Write Letters to Poets for National Poetry Month

View this email on a browser Forward to a friend April 2017 Happy National Poetry Month!   National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, and over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world. To kick off the month, read these poems about poetry and share them with your students: "Cherry blossoms" by Toi Derricotte "There is no frigate like a book (1263)" by Emily          Dickinson "The Republic of Poetry" by Martín Espada "The Secret" by Denise Levertov "Ars Poetica" by Archibald MacLeish "Poetry" by Marianne Moore "Valentine for Ernest Mann" by Naomi Shihab Nye   Discover 30 more ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in the classroom.

Lesson Plan: National Poetry Month Poster 2017   It's not too late to receive a copy of this year's National Poetry Month poster, designed by author and artist Maira Kalman. Order or download a PDF of the poster now, and take a look at the accompanying lesson plan, featuring related poems, classroom activities, and other resources. Teach This Poem Poems for Kids Poetry in the Classroom Calendar Dear Poet Project   Invite your students to participate in the Dear Poet project by writing letters in response to videos of our award-winning Chancellors reading their work. We will consider all letters for publication on Poets.org in May 2017, and our Chancellors will reply to select letters of their choosing. Please send letters by mail or email before April 30. Dear Poet: Anne Waldman   Watch Anne Waldman read her poem "Battery" as part of Dear Poet, our multimedia education project for National Poetry Month. Poem in Your Pocket Day   On April 27, people across North America will carry poems to share with others throughout the day. Download a packet of poems for the occasion and learn how to bring Poem in Your Pocket Day to schools, classrooms, libraries, public spaces, and on Twitter (with the hashtag #pocketpoem). How Teachers Teach Poetry in the Classroom   Last month, we asked you to share a short description of your favorite poetry lesson or activity to teach in the classroom. Thanks to all of the teachers who responded! Here are some of our favorites. Recommended Reading: Out of Wonder by Kwame Alexander   This best-selling collection features original poems inspired by and in celebration of twenty famous poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Pablo Neruda, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Mary Oliver. The book also features poets' biographies, brief discussions of different writing styles, and beautiful illustrations. Teach Poetry for Earth Day   Start a discussion about poetry and the environment with these poems about nature and these related lesson plans.  Join the Conversation   Share your National Poetry Month activities and celebrations on Twitter, using the hashtag #npm17. Thanks for being a part of the Academy of American Poets community. To learn about other programs, including National Poetry Month, Poem in Your Pocket Day, the annual Poets Forum, and more, visit Poets.org.   You are receiving this e-mail because you elected to subscribe to our mailing list. If you would like to unsubscribe, please click here.   © Academy of American Poets 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038

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