Category: News

Today we’re going to jump into an exciting topic that might surprise you: how to blend poetry with physical education. That’s right, we’re going to explore how verses and movement can work together to create a dynamic learning experience for elementary students. So, put on your sneakers and grab your favorite poem – it’s time to get physical with poetry!

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Today I’d like to share some insights about how humorous poetry can supercharge kids’ literacy skills. So, get ready to discover why giggles and grins are secret weapons in the battle for better reading and how you can create more literary laughter in the classroom!

The Power of Humor in Learning

We all know that learning is easier when it’s fun, right? Well, humor takes that idea and kicks it up a notch! When kids laugh, their brains release chemicals that make them feel good. This good feeling makes them want to keep reading, even if reading is usually tough for them. It’s like their brain is saying, “Hey, this is awesome! Let’s do more!”

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As the new school year begins, you’re likely looking for creative ways to inspire your students and ignite their passion for reading and writing. What better way to do that than by bringing an award-winning children’s author directly into your classroom—virtually, of course!

Each year, I visit hundreds of schools around the world through live, interactive online sessions. My virtual author visits are more than just a reading event; they’re high-energy, funny, and educational experiences designed to leave your students excited about picking up a pen and writing their own stories and poems.

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I’ve always been fascinated by how the changing seasons inspire creativity and wonder in young minds. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how seasonal poetry can transform a classroom, turning abstract concepts of time and change into tangible, enjoyable learning experiences. Today, I’d like to share some thoughts on how we can use seasonal verses to enhance learning and create memorable moments throughout the school year.

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As a children’s poet, I’ve seen firsthand how poetry can transform the way kids understand and express their emotions. Over my years of writing for children and visiting schools, I’ve witnessed countless young faces light up as they discover the power of poetic expression. Today, I want to share some insights on how poetry can be a fantastic tool for building emotional intelligence in children.

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Today, let’s dive into how nature-themed poems can help connect kids with the environment, boost their observation skills, and foster a lifelong appreciation for the wonders of our planet.

The Magic of Nature Poetry

There’s something truly special about nature poetry. It has the power to capture the beauty, mystery, and complexity of the natural world in a way that resonates deeply with readers of all ages. For children, nature poetry can be a gateway to discovering the marvels of the environment around them, encouraging them to look closer, listen more carefully, and engage more fully with nature.

Benefits of Introducing Kids to Nature Poetry

1. Enhanced Observation Skills: Nature poems often focus on specific details of animals, plants, seasons, etc., encouraging children to pay closer attention to the world around them.
2. Increased Environmental Awareness: Through poetry, kids can learn about different ecosystems, animals, and natural phenomena in an engaging way.
3. Emotional Connection to Nature: Poems can evoke feelings of wonder, respect, and care for the environment, fostering a personal connection to nature.
4. Vocabulary Expansion: Nature poetry introduces children to new words related to flora, fauna, and natural processes.
5. Interdisciplinary Learning: Nature poems can tie into science lessons, creating cross-curricular connections.
6. Creativity Boost: Reading and writing nature poetry can inspire children’s imagination and creative expression.
7. Mindfulness Practice: Nature poems often encourage a moment of quiet reflection, helping kids develop mindfulness skills.

Fantastic Nature Poets for Kids

There are so many wonderful poets who write about nature for children. Here are just a few that I highly recommend:

• Joyce Sidman: Her books, like Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, blend beautiful poetry with fascinating scientific information about nature.
• Deborah Ruddell: In Today at the Bluebird Cafe, Ruddell crafts whimsical, accessible poems about various birds.
• Charles Ghigna: Also known as “Father Goose,” Ghigna’s books of nature poetry, such as Animal Tracks and his My Little Planet series, are both playful and insightful.
• Douglas Florian: His collections, like Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs and Windsongs: Poems about Weather focus on specific groups of animals or features of nature, combining clever wordplay with scientific facts and beautiful illustrations.

These poets, among many others, have a knack for capturing nature’s essence in ways that resonate with young readers.

Bringing Nature Poetry into Daily Life

Now, you might be wondering, “How can I use nature poetry to help kids connect with the environment?” Here are some ideas:

1. Poetry Nature Walks: Take kids on a walk and encourage them to jot down observations. Later, help them turn these notes into poems.
2. Seasonal Poetry Reading: Choose poems that relate to the current season, helping children notice seasonal changes.
3. Animal of the Week: Feature a different animal each week, reading poems about it and encouraging kids to write their own.
4. Plant a Poetry Garden: Create a garden and label plants with short poems about them.
5. Nature Journal: Encourage kids to keep a journal where they can write poems about their nature observations.
6. Poetry Field Guide: Have children create their own field guide to local plants or animals, including both factual information and original poems.
7. Nature Poetry Performances: Organize events where children can recite nature poems, perhaps in an outdoor setting.

Writing Nature Poetry with Kids

Encouraging children to write their own nature poems can be a powerful way to deepen their connection with the environment. Here are some tips:

1. Start with Observation: Encourage kids to use all their senses when observing nature.
2. Use Concrete Images: Guide children to describe specific details rather than general impressions.
3. Incorporate Movement: Have kids act out the natural elements they’re writing about.
4. Play with Perspective: Suggest writing from the point of view of an animal or plant.
5. Experiment with Forms: Try different poetic forms like haiku, cinquain, or acrostic poems.

The Bigger Picture

By introducing children to nature poetry, we’re doing more than just teaching them about literature or science. We’re helping them develop a personal, emotional connection to the natural world. This connection is crucial in fostering environmental stewardship and raising a generation that cares deeply about protecting our planet.

Moreover, the skills developed through engaging with nature poetry—keen observation, descriptive language use, and appreciation for detail—are valuable across all areas of learning and life.

Nature poetry offers a unique and powerful way to connect kids with the environment. It encourages them to slow down, observe closely, and express their experiences with the natural world. Whether reading the work of established poets or creating their own verses, children can develop a deeper appreciation for nature through poetry.

So, I encourage parents, teachers, and caregivers to bring more nature poetry into children’s lives. Take a poem on your next nature walk. Start your science lessons with a relevant verse. Encourage kids to write about the birds at the feeder or the changes in the seasons.

Remember, every poem about nature is a small act of preservation—capturing a moment, an observation, a wonder. By fostering a love for nature poetry in children, we’re not just raising good readers or writers—we’re nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards, one verse at a time.

Here’s to the power of poetry in connecting kids with the magnificent, mysterious, and endlessly inspiring world of nature!

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Kenn Nesbitt

Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.

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Latest posts by Kenn Nesbitt (see all)

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Throughout the school year, I visit many, many schools around the world virtually through Zoom, Meet, Teams, Skype, WebEx, etc. In other words, I can visit your class or your school online whenever it’s convenient for you, for a fee.

However, if your class or school would like to visit with me, but you don’t have a budget for virtual field trips, I also provide webinars in conjunction with Streamable Learning, the leading provider of interactive livestreams in the K-12 market in the US and Canada. Through quality educational content and an easy-to-use platform, Streamable Learning aims to in introduce interactive livestreams as a valuable supplemental tool for classrooms and families seeking to inspire and educate their K-12 students.

During the 2024-25 school year, I will be doing nearly two dozen online webinars, including interactive poetry-writing lessons and programs on famous children’s poets from Dr. Seuss to Shel Silverstein. Schools are invited to join any of these sessions for free as my guest.

Streamable Learning and Zoom

Streamable Learning offers a convenient, cost-effective, and comprehensive calendar of interactive livestreams delivered by subject matter experts and designed to supplement your existing and future lesson plans. To discover hundreds of engaging, educational programs, have a look a their Livestream Calendar.

I have been offering interactive poetry livestreams through Streamable Learning for several years now, and I hope you’ll be able to join me this year. You can register and participate in as many of these upcoming sessions as you like.

If you would like to attend one of my programs, or to see full program descriptions, please click on the links in the Program Title column.

When you click on the link, you will need to fill out just a few items and once you have finished the form, you will then receive an email with the livestream link. If you do not, please check your spam folder. It is possible that the livestream link will end up there. To join the program, you will need to install the Zoom app. You can download this free app at www.zoom.us/download and click on “Zoom Client for Meetings.” If you have any difficulty, contact carlos.palomo@clickvieweducation.com.

2024-25 Livestream Schedule

If you would prefer to arrange a private interactive videoconference for your class or school only, simply click here to schedule an online author visit. I look forward to seeing your students online!

I’m excited to share a few of my haiku that I wrote for Scholastic Storyworks 3, a multi-genre classroom magazine for Grade 3. These short, vivid poems capture playful scenes from nature—a dragonfly dodging a frog’s tongue, a bug’s zigzagging flight, and the peaceful murkiness of a turtle’s pond.

The incredibly detailed illustrations by Andy Elkerton bring each haiku to life, making the connection between poetry and nature even more tangible for young readers. Students can explore the beauty of haiku and even try writing their own by focusing on the small wonders of the natural world.