National+Poetry+Month

“This bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wonderous worlds I've known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone.” -Shel Silverstein

Poetry is an excellent way to incorporate diverse literature into the classroom. It offers students the opportunity to analyze, practice decoding, learn new vocabulary and interpret what they read, based on their own schema. National Poetry month is celebrated in the month of April, so now is a great time to start thinking about poetry in the classroom. Students can not only practice comprehension skills through poetry, but they can also practice writing their own. Incorporating reading and writing together gives students a strong foundation in literacy. Below are some helpful websites and resources I have found that give ideas about how to use poetry in the classroom:


 * http://www.poetryarchive.org/


 * http://www.carolhurst.com/ /home.do


 * http://www.poetryfoundation.org/programs/children.html