Writing: Poetry for Elementary Grade Levels
These sites provide examples of different forms of poetry written for kids. Includes haiku, acrostic, concrete, limerick, free verse, couplet, and cinquain. Students can read the examples and then create their own original poetry. Audio and video files are featured on some sites. Includes a link to eThemes Resources on poets and figurative language.
Grades
- 3,
- 4,
- 5,
- 6
Links
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Online Rhyming Dictionary
Type a word, and find out some of the words that it rhymes with. This website can be helpful when you are writing poetry.
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Giggle Poetry
This site for kids has links and activities devoted to poetry. Includes poetry to read, poem of the week, read and rate riddles, poetry class, and poetry contest. NOTE: The site includes ads.
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ABC Teach: How to Write Haiku
Students can use this worksheet to write haiku.
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ABC Teach: Haiku Contest
Read Haiku poems written by students.
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ABC Teach: How to Write a Cinquain
This two-page PDF file explains a cinquain poem.
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Scholastic: Poetry
Explore the exercises found under the three links to different poets. Students can even post their poetry online.
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Scholastic: Community Poems
This four-page PDF file has examples of poems about communities and ideas of how to use them in the classroom. NOTE: Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Scholastic: Make a Poetry Quilt
This classroom activity is a way for students to display their poetry.
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Scholastic: Poetry Engine
Students can write their own poetry with this interactive game.
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National Poetry Month: Activities
This site has many poetry activities for grades K-8.
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Favorite Poem Project
Click on "Video Collection" for videos of poetry readings. The videos require RealPlayer. There is also a Poet Laureate time line. Lesson plans can be found in "For Teachers."
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PBS: Fern's Poetry Club
Students can read about poetry and publish their own poetry online with Fern, a character from the Arthur books.
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PBS: NewsHour Extra: Poetry
This site has videos of poetry readings, "Poetry Lesson Plans," and much more.
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Introduction to Poetry
This lesson plan is for Grades 6-8. NOTE: The site includes ads and forums.
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Poetry Zone
This British site has "The Poetry Gallery," "Interviews", "Teacher Zone," and much more.
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Magnetic Poetry
Use your mouse to move the words and unscramble the poems. You can invent a new poem from the words provided.
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eThemes Resource: Poets and their Poetry
These sites feature authors who write poetry for children. Includes biographies of poets and examples of their work. Learn about Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Sara Holbrook, Edward Lear, and other poets. Included are eThemes Resources on writing poetry, figurative language, and poems and songs about rivers and ponds.
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eThemes Resource: Poetry: Simile and Figurative Language
These sites contain poems about autumn, winter, and the seasonal holidays. Learn how simile and figurative language can be used in poetry. Includes worksheets and in class activities.
Education Standards
