Poetry has a unique power to evoke emotions, spark critical thinking, and inspire creativity. It is a gateway to understanding complex emotions, diverse perspectives, and the beauty of language itself. I started the habit of introducing a poem perfect for each month to my class because I wanted my students to take advantage of all these things throughout the entire year. I highlight a poem that embodies all these qualities, providing them with a rich resource to inspire and engage my students. This is how the “Poem of the Month” was born and here I am excited to share with you some of the poems I have selected and read with my students this past school year.
Selecting the poem of the month is a thoughtful and meticulous process aimed at finding pieces that resonate deeply with the holidays, celebrations or season in which we are. For each month, I strive to choose poems that not only align with educational goals but also inspire curiosity and reflection. By focusing on poems that provoke thought and evoke emotion, I aim to provide a meaningful and enriching literary experience for your students.
To help you make the most out of each month, I’ll share with you my own list of poems and activities tailored to enhance your teaching experience. You can also create a dynamic and immersive learning environment that brings poetry to life and fosters a deeper connection to the world of poets. So without further ado, here is the full Poem of the Month list that you can use in your own class.
JANUARY – The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
FEBRUARY – I Am Offering This Poem by Jimmy Santiago Baca
MARCH – Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon
APRIL – The Way Through The Woods by Rudyard Kipling
MAY – Spring Night by Sara Teasdale
JUNE – It Couldn’t Be Done by Edgar Albert Guest
JULY – The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
AUGUST – Dear Basketball by Kobe Bryant
SEPTEMBER – The High-School Lawn by Thomas Hardy
OCTOBER – Song of the Witches by William Shakespeare
NOVEMBER – Thanksgiving by James Whitcomb Riley
DECEMBER – Little Tree by E.E. Cummings
I like not only to simply read the poem with my students, but also to include it in a larger lesson plan. I try to rotate the activities that go with each poem every month or even let the students choose what they want to work on. Sometimes I use stations to keep things moving, other times my students love the bingo board with its 25 poetry analysis activities. Each poem lesson may include all or just some of these activities:
- Picture Prompt Bell Ringer
- Poem Full Text Annotation Sheet
- Poet Fact File
- Poem Analysis Sheet
- Figures of Speech Gallery
- One Pager – The Fan Poem Analysis Template
- Rewrite This Poem
- Poem Visualization
- Acrostic Poem
- Poetry Analysis Bingo Board
I hope these resources and activities inspire you to bring the poem of the month to life in your classroom. Poetry has a unique way of connecting us to universal themes and individual experiences. In my opinion, it is an invaluable tool in fostering empathy, critical thinking, and creativity among my students. As you explore the poems with your class, you should encourage open discussion and personal interpretations to create a rich, inclusive learning environment. Remember, the goal is not only to analyze the text but also to appreciate the beauty and power of poetic expression.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences and the insights your students gain from this month’s poetic journey. If you have other suggestions for the poem of the month list, do not hesitate to write them in the comment box below.
Happy poetry teaching!
