Poetry Writing for Young People
Try out these poetry writing videos for children and poetry lesson plans for teens
Sensory Details
Find some fruit inspiration for this sensory poem
Similes
Write about your favorite person using similes
Metaphor
What metaphors are in your name?
A Sense of Home
Use your poetry skills to write about your home
Epistolary
Write a love letter to the Earth
Point of View
What does the world look like from where you stand?
Point of View
Working with oceans of emotions
Poetry Lesson Plans
Find lesson plans here
Feedback from students:
“I could read my poem all day. I found writing poems is very relaxing…. Reading my classmates’ poems brings me joy. You are the best. Learning from you has changed my life. I hope I see you next school year. I hope to learn more from you.” – 4th grade student, Palolo Elementary School
“My favorite thing about poetry is that it helps us calm down and it is an activity that makes you relax…. The reaction on our parents’ faces when they saw the poems is that they wanted to write one right that second…. At the Art Showcase, I read my poem and in my head I said ‘this is what I want to do more of.’” – 4th grade student, Palolo Elementary School
“It really inspires me to start writing poetry. I hope I can be a poet someday.” – 3rd grade student, Sunset Beach Elementary School
Feedback from Teachers:
“Students were not afraid to write. Writing became something that they wanted to do instead of something they had to do. And students that were considered weak writers came up with some of the better poems. It gave them an alternative outlet for writing then the traditional essay format, in which they struggle in.” – 4th Grade Teacher, Lanakila Elementary School
“I believe that having the students meet a poetry teacher, with the credentials and the experience that Miss Laurel has, caused the students to take her lessons seriously. The lesson they learned is that poetry can open your eyes to the world around you, and see things in a different way than you saw them yesterday. This ability can create adults who are problem solvers. Therefore, I believe poetry, taught by skilled educators is vital to the world.” – 3rd Grade teacher, Sunset Beach Elementary School
“I believe my students are more confident as poets because of Laurel’s lessons. She inspired them by showing her love of poetry and the simplicity of looking around and seeing beauty in their environment and translating that beauty into poems.” - 3rd Grade teacher, Sunset Beach Elementary School