You may know April is National Poetry Month, but to dig a little deeper, I asked Shannon Anderson—author, poet and teacher—to the blog to explain why poetry is important for children to read and write. She also shares tips for teaching poetry to young writers.
Shannon, what is National Poetry Month and when was it created?
I’ll admit, I had to look up the history behind this special month! Here you go: National Poetry Month was first started in April of 1996 by the Academy of American Poets to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry.
Many schools celebrate reading and writing poetry with creative activities and celebrations. As a teacher, I LOVE the “excuse” to encourage kids to read and write more poems during this time. As an author, I have been to many schools this month to share the joy of poetry and write poems with kids in writing workshops. My creative writing clubs have also had a blast this month, focusing solely on poetry creation.
Why is poetry important for children?
That is a big question! I can answer first as a mom, remembering back to my girls loving the sing-song rhythms of stories written in rhyme. The sounds and plays on words were pure enjoyment! Poetry helped them develop a love for books and reading.
As a teacher, I can tell you that poetry does SO much for language development. Reading rhyming poetry can help kids with predicting, an important comprehension skill. Reading aloud helps kids build their reading fluency. Poetry is the perfect genre for introducing interesting vocabulary words and figurative language. And, in my opinion, it is one of the best ways to inspire creativity and self-expression with students’ writing skills.
How did you kick off National Poetry Month with your classroom?
By the time April has rolled around, my class has already been introduced to all kinds of writing. I actually start out my first week of school with a narrative rhyming story from our reading series. I pair this, When Charlie McButton Lost Power, with Penelope Perfect, to show the kids the magic of different rhyming schemes. Many students don’t even realize authors intentionally plan which lines rhyme!
The first week of Poetry Month, I used my book MONSTER & DRAGON WRITE POEMS to show the kids other types of poetry that do not rhyme. Examples include acrostics, cinquain, haiku, and others. Through this mentor text, they see a fun story about a Monster & Dragon writing poems and want to try them out themselves.
Where can teachers, parents, and other writers go to find more information about poetry…and where can they find your book?
Being the poetry geek that I am, I wrote a big blog post about this, pulling together many great resources I have found. You can read the post here: Preparing for Poetry Month. MONSTER & DRAGON WRITE POEMS is available here.
Shannon, thanks for sharing your love of poetry. April poem showers bring May writing powers! (Um, maybe you can tell I’m not much of a poet.)
What are you working on now?
I have a busy summer of writing ahead! I’m working on three books for teachers and have two more books for kids coming out next year. I’m sure it’s no surprise that one of the books for teachers is about writing. I’ll be sharing my lesson ideas, motivators, and tips for inspiring and teaching young writers. You can visit my website for updates and my newest releases: shannonisteaching.com. I have a link there to sign up for my monthly newsletter as well. I gather and post all of my favorite new finds for the month in these. (For teachers and writers.)
Shannon is giving away a free Skype poetry visit to the classroom of your choice.
Leave one comment to enter and a random winner will be chosen next week!
Good luck!
29 comments
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April 23, 2019 at 8:14 am
Doris Fisher
It’s great you have written books in rhyme. I, too, have nationally published books in rhyme. But beginning writers who rhyme poorly should stay away from it. As a freelance picture book editor, I see way too many attempts that are definitely awful. Stories are fine, also written in prose.
April 23, 2019 at 9:14 am
Matt Forrest Esenwine
I’ve seen a couple of Shannon’s books, but did not realize she wrote poetry, as well. (Poetry is how I first beame published in kidlit, so it’s near & dear to my heart!) It’s important that kids understand poetry doesn’t need to rhyme, and that’s something I try to impress upon them (and teachers!) when I do visits. Thanks for sharing.
April 23, 2019 at 7:14 pm
authorshannonanderson
I agree, Matt. When I do writing workshops with kids, I often choose a non-rhyming form to introduce kids to.
April 23, 2019 at 9:23 am
Laurel Ranveig Abell
I love rhyming picture books!! I’ll add this one to my collection!
April 23, 2019 at 7:16 pm
authorshannonanderson
Awesome! I hope you love it. The story itself is not written in rhyme, but the characters write various types of poetry that you get to see in the book. Some rhyme and some do not.
April 23, 2019 at 9:31 am
Angie
I’m so glad you are promoting language development, reading, and writing! When I was teaching preschool, we did so many different activities to build fun and language enrichment into our days. Kids love learning! Thanks for sharing!
April 23, 2019 at 10:00 am
Lauri Meyers
I was library mom yesterday, and I heard the media specialist say, “Poetry is important because you can’t be wrong. Poetry is your feelings, and no one can say your feelings are wrong.”
April 23, 2019 at 7:18 pm
authorshannonanderson
I love the way she expressed that. So true! Kids also love that you get to break all kinds of grammar rules in poetry. 🙂
April 23, 2019 at 10:43 am
danielledufayet
Well written rhyming books are addicting! I think they make children fall in love with books – it did for me! Congrats. 🙂
April 23, 2019 at 10:52 am
Lisa Riddiough
Great interview! Rhyming poems and books made me feel smart when I was a kid. To me, they are the key that unlocks the magic for reluctant readers.
April 23, 2019 at 11:00 am
marsha e wright
Shannon, I toss confetti and celebrate your work in lighting the spark for books! Words, rhythms, and rhyme compose much of the music in language whether the text is prose or poetry. Way to go to get children turned on to reading and writing! Your Little Gliding Hood and Normal Norman are fun to read aloud, for the words “rock and roll” so easily off the tongue. Thank you for sharing your passion and talent. Sending you good thoughts for your continued success.
April 23, 2019 at 7:22 pm
authorshannonanderson
Thank you, Marsha. (Little Red Gliding Hood and Normal Norman are actually Tara’s books, but they are awesome.) You are so right that kids love the musical language of poetic books. 🙂
April 23, 2019 at 11:04 am
Shelly Wilson
Thank you for being a poetry champion! I know a 1st grade class who would be SO EXCITED for a Skype visit with you!
April 23, 2019 at 11:11 am
Sheri Radovich
Sounds like fun with all the different types of poetry and starting the year with it so they listen and create with it. What grade did you use this with?
April 23, 2019 at 7:25 pm
authorshannonanderson
Hi Sheri~ I teach 3rd grade now, but used all of these ideas when I taught first grade too. The cool thing about poetry is that the little kids can do it and the big kids can take it to the next level with even more figurative language and creative expression.
April 23, 2019 at 11:46 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
April writing brings May lighting (what?)
April 23, 2019 at 11:55 am
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing.
April 23, 2019 at 11:58 am
Christine Pinto
Thanks for the reasons for teaching poetry and the skills kids learn from it. That paragraph alone is worth a mint to me as I teach writing of all forms to kids. Go poetry!
April 23, 2019 at 12:03 pm
tiffanydickinson
Thank you both. I learned some things. Long live poetry!
April 23, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Linda Mitchell
Wonderful! We do poetry at my school…and I am a teacher writer (with LOTS of others). I love the idea of this book and that it’s published. Many congratulations. I love the comment above from Lucky Jo B. April writing brings May…………….I’m going to say deLIGHTing.
April 23, 2019 at 8:56 pm
kathydoherty1
Poetry is delicious! . . . and so is your book!
April 23, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Kellie
Poetry is the best!!
April 24, 2019 at 9:34 am
nrompella
Poetry is not utilized as much as it could and should! There is so much to learn from it. Thanks for the post. 🙂
April 24, 2019 at 11:42 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
I love the calendar on your website! Thanks!
April 24, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Bettie Boswell
Thanks for sharing poetry information. It would be fun to have one of my classes see you.
April 24, 2019 at 4:45 pm
EmmieRWerner
Loved using poetry in my first grade classroom because the kids always loved rhyming books ……..as did my kids❤️
April 24, 2019 at 7:46 pm
Lenora Biemans
Inspirational! Thank you!
April 24, 2019 at 10:30 pm
seschipper
Love introducing poetry at an early age! Thanks for shring your thoughts !! 🙂
April 27, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Karan Greene
You help make poetry less scary and a lot of fun! Thanks!