March 21^st  - World Poetry Day

Introduction

In 1999, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared March 21^st as World Poetry Day. Designed to promote the love of poetry through reading, writing, listening and composing, World Poetry Day celebrates all types of poetry and all poets, from Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss!

(K-2) Listening, Speaking, Art 

Gather students and read the poem, “Five Little Flowers” (Author Unknown)

Five little flowers growing in a row,

The first one said, “I’m purple you know.”

The second one said, ‘I’m pink as can be.”

The third one said, “I’m blue like the sea.”

The fourth one said, “I’m a very red fellow.”

The fifth one said, “My colour is yellow.”

Then out came the sun, big and bright

And five little flowers smiled in delight.

Explain that what you read to them was a simple poem. Ask students whether they liked the poem and why. Do they know any other poems they can share?

Divide students into five groups by labeling them purple, pink, blue, red, and yellow. Invite each student to draw and colour things that represent the colour they have been given. They may use crayons, markers, paint, construction paper, words, pictures etc.  

Once the artwork has been completed, teach the specified line to each group. Invite all students to stand up and show their artwork as they share the line that represents their colour.

Ask:

• Did you enjoy this activity? Why?
• Did you find it easy or hard to remember the words in your line? What helped you to remember your line? 

Invite students to bring in any books from home that contain poems. For more information about teaching poetry, check out the following here.

(3-5) Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing, Art

Ask students if they can tell you what poetry is. Share ideas and offer the following as some of the elements of poetry:

• Poetry is a genre of literature.
• Poems are often written in verses or stanzas.
• Poems typically have a rhythm or “beat.”
• Poetry often evokes feelings or moods.
• Comparisons are often used in poetry.
• Poems often create a picture in the reader’s mind.
• Poems do not have to rhyme.

Divide students into small groups and provide each with a large sheet of paper and a marker.

Explain that today they will be invited to write a short poem that rhymes. The first step is to select a word to put in the center of the page, and then brainstorm words that rhyme with it. Suggest that students pick a simple word that would have lots of rhyming options such as an animal, a colour, an emotion, etc. 

After the brainstorming map has been created, invite each group to write a simple poem (one or two stanzas). They may also choose to illustrate their poem.

Share poems with the class. Ask:

• Did you find this activity easy or difficult? Why?
• Do you think it is easier to write a rhyming poem or one that doesn’t rhyme? Why?
• Why do you think all people regardless of age enjoy poetry? 

Take the activity a step farther by inviting the groups to now write a simple poem that doesn’t rhyme!

(6-8) Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Representing 

Ask students how poetry is different from other forms of literature. For example, when you flip through a book, how do you spot poems, compared to short stories, a novel, etc.? Share responses and then try as a group to draft a description of poetry. Offer the following as some of the elements of poetry:

• Poetry is written in lines.
• Groups of lines with breaks in between are called stanzas or verses (as opposed to sentences and paragraphs).
• Poetry often has a rhythm or “beat.”
• Figurative language (such as simile, metaphor, personification) is often an important element.
• Poetry often uses rhyme.
• A poem typically has a mood (humorous, sad, happy, etc.) and appeals to the reader’s emotions. 

You may also wish to refer to the following resources:

What does prose and poetry mean? What's the difference?

Poetry and Prose: What's the Difference?

Explain that there are many forms of poetry. Here are a few:

• Acrostic: A poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word.
• Cinquain:  A five line poem that does not rhyme
  • Line 1: 2 syllables
  • Line 2: 4 syllables
  • Line 3: 6 syllables
  • Line 4: 8 syllables
  • Line 5: 2 syllables
• Haiku: A three line poem that has 17 syllables
  • Line 1: 5 syllables
  • Line 2: 7 syllables
  • Line 3: 5 syllables
• Shape Poem:  A descriptive poem that is written in the shape of the subject. 

Invite students to work with a partner or alone. Their task is to select one of the poetic forms above, research it, and review some samples. Once they are familiar with the characteristics of that form, they use it to compose their own poem. Share with the class and ask:

• What did you like about this activity?
• What did you learn about poetry?
• Why do you think young and old enjoy poetry all over the world?
• What is the favourite poem you heard today? Why?

For samples and additional types of poetry check out the following:

Five Types of Poems for Elementary School

Types of Poems for Kids

Special Days This Month