Pocket Letter for April is Poetry Month

The month of April is National Poetry Month. It can be celebrated in many different ways in schools around the world each year. Some schools can do a simple reading of a poem each day in each classroom from elementary to high school. Whereas, other students and teachers may build an anthology of the poems they read each day and also build on that learning by building their knowledge of different poetic forms and write their own poems in the different poetic forms. They can learn about a poet, then they could be taught the rules of doing a report. Then they follow the rules of Writing a Report and write a report on a poet of their choice. Students can be involved in the Poem in Your Pocket. Each student writes a poem of their choice on a piece of paper and starting April 1st any adult in the building can ask any student "Do you have a poem in your pocket?" Then the adult may ask anything in the range of what was suppose to be covered by the teachers. So, the teacher might say, "please read stanza 1." If the student completes what is asked then the adult has a small token for being correct. Another idea for students would be for each student to choose a poet and then write a report about the poet. Prior to this assignment there would have been at least one lesson about writing a report. These are just some examples of what students can do during April is Poetry Month.

Adults can be involved in this celebration too! They may not do all the same experiences but they can do some fun experiences and learn some things along the way. Adults could go to the library and find some poetry books. Take the books and look at them. Locate 10 poems they really like and make a small anthology using the 10 poems they chose from the books. The Adults could also gather in small groups based on a poet, based on a particularly poetry book, or some other group that the adults come up with for a group. These are just a few ideas that adults could do during April is Poetry Mont

For this swap we will be making a Pocket Letter to Celebrate Poetry Month. We will be celebrating toward the end of April and will be finishing off things in May.

Here are the options for what you can produce for this swap.There are several options to choose from and I hope you find something you would like to do.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL OPTIONS--9-Pockets, ATC-Type cards for Presentation in each Pocket for all Options, Goodies for each pocket are Sender's Choice and you don't need to necessarily be related to topic of swap. if you want to read your swap partner's wishes etc. you certainly may do so

Option !-- Choose a poet, share important information, share poems, and a 1 page letter from you sharing why you chose to feature this poet. Remember to decorate each pocket If your handwriting is very legible then you may use it for the text work, otherwise use the computer.

Option 2--Choose 3 poets of your liking, share important information, a poem from each poet, and a 1 page letter about why you chose the poets you did for this swap. Remember to decorate each pocket If your handwriting is very legible then you may use it for the text work, otherwise use the computer.

Option 3---Choose 8 poems you want to feature on your Pocket Letter. Display the poem and decorate the poem. Write your 1-page letter sharing why you chose the poems you chose for this Pocket Letter. Remember to decorate each pocket If your handwriting is very legible then you may use it for the text work, otherwise use the computer.

Option 4--There are many different poetry forms. Choose 4 poetry forms. Share in 4 pockets , one in each, about each poetry form. Remember to decorate each pocket If your handwriting is very legible then you may use it for the text work, otherwise use the computer.For example, Haiku, definition, 5-7-5 pattern, some other information.The other 4 pockets, one example of each poetry form. Write a one-page letter sharing with your swap partner the poetry forms you chose and why you chose them.

OPTION 5--Use any 2 or 3 options above in combination to create a 9-pocket Pocket Letter. This option will give you lots of different ways to go to present your love of poetry. Write a 1-page report about why you chose this option, why you like poetry, and what did you gain from doing this swap?