National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month! Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, this month is devoted to the celebration of poets and the impact that poetry has on art and our lives.

By collaborating with art organizations, educational establishments, libraries, government agencies, publishers and other community organizations, the Academy of American Poets uses National Poetry Month to try to accomplish the following goals:

• Spotlight American poets, their achievements and their legacies;

• Introduce more readers to the pleasures of poetry;

• Bring poets and poetry to a wider public;

• Make poetry a sharper focus of school curriculum;

• Increase the attention paid to poetry by the media;

• Encourage increased writing, publication, distribution and sales of poetry; and

• Increase support for poets and poetry.

Why Teach Poetry?

Teaching poetry is not necessarily an easy task, and many teachers and students alike have lamented the difficulties of the subject. Still, teaching poetry can be an enjoyable and inspiring experience, and there are many good reasons why poetry should be included in your school’s curriculum.

A Way to Teach asked real teachers why they believe poetry should be taught, and respondents offered many reasons. Studying poetry helps students gain a better understanding of the English language, especially the use of figurative language. It also encourages them to think more critically and abstractly while interpreting language. Studying poetry makes students stronger readers and writers, but it also gives them a connection to the past when they study historical authors. Furthermore, poetry is an art form that allows writers to express deep emotions, an otherwise uncommon experience in school curriculum.

Discover the benefits of teaching poetry by introducing it to your own students this month. For tips on how to bring poetry into your classroom, visit the Academy of American Poets’ suggestions on how to celebrate National Poetry Month.

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