Host Elisa New rediscovers the freshness and the still-potent charge of Emma Lazarus’ iconic sonnet alongside singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, activist and founder of the United We Dream Foundation Cristina Jiménez, President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein, and poet Duy Doan. This video contemplates the physical—and figurative—journeys charted by all immigrants.  Includes support materials

“Aunties” by Kevin Young | Poetry Everywhere 
Suggested grades 7-12
This video segment features poet Kevin Young reading his poem “Aunties” at the Dodge Poetry Festival. “I feel like a poem is made up of poetic and unpoetic language, or unexpected language,” says Kevin Young; “Aunties” is a good example of allusive language, colloquial language, and poetic images all brought together to describe a wonderful lived experience of family.  Includes support materials, including Discussion Questions 


For even more resources, visit our curated folder. Have questions or need assistance? Contact your KET Education Consultant! We love helping educators and students!