General Poetry Resources

This page features lesson plans and activities for teaching specific types of poetry or poetry in general. Sites and Activities for Specific Poets and Collections of Poetry are also available.

Recognizing Similes: Fast as a Whip
Students read excerpts from the work of Robert Frost, William Wordsworth and Toi Derricotte in order to gain an understanding of similes.

Renga
Explanation and examples of types of renga (Japanese poetry), additional links.

Responding to Young Adult Fiction through Writing Poetry: Trying to Understand a Mole
This article from the ALAN review discusses the riddle poem, found poem, character poem, poem for two voices, and repeat poster poem as methods students might use to respond to fiction. The article also offers an explanation of each form.

Rhyme Zone
In addition to a rhyming dictionary, this site provides links to online texts, interactive word quizzes, a reverse dictionary, and more.

Rhythm and Meter in English Poetry
Definitions and examples of the most common meters.

Rock Lyrics as Poetry
Students use song lyrics as an introduction to poetry with emphasis on metaphor, irony, and imagery.

Science Poetry Center
Students may post their own poetry here, the subject being anything having to do with Nature or Natural Science, including Life, Earth, Physical and Environmental Science topics.

Shape Poems: Writing Extraordinary Poems About Ordinary Objects
Students write shape poems using their content knowledge and sensory awareness of a familiar object.

Songs My Teacher Taught Me
This month-long unit for high school students consists of 3 parts: "What is Poetry?", "Poems of Childhood," and "Self and Society." Each section includes a short reading list, a brief introduction setting tone and theme, a series of analytical questions, two creative activities, and at least one writing assignment. Poets and titles are listed, but, due to copyright restrictions, the poetry itself is not included at the site. The entire unit lasts about a month.

Specific Concrete-Visual Poems on the WWW-InterNet
This page includes links to an extensive collection of concrete poems.

Template for the Comparison of Poems using Close Reading
Students compare poems found online. The lesson includes a graphic organizer. This 5-page document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Template for the Interpretation of Poems using Close Reading
Students explore and analyze poems using online resources. The lesson includes a writing component. This 4-page document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Uncovering Truths Beneath a Found Poem
Students respond to literature by writing a found poem. This teacher's narrative may serve as a model for responding to other pieces of literature.

Voice
"The unit begins by defining spoken and written poetry and then moves into a more nuanced exploration of poetry as social commentary. Students begin to acquire a poetic vocabulary through a series of learning activities that include class discussion, critical writing assignments, and personal reflection. 'Voice' employs interconnectivity to create links between the poems used and the texts being read by the students through out the year. The unit culminates in an anthology of student work, fostering a richer understanding of poetry as social commentary."

What am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles
An introduction to poetry via metaphor, simile, metonymy, concrete imagery, and creativity. These extensive lessons address IRA and NCTE standards.

The Whole Picture
This one-page handout details a lesson on writing ekphrastic poetry. Access requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application.

Women in Poetry
This technology-integrated unit introduces students to a broad range of contemporary women's voices in poetry.

Writing Poetry Using Poems by Langston Hughes
Students analyze "Dream Deferred" and "Theme for English B," then use them as models for their own poetry.

More Poetry Resources >>> | 1 | 2 | 3 |