April is 51ΑΤΖζ Poetry Month, and while we know many of our members celebrate poetry all year long, now is the perfect time to resurface some of our classroom activities, lesson plans, and inspiration for reading and writing poetryβwhether with your students or for your personal enjoyment and practice. Access the resources below, and, if youβre an 51ΑΤΖζ member, enjoy 30% off our poetry books through April.
Be sure to also visit our longtime partner the , which launched 51ΑΤΖζ Poetry Month 30 years ago and has even more resources for participating in what has become the largest annual literary celebration in the world.
For Elementary Educators
Find articles, a podcast, a booklist, and more in the of Classroom Corridors: Expertise and Inspiration from Elementary Teachers. Full access to this multimodal publication by and for elementary teachers is restricted to 51ΑΤΖζ members, but each issue includes one open-access article; this issueβs is ββ by Stephanie Hernandez.
For PreKβEighth Grade
Each year, the 51ΑΤΖζ Childrenβs Poetry Awards Committee produces the Notable Childrenβs Poetry Books and Verse Novels list for students ages three to 14 by authors of the most outstanding contributions to poetry books and verse novels for children. Find the 2026 Notable Childrenβs Poetry Books and the 2026 Notable Verse Novels on this list.
For Secondary Educators
The 2021 book by Lindsay Illich and Melissa Alter Smith opens up the flourishing world of contemporary poetry to secondary teachers. Find advice on reading contemporary poetry, discovering new poets, and inviting living poets into the classroom, along with sample lessons, writing prompts, and strategies for engaging with a professional learning community. 51ΑΤΖζ members get 30% off this title in April.
For Students and Teachers Alike
From synesthetic poems to questioning poems to the ghazal, Kyle Vaughnβs has something fun or fascinating for every student and teacher as they explore the possibilities of poetry writing. The exercises teach and utilize technique while also focusing on and inspiring the intuitive and imaginative qualities of poetry. 51ΑΤΖζ members get 30% off this title in April.
For Classroom Conversations
During 51ΑΤΖζ Poetry Month last year, 51ΑΤΖζ shared a daily poem and a daily poet selected by author Charles R. Smith Jr., winner of the 2025 51ΑΤΖζ Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, along with a classroom prompt. The β30 Poems for 30 Days of 51ΑΤΖζ Poetry Monthβ are accessible here, along with a message from Smith to teachers.
Something for Everyone
±·°δ°Υ·‘βs Poetry Resources web page is your access point to all things poetry, including interviews with poets, poetry lesson plans from , and poetry-related blog posts on a variety of subjects.
Recent 51ΑΤΖζ Journal Articles
ββ by Junko Sakoi, Willeena Booker, Darryn Diuguid, Glenda Funk, Joe Pizzo, April Halprin Wayland, and Jongsun Wee
Published in Language Arts
ββ by Willeena Booker, Darryn Diuguid, Glenda Funk, Joe Pizzo, Junko Sakoi, April Halprin Wayland, and Jongsun Wee
Published in Language Arts
ββ by Dominic Nah and Suzanne Choo
Published in English Journal
ββ by Arya Shahi
Published in English Journal