Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Poetry Kit (Grades K-5)

National Poetry Month is celebrated each year in April. Use this poetry kit – a collection of printable activities, lessons, a calendar, even stickers – to supplement your poetry month curriculum. It's perfect for elementary students. If you missed poetry month this year, don't worry! You can use these resources any time you're discussing this much-loved, but often-feared, art form. Brought to you by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books, the resources below include advice from a published poet, a lesson encouraging the use of the five senses, and a jingle-writing activity.

Poem-a-Day Calendar: April 2009 Use this calendar, for April 2009, to celebrate National Poetry Month. Each day of the month features a book of poetry that you can read with your students. Print this calendar and post it in your classroom to use as a daily reference. The Importance of Voice in Poetry Students match a short quote from the poetry book Button Up! with the article of clothing that "spoke" the verse. This activity teaches the importance of voice in poetry. Use this printable as a perfect lesson for National Poetry Month (April), or to teach creative writing any time. Poetry is Sporty After being inspired by reading Change Up: Baseball Poems, a book filled with poetry about baseball, students pick their favorite sport and brainstorm ideas before writing, illustrating, and assembling their own collection of sports poems. This printable activity is perfect for National Poetry Month (April), or any other day of the year! Colorful Poetry Students use the five senses to describe their favorite color. Plus, they explore the color wheel by solving color "equations." This printable activity is perfect for National Poetry Month (April), or any other day of the year! Letter from Poet Joyce Sidman Share this letter by poet Joyce Sidman with your students. The letter features advice on how to write inspired, creative poetry. Tips include reading poetry books and using all five senses when writing poems. This printable resource is a perfect start for a National Poetry Month (April) curriculum, or for any other day of the year!

Animal Poems & Animal Shapes Students write poems about animals – in the shape of their subjects! This printable activity will inspire creativity in your classroom. It's a perfect lesson for National Poetry Month (April), or for any other day of the year. Writing a Jingle Students will write a jingle to advertise their favorite products. The writing process involves creating rhyming lines and composing a tune for their short song. This printable activity is perfect for National Poetry Month (April), or for any other day of the year! Creating Your Own Career Poem Steady Hands: Poems about Work will inspire your students to write their own poetry about jobs. They will investigate different careers and be as descriptive as possible when writing their poems. This printable activity is a perfect way to celebrate National Poetry Month (April), or to supplement a curriculum about jobs and careers. "I Love Poetry" Stickers Print these colorful "I Love Poetry" logos onto a sheet of sticky labels, and you'll have your own stickers! Students can wear these stickers during National Poetry Month (April) or any other time of year when poetry is part of your curriculum. More Poetry Resources for Teachers

Brought to you by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Whether you're looking to share classic characters with young students or to explore literature in more depth with older readers, Houghton Mifflin Company has something for everyone. From Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel to Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, you'll find great resources for students of varying ages.