April is National Poetry Month, a great time to celebrate poets laureate! Introduce students to diverse poets and powerful voices using TeachingBooks poetry collections. Share engaging resources to help students learn about these writers in meaningful ways.
Discover Poetry Awards
Students can explore the role of the Young People’s Poet Laureate, 2006-2024 award and learn how poets share their voices with young readers. Check out other poetry award lists like Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels, 2011-2026 and Lee Bennett Hopkins Award, 1993-2026.
Meet Poet Laureates
Gain deeper insight into poet laureates Gwendolyn Brooks’ and William Carlos Williams’ work and lives. A Meet-the-Author Recording for the picture book, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, gives students a closer look at the early life of this famous poet. Then dive into book guides and activities for A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams and consider this lesson plan to find inspiration.
An author’s page like Ada Limón’s includes titles that have videos, interviews, and more resources. Create shelf cards and shelf talkers to share poet laureates with your community. In addition, Joy Harjo’s For a Girl Becoming Video Book Trailer is a great way to start conversations about voice, identity, and poetry.
Together, these resources make it easy to introduce poet laureates and inspire students to read, write, and share their own ideas through poetry.
What’s working for you?
We’d love to hear how you’re using TeachingBooks resources in your classrooms and libraries! Leave your ideas in a comment below.
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