Resources for Teaching

Teaching poetry is fun, but it can also be a challenge. Kids sometimes feel like they can’t connect with poetry … that it’s “too old-fashioned” or “too difficult.” But that’s why a big collection of resources for teaching poetry can make a real difference for teachers.

Some students will instantly connect with the language and flow of more formal types of poetry, like sonnets or haiku. Others will find their way into this form of writing through free verse or slam poems. And nearly every student will enjoy learning about and writing blackout poetry! We’ve got resources to help you teach all these kinds of poetry, as well as huge collections of poems on just about any subject you can imagine. Plus, you’ll find plenty of free worksheets and templates to help teachers plan successful poetry lessons.

Take a look at everything we have to offer here—you may just find that your poetry unit becomes one of your favorite parts of the curriculum!

Free Printables for Writing Poetry

Writing poetry comes easily to some, while others really struggle. Our free templates and guided worksheets help scaffold the writing process, so every student can become a poet.

an image of three example diamante poem template printables

Diamante Poem Worksheet Bundle

Where words take shape.

“I Am” Poem Worksheet Bundle

Build self-reflection skills and classroom community.

an image of three ode poem template printable worksheets

Ode Poem Worksheet Bundle

Learn how to write a poem that celebrates the thing or person you love best.

an image of three couplet poem template printables examples

Couplet Poem Worksheet Bundle

Learn what a couplet is and write your own with confidence.

an example of four printable sonnet template worksheets

Shakespearean Sonnet Worksheet Bundle

Find reference pages, plus a complete how-to guide for writing your own sonnet.

5W Poem Worksheet Bundle

Kids answer the five W questions to write poems on simple topics.

printable images of 4 pages from the free verse template bundle

Free Verse Worksheet Bundle

Turn writing a poem into a sound studio experience!

rhyming poem worksheets bundle of four pages

Rhyming Poem Worksheet Bundle

Teaching kids to write poems? Start with rhymes!

color poems brainstorming and writing worksheets

Color Poem Worksheet Bundle

Write poems inspired by the rainbow. Perfect for young poets.

Emoji Poem Worksheet Bundle

Inspire kids to write poems about their feelings with this clever activity.

free acrostic poems printable example pages

Acrostic Poem Worksheet Bundle

This type of poem writes itself.

Haiku Poem Worksheet Bundle

Build a beautiful haiku, step-by-step.

Concrete Poem Worksheet Bundle

Because some words deserve a shape of their own.

K-2 Poetry Worksheet Bundle

Word family poetry, list poetry, and more.

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Free Poetry Worksheet Mega Bundle

These poetry templates and worksheets will guide students through the process of writing a wide variety of poems. There are options here for all ages, K-12!

Poetry Collections by Subject

Whether you need the perfect poem for a season or holiday, want to bring poetry into your math or science classroom, or just need some good verses celebrating friendship, we’ve got you covered! You’ll find all those subjects and more here.

Famous Poems

From Robert Frost to Amanda Gorman.

Science Poems

Poetry and science aren’t as far apart as you think!

A poem called About the Teeth of Sharks by John Ciardi.

Funny Poems

Have a laugh, one line at a time.

Music Poems

Music brings us together!

Alliteration Poems

A remarkable roster of rhymes to recite.

Math Poems

Transforms kids’ attitudes about math exponentially!

Fall Poems

Embrace the change of seasons.

Ode To Kool-Aid by Marcus Jackson...You turn the kitchen tap's metallic stream into tropical drink, extra sugar whirlpooling to the pitcher-bottom like gypsum sand...

Summer Poems

Celebrate sun and fun with these student-friendly texts.

Come with rain, O loud Southwester! Bring the singer, bring the nester; Give the buried flower a dream; Make the settled snowbank steam;

Spring Poems

Celebrate growth and the outdoors.

Winter Poems

Snowstorms and snowflakes!

Thanksgiving Poems

Poems to spark conversation and reflection.

Nature Poems

Inspiration is all around us!

Halloween Poems

Gather ’round, ghouls and ghosts!

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

Graduation Poems

Moving words for students embarking on their future.

Earth Day Poems

Share a message of love and respect for our planet.

Poems About Teaching

Words to inspire and contemplate.

St. Patrick’s Day Poems

Erin go bragh!

Valentine’s Day Poems

Spread the love with these verses.

Poetry Is My Underwear by April Halprin Wayland.

Short Poems

Short verses that fit in anytime.

Friendship Poems

“I remember when we met …”

49 Powerful Black History Month Poems for Kids of All Ages (Plus Free Printable)

Black History Poems (Free Printables)

Meaningful words for unity.

Poetry Collections by Grade Level

Poetry works best when students truly understand the language, which makes it important to choose verses that correspond to your students’ reading and comprehension levels. These resources for teaching poetry are broken down by grade level to support your poetry lessons at any age.

Kindergarten Poems and Nursery Rhymes

“Mix a pancake, stir a pancake …”

Middle and High School Poems

Plus ideas for teaching them and free printables.

75 Must-Share Poems for Your Elementary Classroom

Elementary School Poems

Oldies but goodies, plus new finds.

1st Grade Poems

Rhymes and rhythm for the youngest readers and writers.

2nd Grade Poems

Love for poetry starts early.

3rd Grade Poems

Serious, silly, and sentimental poems they can learn from.

4th Grade Poems

“I made myself a snowball, as perfect as can be.”

Homework Stew by Kenn Nesbitt -- fifth grade poems

5th Grade Poems

They’re ready for something a little more substantial.

Middle and High School Poetry Videos

Bring poetry to life for older students.

Our Favorite Videos for Teaching Poetry to Young Students

K-5 Videos for Teaching Poetry

Figurative language, personification, and more.

Poetry books for kids including Courage Out Loud and Watch Me Bloom.

Poetry Books for Pre-K to Grade 12

Something for every kind of student.

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Types of Poetry, With Poem Examples

All the biggest poetry genres, plus more types of poetry you can share with students of all ages.

Poetry Collections by Genre or Author

Introduce kids to famous authors like Robert Frost and Emily Dickenson with these collections (including lots of free printables!). You’ll also find collections by genre, such as haiku or free verse, all ready to use in your classroom.

Printable Phillis Wheatley poems on a purple background.

Phillis Wheatley Poems (Free Printables)

Spotlight this 18th-century African American poet.

Printable pagse of Robert Frost Poems Feature on green background.

Robert Frost Poems (Free Printables)

Take a walk with America’s beloved poet.

Walt Whitman Poems (Free Printables)

Thought-provoking poetry to read and share.

Collage of printable William Shakespeare poems

William Shakespeare Poems (Free Printables)

All’s well that begins with a good poem or two!

Emily Dickinson Poems (Free Printables)

Get swept away by this famous American lyricist.

Edgar Allan Poe Poems (Free Printables)

“Quoth the raven” is just the beginning.

E.E. Cummings Poems (Free Printables)

Playful, prolific poems that shaped modern poetry.

Collage of Langston Hughes poems orange background.

Langston Hughes Poems (Free Printables)

“What happens to a dream deferred?”

Images of the "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" Worksheet Activity

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” (Free Printables)

Introduce Robert Frost with this fun activity.

Free Verse Poetry Examples

A great way to introduce poetry in class.

Haiku Examples

Haiku gets right to the point!

Limerick Examples

Funny rhymes that tell a short story.

Slam Poetry Examples

Exciting, interactive, and inspiring for all ages.

Novels in Verse

Stories that will move you and your students.

More Resources for Teaching Poetry

From poetry websites to games and activities, hosting a poetry slam, or analyzing a poem, these resources support teachers across grade levels and subjects.