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Building Emotional Intelligence with Poetry: Helping Kids Express Feelings

Building Emotional Intelligence illustration with Poetry

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.

The Magic of Poetic Language

There’s something special about the way poetry speaks to kids. Unlike regular stories or conversations, poems use vivid imagery, rhythmic patterns, and clever wordplay to convey feelings. This unique approach often makes it easier for children to tackle emotions that might otherwise feel too big or scary to talk about.

When I visit schools, kids will often give me poems that they have written. While some are just silly rhymes, many times their poems are a way of expressing the emotions they are experiencing in their lives, from the joy of getting a new pet to the sadness of losing a grandparent. Like drawing a picture, writing a poem gives them an outlet for emotional expression that is simple, short, and easier than going into great detail, but still conveys what they are feeling.

Reading Poems to Recognize Emotions

Reading poetry aloud is a great way to introduce kids to a wide range of emotions. It’s amazing to see children’s faces as they recognize their own experiences in the words of a poem.

For instance, my poem “Sick Day” often gets knowing nods from kids who’ve tried to convince their parents they’re too ill for school. It’s a lighthearted way to talk about the mix of guilt and hope that comes with a little fibbing. By contrast, my poem “Good Morning, Dear Students” shares the excitement of what looks to be the best day ever at school, and the subsequent letdown when the students find out the Principal is playing a prank on them. By discussing these poetic portrayals of emotions, children learn to identify and name their own feelings more accurately and in a way that feels safe and non-threatening.

Writing Poems to Express Feelings

While reading poetry is valuable, I believe the real magic happens when kids start writing their own poems. There’s something about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) that helps children sort through their emotions.

I always encourage young writers to play with words and have fun with their poems. Sometimes, the silliest rhymes can lead to the most profound emotional insights. I’ve seen kids who struggle to talk about their feelings light up when given the chance to write a haiku about a bad day or an acrostic poem about their biggest fears.

Poetry Activities for Emotional Learning

Here are some of my favorite activities to help kids explore emotions through poetry:

  1. Emotion Color Poems: Ask kids to associate colors with different feelings and write a short poem for each. You might be surprised by the depth of their observations!
  2. Metaphor Mania: Challenge children to compare their emotions to objects or animals. “My excitement is a bouncy ball” or “My anger is a grumpy bear” can lead to some fantastic discussions.
  3. Poetry Journals: Encourage kids to create a poetry journal, writing a short poem each day about how they’re feeling. Over time, this can help them track their emotional patterns.
  4. Group Poems: Work together as a class or family to create a poem about a shared experience. This helps kids realize that many emotions are universal.

The Power of Rhythm and Rhyme

As someone who loves a good rhyme, I can’t overlook the impact of rhythm and rhyme in emotional expression. There’s something about a catchy rhyme that makes feelings stick in our minds. Just think about Dr. Seuss and how his rhythmic stories often carried deep emotional messages.

I often use rhyming couplets (I like to call them super-short poems) as a quick exercise for kids to express their feelings. It’s amazing how much emotion can be packed into just two rhyming lines!

Poetry as a Safe Space

One of the things I love most about poetry is how it provides a safe space for kids to explore tough emotions. Writing about sadness, anger, or fear in a poem can feel less scary than talking about these feelings directly.

When working with kids to write poems, I always try to create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their poems if they want to. It’s important to respect their privacy and offer support if any concerning issues come up in their writing.

Wrapping Up

As a children’s poet, nothing makes me happier than seeing kids discover the joy of poetry. But beyond just having fun with words, I truly believe that poetry is a powerful tool for developing emotional intelligence.

By reading, writing, and sharing poems, children can build a richer emotional vocabulary, improve their ability to express their feelings, and develop greater empathy for others. So the next time your child or student is struggling with big emotions, why not suggest writing a poem? You might be amazed at the insights that emerge through the power of poetic expression.

Remember, every child has a poet inside them, just waiting for the right words to come out. Let’s give them the tools to express themselves and watch their emotional intelligence bloom!

The Big Three: Exploring the Main Types of Poetry

Today, we’re going to explore the three main categories of poems: Narrative, Lyric, and Descriptive poetry. Think of these as the three flavors of ice cream in the poetry shop. Each one is delicious in its own way, and knowing about them can help you enjoy poetry even more!

Narrative, Lyric, and Descriptive Poetry

Before we dive in, it’s important to understand that these big categories we’re going to explore are different from specific poetic “forms” you might have heard of, like limericks, sonnets, or diamantes.

Think of it this way: if poetry were music, the categories we’re discussing (Narrative, Lyric, and Descriptive) would be like genres of music—hip hop, rock, or classical. The specific forms, on the other hand, are more like the instruments—guitar, piano, or drums. Just as you can play rock music on a guitar or a piano, you can write a narrative poem as a sonnet or a limerick. These categories describe what the poem does, while forms describe how the poem is structured. Make sense? Now, let’s explore these categories!

Narrative Poetry: Telling a Story in Verse

Imagine you’re sitting around a campfire, and someone is telling a story. But instead of speaking normally, the storyteller starts rhyming and using poetic language. That’s kind of what narrative poetry is like! These poems tell a story from beginning to end, just like a short story or novel, but they do it with all the cool tools that poetry offers.

Some things you might find in narrative poems include:

  • A series of events that happen
  • Characters who do things and say things
  • A plot with a beginning, middle, and end
  • Descriptions of settings and events
  • Dialogue (people talking to each other)

Famous examples of narrative poetry include “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer and “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (AKA “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”) by Clement Clarke Moore. Even many of my own poems, like “I Made a Meme this Morning,” fall into this category.

Why it’s cool: Narrative poems are like getting a story and a poem in one package. They’re great for people who love adventures and tales but also enjoy the rhythm and rhyme of poetry.

Lyric Poetry: Expressing Feelings and Thoughts

Now, let’s say instead of telling a story, you want to share how you feel about something. Maybe it’s how much you love pizza, or how sad you feel when it rains on the weekend. That’s what lyric poetry does—it expresses emotions, thoughts, and personal experiences.

Lyric poems often:

  • Focus on feelings and ideas rather than events
  • Use lots of descriptive language
  • Might rhyme, but don’t have to
  • Can be short or long

Some famous lyric poems are “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson and “Eletelephony” by Laura E. Richards.

Why it’s cool: Lyric poetry lets you dive deep into feelings and experiences. It’s like putting your heart on paper!

Dramatic Poetry: A Special Type of Lyric Poetry

There’s a special kind of lyric poetry called dramatic poetry. In these poems, the poet writes from the point of view of a specific character or persona. It’s like the poet is putting on a costume and pretending to be someone else! Dramatic poems are meant to be read aloud to an audience, as if one is in a play, sharing their feelings with the world.

Dramatic poems often:

  • Have a single character speaking
  • Reveal the character’s thoughts and feelings
  • Might be written as a monologue (one person talking)

Famous examples of dramatic poetry include “Homework! Oh, Homework!” by Jack Prelutsky and “Sick” by Shel Silverstein.

Why it’s cool: Dramatic poetry lets you step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from their perspective. It’s like acting, but in poem form!

Descriptive Poetry: Painting Pictures with Words

Last but not least, we have descriptive poetry. This is where poets become word painters, using language to create vivid images in the reader’s mind. Instead of telling a story or expressing feelings, these poems focus on describing something in detail.

Descriptive poems often:

  • Use lots of adjectives and sensory details (also known as “imagery“)
  • Might describe a person, place, object, or event
  • Try to make you feel like you’re really there, seeing what the poet sees

“The Tyger” by William Blake is a famous descriptive poem, painting a picture of a fierce tiger with words.

Why it’s cool: Descriptive poetry challenges you to really observe the world around you and find interesting ways to describe what you see. It’s like taking a picture with words instead of a camera!

Mixing It Up

Now, here’s a secret: many poems don’t fit neatly into just one of these categories. Poets love to mix things up! You might find a narrative poem that’s also very descriptive, or a lyric poem that tells a bit of a story. That’s the fun of poetry—there are no strict rules, and you can blend different styles to create something unique.

Why Understanding These Types Matters

Knowing about these different types of poetry can help you in a few ways:

  • It can make reading poetry more fun because you understand what the poet is trying to do.
  • It can help you write your own poems by giving you different approaches to try.
  • It can deepen your appreciation for the skill and creativity of poets.

In my own writing, I love playing with all these types of poetry. Sometimes I’ll tell a funny story in a narrative poem. Other times I’ll describe a pet, a family member or a piece of technology in great detail in a descriptive poem. And sometimes I’ll express how it feels to be a kid dealing with homework or chores in a lyric or dramatic poem. Each type of poem lets me connect with readers in a different way.

So there you have it—the three main flavors in the ice cream shop of poetry: Narrative, Lyric (including its cousin, Dramatic), and Descriptive. Each one offers a different way to play with words and share ideas.

Remember, these categories are just tools to help us understand and talk about poetry. The most important thing is to read lots of poems, enjoy them, and if you feel inspired, write your own! Don’t worry too much about what category your poem fits into—just have fun with words and express yourself.

Keep reading, keep writing, and keep loving poetry!

Kenn Nesbitt
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Nature Poetry: Connecting Kids with the Environment Through Verses

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.

Nature Poetry

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:

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!

Kenn Nesbitt
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Free Interactive Livestreams for 2024-25

Online School Visit

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 LivestreamStreamable 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

Date Time Program Title Grades
Friday, September 13, 2024 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Funny Nursery Rhymes 2-6
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 1:10 PM EDT Legends of Poetry: Shel Silverstein 2-6
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Haiku 3-5
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 12:10 PM EDT Fun and Spooky Halloween Poems K-5
Thursday, November 14, 2024 12:10 PM EST Writing Poetry: Onomatopoeia Poems 3-5
Thursday, November 21, 2024 12:10 PM EST One-Hit Wonders of Poetry 1-6
Friday, December 6, 2024 2:10 PM EST Writing Poetry: How to Write Winter Poems 3-6
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 2:10 PM EST Fun and Famous Holiday Poems 1-4
Friday, January 17, 2025 1:10 PM EST Writing Poetry: How to Write Acrostics 3-5
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 2:10 PM EST Must-Read Poetry Books 3-6
Thursday, February 13, 2025 12:10 PM EST Writing Poetry: How to Write Valentine’s Day Poems 3-5
Monday, February 24, 2025 1:10 PM EST Legends of Poetry: Jack Prelutsky 3-6
Monday, March 3, 2025 1:10 PM EST Legends of Poetry: Dr. Seuss PK-4
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 1:10 PM EDT Improving Word Choice in Poetry 3-6
Thursday, March 27, 2025 12:10 PM EDT What’s in a Rhyme? 1-3
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Celebrating National Poetry Month 2-5
Monday, April 7, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write FUNNY Poems 3-6
Monday, April 14, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Spring Poems 3-6
Monday, April 21, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Repetition Poems 3-6
Thursday, May 8, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Mother’s Day Poems 2-5
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Legends of Poetry: Roald Dahl 3-6
Thursday, June 5, 2025 12:10 PM EDT Writing Poetry: How to Write Summer Poems 3-6

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!

Nature Haiku in Storyworks 3

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.

Nature Haikus by Kenn Nesbitt

Poetic Performances: Enhancing Public Speaking Skills in Elementary Classrooms

Today I’d like to explore a topic that’s close to my heart: using poetry performances to boost public speaking skills in elementary classrooms. As someone who’s had the joy of performing poetry for countless young audiences, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this combination can be. So, let’s dive into the world of poetic performances and discover how they can help our young learners become confident, articulate speakers!

Poetic Performances

The Power of Poetry Performance

There’s something magical that happens when a child stands up and recites a poem. It’s not just about memorizing words—it’s about bringing those words to life, conveying emotion, and connecting with an audience. This process can be transformative, helping children develop crucial skills that extend far beyond the realm of poetry.

Benefits of Poetry Recitation

  1. Confidence Building: Standing in front of peers and delivering a poem helps children build self-confidence. Each successful recitation is a small victory that contributes to a child’s overall self-esteem.
  2. Vocal Skills: Reciting poetry helps children develop clarity of speech, proper enunciation, and effective use of volume and tone.
  3. Body Language: Through poetry performance, children learn the importance of eye contact, posture, and gestures in communication.
  4. Memorization: The process of memorizing poems exercises the brain and improves overall memory skills.
  5. Emotional Intelligence: Interpreting and conveying the emotions in a poem helps children better understand and express their own feelings.
  6. Literary Appreciation: Performing poetry deepens a child’s understanding and appreciation of language and literature.
  7. Overcoming Stage Fright: Regular poetry recitations can help children become more comfortable with public speaking, reducing anxiety over time.

Implementing Poetry Performances in the Classroom

Now, you might be wondering, “This sounds great, but how do I actually make it happen in my classroom?” Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. Start Small: Begin with short, simple poems and gradually increase complexity as students gain confidence.
  2. Group Recitations: Have the whole class or select groups of students recite poems together before asking for individual volunteers. This can help ease anxiety for more hesitant students. Take a look at the Poetry Theater section of the Activities page on this website for ways that two or three students can perform poems together.
  3. Themed Poetry Days: Organize special days where students perform poems related to a specific theme, such as animals, friends and family, or holidays.
  4. Poetry Parties and Slams: Plan an open-mic poetry party. Or for older students, organize friendly poetry slam competitions where they can perform their own poems or favorite works by other poets.
  5. Cross-Curricular Connections: Incorporate poems related to topics in other subjects, like science or history, to reinforce learning across the curriculum.
  6. Record Performances: Use video to record students’ performances. This allows them to see their progress over time and can be a wonderful keepsake for families.

Tips for Successful Poetry Recitations

To help your students make the most of their poetry performances, I’ve written an article called “How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert.” It’s full of tips and tricks that can help turn a good recitation into a great one. Here are a few key points:

  1. Understand the Poem: Encourage students to really think about what the poem means. Understanding leads to better interpretation and delivery.
  2. Practice, Practice, Practice: Regular practice is key to a confident performance.
  3. Speak Clearly and Slowly: Remind students that it’s not a race. Clear enunciation is more important than speed.
  4. Use Appropriate Emotion: Help students identify the emotions in the poem and express them through their voice and facial expressions.
  5. Make Eye Contact: Teach students to look at their audience, not just the floor or the ceiling.
  6. Use Natural Gestures: Encourage students to use hand movements and body language that feel natural and enhance the poem’s meaning.

Overcoming Challenges

Of course, implementing poetry performances isn’t without its challenges. Some students may be shy or resistant to the idea of public speaking. Here are some ways to address these issues:

  1. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks and make mistakes.
  2. Offer Choices: Allow students to choose poems they connect with personally. This can increase their motivation to perform.
  3. Provide Alternatives: For extremely anxious students, consider allowing them to record their recitations or perform for a smaller group initially.
  4. Celebrate Effort: Focus on improvement and effort rather than perfection. Every step towards confident public speaking should be celebrated.

The Long-Term Impact

The skills developed through poetry performances extend far beyond the elementary classroom. By helping students become confident public speakers at a young age, we’re setting them up for success in high school, college, and their future careers. Plus, we’re instilling a love for language and literature that can last a lifetime.

Integrating poetry performances into elementary classrooms is a powerful way to develop public speaking skills, boost confidence, and foster a love for language. It’s not just about creating good speakers—it’s about empowering children to find their voices and share them with the world.

So, I encourage you to bring the joy of poetry performance into your classrooms. Start small, be patient, and watch as your students blossom into confident, articulate speakers. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next great orator or poet laureate!

Remember, every great speaker started with a single word, and every confident performance began with a shaky first step. Here’s to the power of poetry and the amazing potential it can unlock in our young learners!

Kenn Nesbitt
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Introducing Printable Poetry Activity Worksheets for Your Classroom

I’m thrilled to announce an exciting new feature that I have been working on all summer, and that I believe you are going to love. I have just launched a comprehensive collection of downloadable activity worksheets, designed to complement the poems on this website and enhance your students’ learning experience.

My Koala's Not a Doctor Poetry Worksheet

I know firsthand the challenges of engaging young minds with poetry. I know that’s not always easy to make verse come alive in the classroom or to help students see the relevance of poetic language in their daily lives. That’s why I’ve created these worksheets—to bridge the gap between the joy of reading poetry and the practical skills your students need to develop.

This new worksheet collection is organized to cater to different grade levels and learning objectives. I currently have an initial collection of 80 unique activity worksheets and am adding new ones daily, with plans to expand to hundreds more in the near future. In addition to being organized by grade level, these resources are divided into 12 categories, each focusing on a specific skill set or learning approach:

  1. Context Clues: These worksheets help students decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words, a crucial skill for expanding vocabulary and comprehension.
  2. Creative Writing Prompts: Inspire your students’ imagination and boost their writing skills with prompts that build on the themes of the poems.
  3. Decoding: Challenge your students with fun decoding activities that make learning about language structure engaging.
  4. Draw and Describe: Combine visual arts with writing to help students express their understanding of poems in multiple ways.
  5. Fill-in-the-Blanks: Enhance vocabulary and reinforce understanding of context and rhyme schemes with these interactive exercises.
  6. Matching Actions to Results: Develop critical thinking skills by having students connect actions with their consequences in the context of the poems.
  7. Reading Comprehension: Ensure your students grasp the main ideas and details of each poem with targeted questions.
  8. Reading Response: Encourage personal engagement with poetry through guided response activities.
  9. Rhyming: Help students recognize and create rhymes, a fundamental aspect of poetic structure.
  10. Sequence of Events: Boost narrative understanding by having students arrange poem events in chronological order.
  11. Spelling: Reinforce spelling skills within the context of playful and memorable verses.
  12. Word Search Puzzles: Make vocabulary practice fun with themed word searches based on poems.

These worksheets are more than just busywork—they’re carefully crafted tools designed to deepen your students’ appreciation for poetry while simultaneously developing crucial language arts skills. Each worksheet is tied to a specific poem on the website, allowing for a seamless integration of reading and activity.

I understand the time constraints you face as educators. That’s why I’ve made these resources easily accessible. Poetry4kids members can download worksheets directly from individual poem pages or browse the complete collection through two convenient pages:

This organization allows you to quickly find the perfect worksheet for your lesson plan, whether you’re looking to target a specific skill or need grade-appropriate material.

It does take me a fair amount of time to create these worksheets (and many hours of programming to make this new feature available on the website), but I’m committed to making them as accessible as possible to educators like you. You can become a member for as little as $1/month through my page on Buymeacoffee.com.

And membership comes with many additional benefits. For much less than the cost of a single cup of coffee, you’ll get:

  • Access to all premium pages on Poetry4kids, including poems by grade level, poetic technique, subject, and length
  • Zero advertising on the website
  • Free eBooks for Kindle and other ereaders
  • Private, members-only email and direct messaging
  • Additional benefits for higher membership tiers, including early access to all poems and posts, free audiobooks, and even free online author visits from yours truly

Your membership not only gives you access to all these valuable resources but also supports the continued creation of new poems, writing lessons, activity worksheets, and more. It’s a win-win situation—you get top-notch teaching materials, and I get to keep creating content that educates and entertains your students.

As a fellow educator (albeit in a different capacity), I’m excited to see how you’ll use these worksheets in your classrooms. Will you use them to introduce new poems? As follow-up activities to reinforce learning? Or perhaps as fun homework assignments? The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to hear about the creative ways you incorporate them into your teaching.

Remember, poetry isn’t just about rhymes and rhythms—it’s a gateway to improving reading comprehension, expanding vocabulary, fostering creativity, enhancing literacy and fluency, and developing critical thinking skills. With these worksheets, you have a powerful new tool to make poetry an integral and enjoyable part of your language arts curriculum.

So, when you are ready to embark on this poetic journey with your students, join met at Poetry4kids.com, become a member on Buymeacoffee.com, and let’s work together to inspire the next generation of readers, writers, poetry lovers, and life-long learners. After all, who knows? The next great American poet might be sitting in your classroom right now, just waiting for the right poem and activity to spark their passion for words.

Happy teaching, and may your classrooms always be filled with the music of verse!

Kenn Nesbitt
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The Math-Poetry Connection: Using Verses to Boost Numeracy Skills

Today I’m excited to dive into a topic that might surprise some of you: the powerful connection between math and poetry. Now, I know some of you might be thinking – “Math and poetry? That’s like oil and water!” But bear with me, because these two subjects have more in common than you might think, and combining them can lead to some pretty amazing results in the classroom.

The Math-Poetry Connection

The Unexpected Harmony of Numbers and Words

At first glance, math and poetry seem to be on opposite ends of the academic spectrum. One deals with cold, hard numbers, while the other plays with the fluid beauty of language. But when you look closer, you’ll find that both math and poetry rely on patterns, structure, and precise use of symbols to convey meaning. Both require creative thinking and problem-solving skills. And both can be incredibly fun when approached with the right attitude!

How Poetry Can Enhance Math Learning

  1. Rhythm and Counting: The rhythmic nature of poetry, especially when read aloud, can help reinforce counting skills. Think about nursery rhymes like “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” – they’re not just fun to recite, they’re sneakily teaching math concepts!
  2. Pattern Recognition: Many poetic forms, like haiku or limericks, follow specific patterns. Recognizing and creating these patterns exercises the same part of the brain used in mathematical thinking.
  3. Problem-Solving: Writing poetry often involves fitting the right words into a specific structure, much like solving a puzzle. This kind of creative problem-solving is directly applicable to math.
  4. Memorization: Rhyme and rhythm make information easier to remember. That’s why so many of us learned the multiplication tables or the value of pi through little songs or rhymes.
  5. Visualization: Both poetry and math often require students to visualize abstract concepts. A well-crafted math poem can help students “see” mathematical ideas in a new way.

Practical Ideas for the Classroom

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How can poetry actually be used to boost math skills in the classroom? Here are some ideas:

  1. Math Concept Poems: Have students write poems about mathematical concepts. For example, a haiku about shapes or an acrostic about fractions. This not only reinforces the math concept but also helps students explain it in their own words.
  2. Number Rhymes: Rhymes to help remember number facts. For instance, I here’s a little nursery rhyme I wrote called “One, Two, Three, Go Climb a Tree“:
    “One, two, three, go climb a tree.
    Four, five six, collect some sticks.
    Seven, eight, nine, come down a vine.
    Count to ten, go up again.    “
  3. Shape Poetry: Combine geometry and poetry by having students write poems in the shape of what they’re describing. A poem about triangles written in a triangular shape, or a poem about a square written in a square shape. Here’s an example of one of mine:
    I Took a Walk Around the Block by Kenn Nesbitt
  4. Math Story Problems in Verse: Present math problems in poetic form. For example:
    “Two rabbits hopped into the garden,
    Then three more joined their friends.
    How many rabbits munch on carrots,
    Before the party ends?”
  5. Multiplication Rhymes: Create rhymes for multiplication facts. Like:
    “5, 6, 7, 8 is hard to forget.
    Isn’t that great?
    56 is 7 times 8″
  6. Mnemonic poems: Help students remember the order of things (e.g., the planets, metric prefixes, colors of the spectrum, etc.) with catchy rhymes, like this poem I wrote about the colors of the rainbow:
    “Red and Orange, Yellow too.
    Gorgeous Green, and brilliant Blue.
    Indigo, and Violet fly
    rainbow banners in the sky.    “
  7. Pi Day Poetry: Celebrate Pi Day (March 14) with pi-themed poetry. Challenge students to write a poem where the number of letters in each word, or the number of words on each line, corresponds to the digits of pi (3.14159…).

Books That Blend Math and Poetry

There are some fantastic books out there that beautifully combine mathematics and poetry. Here are a few standouts:

  • The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus: This delightful middle-grade novel interweaves math and poetry throughout the story of Gregory, a boy who loves writing poetry but struggles with math.
  • Mathematickles! by Betsy Franco: This innovative book presents math concepts through a series of clever and engaging poem-puzzles that encourage readers to think about math in new ways.
  • Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems by J. Patrick Lewis: In this clever collection, Lewis takes famous poems and reimagines them as math riddles, creating a unique blend of poetry appreciation and mathematical problem-solving.

These books can serve as excellent resources for teachers looking to integrate math and poetry in their classrooms, as well as for parents wanting to explore this connection with their children at home.

The Bigger Picture

By integrating poetry into math lessons (and vice versa), we’re doing more than just making these subjects more enjoyable. We’re helping students see the interconnectedness of different areas of knowledge. We’re fostering creativity and critical thinking. And perhaps most importantly, we’re showing students that math, like poetry, can be a form of self-expression and a way to describe the world around us.

Moreover, this interdisciplinary approach can be particularly helpful for students who struggle with traditional math instruction. By approaching mathematical concepts through the familiar and often less intimidating realm of language arts, we can help these students build confidence and develop a more positive attitude towards math.

I encourage educators to embrace the math-poetry connection in their classrooms. Experiment with these ideas, and don’t be afraid to come up with your own. You might be surprised at how well students respond when you blend the precision of mathematics with the creativity of poetry.

Remember, at the heart of both math and poetry is the joy of discovery—the thrill of finding patterns, solving puzzles, and expressing ideas in new and exciting ways. By bringing these two worlds together, we can help students experience that joy and develop skills that will serve them well in all areas of life.

May your classrooms be filled with the music of numbers and the poetry of mathematics!

Kenn Nesbitt
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Double Scoop: Two Ice Cream Poems for a Hot Day

Where I live, the summer heat is above 90˚ F (32˚ C) these days, which means it’s the perfect time to cool down with a little poetry and ice cream!

I’m thrilled to share a pair of my poems, “Ice Cream Float” and “Ice Cream Flowed,” featured in Scholastic Storyworks 3, a multi-genre classroom magazine for Grade 3. These poems offer two metaphorical perspectives on an ice cream cone, exploring both its delightful and messy sides.

The talented Jomike Tejido brought these metaphors to life with his vibrant illustrations. Teachers and students can dive into the figurative language and compare the poems’ different moods and imagery. Grab a cone and enjoy the read!

Double Scoop: Ice Cream Poems by Kenn Nesbitt

Ice Cream Float

My ice cream is a big balloon.
It carries me away
through clouds of creamy coolness on
this scorching summer day.
It’s frosty and refreshing.
It floats me to the moon.
To beat the heat, I love this treat…
my ice cream cone balloon.

Ice Cream Flowed

My ice cream is a ball of mud,
a scoop of icky, sticky crud.
The sludge is dripping down my hand,
my arm, my pants, my feet, the sand.
I can’t quite lick it fast enough
to stop this flood of mucky stuff.
I scream! Instead of cold and round,
it’s now a puddle on the ground.

— Kenn Nesbitt

Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Multicultural Poetry: Broadening Horizons in the Elementary Classroom

As a children’s poet, I’ve always believed in the power of poetry to open minds and hearts. Today, I want to talk to you, our dedicated elementary school teachers, about the incredible impact of multicultural poetry in your classrooms. By introducing your students to diverse voices and experiences through poetry, you’re not just teaching language arts—you’re broadening horizons and fostering empathy and understanding.

Multicultural Poetry: Broadening Horizons in the Elementary Classroom

The Importance of Diverse Voices

In our increasingly interconnected world, it’s crucial that children are exposed to a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Multicultural poetry offers a unique window into different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. It allows students to see themselves reflected in literature and to gain insights into lives different from their own.

Poetry, with its concise yet powerful format, is particularly well-suited for introducing multicultural themes. It can capture complex cultural concepts in accessible, memorable ways, making it perfect for young learners.

Spotlight on Multicultural Poets

Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the incredible poets who are enriching children’s literature with their diverse voices:

  1. Jacqueline Woodson: A former Young People’s Poet Laureate, Woodson’s poetry often explores themes of identity, family, and African American experiences. Her book Brown Girl Dreaming is a masterpiece of memoir in verse.
  2. Margarita Engle: Another former Young People’s Poet Laureate, Engle’s work often draws on her Cuban-American heritage. Her poems beautifully blend history, culture, and personal narrative.
  3. Naomi Shihab Nye: With her Palestinian-American background, Nye brings a unique perspective to children’s poetry. Her work often touches on themes of peace, connection, and finding beauty in everyday life.
  4. Elizabeth Acevedo: Though known more for her young adult novels in verse, Acevedo’s work is a powerful representation of Afro-Latinx experiences and is increasingly finding its way into upper elementary classrooms.
  5. Nikki Grimes: An award-winning poet and author, Grimes’ work often centers on African American experiences and has a musical quality that appeals to young readers.
  6. Kwame Alexander: Alexander’s poetry, often infused with themes of sports and music, resonates strongly with many young readers, particularly boys who might be reluctant to engage with poetry.

Practical Ideas for Your Classroom

Here are some ways you can incorporate multicultural poetry into your teaching:

  1. Poem of the Week: Feature a poem by a different multicultural poet each week. Discuss not just the content, but also the cultural context of the poem.
  2. Cultural Celebration Days: Use poetry as part of your celebrations of different cultural heritage months or international days.
  3. Poet Studies: Dedicate a unit to studying the life and work of a multicultural poet. This can be a great way to integrate social studies and language arts.
  4. Poetry Pen Pals: Partner with a classroom in another country or region to share culturally significant poems.
  5. Multilingual Poetry: Share bilingual poetry collections, such as those by Pat Mora and Francisco X. Alarcón. If you have ESL students, encourage them to share poems in their native languages, then work together to translate them into English.
  6. Poetry and Art: Have students create artwork inspired by multicultural poems, encouraging them to research and incorporate culturally significant visual elements.

Benefits Beyond Diversity

While broadening cultural horizons is a crucial benefit of multicultural poetry, it’s far from the only one. This approach also:

  1. Enhances Vocabulary: Students encounter words and concepts from other cultures, expanding their linguistic repertoire.
  2. Improves Comprehension: Grappling with diverse perspectives enhances students’ overall reading comprehension skills.
  3. Fosters Empathy: By seeing the world through others’ eyes, students develop greater empathy and understanding.
  4. Encourages Creativity: Exposure to diverse poetic styles can inspire students in their own creative writing.
  5. Builds Confidence: Students from diverse backgrounds feel validated when they see their cultures represented in the curriculum.

A Personal Note

In more than 25 years of visiting schools and interacting with young readers, I’ve seen firsthand the power of diverse voices in poetry. While my own background might not be as diverse as some of the poets I’ve mentioned, I believe strongly in the importance of amplifying diverse voices and experiences in children’s poetry. I encourage you to explore the works of these talented multicultural poets and to bring their words into your classrooms.

Multicultural poetry is more than just a teaching tool—it’s a bridge to understanding, a window to the world, and a mirror for diverse students to see themselves reflected in literature. By incorporating these diverse voices into your curriculum, you’re not just teaching poetry—you’re shaping open-minded, empathetic global citizens.

So, dear teachers, I encourage you to dive into the rich world of multicultural poetry. Share these diverse voices with your students, and watch as their horizons broaden, their empathy grows, and their love for poetry blossoms.

Remember, in the words of Jacqueline Woodson, “Even the silence has a story to tell you. Just listen. Listen.” Let’s listen to the diverse voices in poetry and help our students do the same.

Kenn Nesbitt
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