Aspire to Inspire Classroom Resources Round-Up: Poetry

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Does it finally look like spring where you're at? I think poet Sara Teasdale expresses the atmosphere around here right now! 

The roofs are shining from the rain,

The sparrows twitter as they fly,

And with a windy April grace

The little clouds go by.

Yet the back-yards are bare and brown

With only one unchanging tree

I could not be so sure of spring

Save that it sings for me.

--"April" by Sara Teasdale

April brings more than just showers and May flowers. It's National Poetry Month, too. Here is my latest Aspire to Inspire Classroom Resources round-up of 10 FREE online resources that will help your students become "well-versed" in poetry!

National Poetry Month Official Site

Here you'll find a collection of teacher instructional resources, a library of poets and poems, Poem-a-Day, poster contest, and the Dear Poet project, and more. 

10 Ways to Use Poetry in the Classroom

This article explores 10 elements of poetry to study, complete with recommended mentor texts and Web sites. 

20 Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month

There are some pretty creative ideas for observing National Poetry month on this list. Check out the Bonus Potato Pick at the end of the post if your class is courageous enough!

Poets' Corner

This vast and well-maintained collection of poetry (7,000+ poems by 800 poets) is a fantastic resource with search capabilities as well as short poet biographies. 

Upper Elementary Poetry Open Mic Lesson

Watch poetry in motion in an upper elementary class with this creative lesson that engages students in poetry readings. 

Upper Elementary The Best Way to Teach Poetry

Pam from Rockin' Resources takes a year-long approach to teaching poetry with a comprehensive list of diverse and engaging lessons.

Calling on the Muse: Exercises to Unlock the Poet Within

Inspire young poets with these exercises in self-expression, imagination, and thinking in poetry instead of prose. This is a great resource for teaching beyond poetic structures and theory.

The Poetry Friendly Classroom Video

This short video includes a few interviews with classroom teachers who explain some methods they use to teach poetry that seek to make poetry relevant and inclusive. 

Six Technology-Based Poetry Ideas for Students Who Think They Hate Poetry

Using technology devices, social media, apps, Web sites, and more, this teacher provides some easy-to-do instructional ideas to engage even the most reluctant student of poetry.

Middle School What Are the Elements of Poetry

This lesson uses Gary Soto's "Ode to Pablo's Tennis Shoes" to teach about form, mood, implications, figurative language, and originality (suggested grades 6-8).

While I specifically focused on upper elementary and middle school resources, many of these can also be adapted to younger or older students. 

Did you/have you used any of these resources? What do you think? Leave a comment!