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April is National Poetry Month. The Academy of American Poets created National Poetry Month in 1996 to celebrate and promote the achievement of American poets.See the calendar of events HERE.Brimful Curiosities is hosting a poetry challenge during the month of April in celebration of National Poetry Month. Do you know who the U.S. Poet Laureate is? (It was Kay Ryan until 2010.) It is the poet, W.S. Merwin.

So, happy poetry month to you! How will you celebrate?

Here are a few ideas for you to do with your children.

HOW TO CELEBRATE POETRY

1.  Cut out magazine words and create your own “found poetry”.

2.  Start a poetry collection.

3. Brimful Curiosities suggests:
♦ Every week in April encourage your child to illustrate a poem, any poem. If they are older they can compose their own poem and/or practice their handwriting by writing the poem on their picture.

4. Poets.org shares 30 ways to celebrate poetry month including write a poem with sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk and put a poem in a letter.

5. Write your own poems!

– Ken Nesbitt shares where to find poetry ideas.

– Write a List Poem.

POETRY MONTH EVENTS

On April 14, it’s the Poem in Your Pocket Day. That’s the day you can carry a poem in your pocket and share with everyone.

To encourage learning poetry through memorization and performance, check out Poetry Out Loud.

Read the National Writing Project’s post on National Poetry Month for lesson plans and poetry activity ideas.

MY FAVORITE POETS

Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth.
- Naomi Shihab Nye

the earth laughs in flowers.
- e.e. cummings

I am Nobody! Who are you?
Are you — Nobody — too?
- Emily Dickenson

READ MORE POETRY

Why I Read Poetry to My Toddler

Hate that Cat

Love that Dog

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young

Poetry Speaks to Children Book & CD

Poetry for Young People

Hip Hop Speaks to Children

Who are your favorite poets?

What will you do for poetry month?

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