NPM Day 6: Favorite Poets for Elementary Age

I have one word to share about selecting poetry for elementary age students: humor. Kids love to laugh. Fun illustrations or real photos help, too. 

Jack Prelutsky

I first discovered Jack Prelutsky in 2011 when I read his collection My Dog May Be a Genius. His poems are funny and inventive. I love sharing his poetry with elementary student when I do class visits. I'll talk more about exactly how I share his poems tomorrow. His most recent collection is Hard-Boiled Eggs for Breakfast and other Tasty Poems. Jack Prelutsky was the inaugural Young People's Poet Laureate back in 2006. 

Shel Silverstein 

Silverstein is master of children's poetry. I didn't read him as a kid, but I love using his poems now. I've turned a couple into storytime activities and like to share a poem when it fits my theme like "Don the Dragon's Birthday" from Falling Up for a dragon themed storytime. I especially like Runny Babbit and Runny Babbit Returns. Spoonerisms are fun to create and read, but be sure you don't get your tongue twisted!

Chris Harris 

Chris Harris is a new to me poet, but his poetry reminds me of Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein. If humor can get kids interested in poetry, please share Chris Harris' two collections: I'm Just No Good at Rhyming and My Head Has a Bellyache. 

National Geographic Poetry Collections 

J. Patrick Lewis edited three poetry collections for National Geographic Kids: National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry, National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry, and The Poetry of US. The collections feature a mixture of classic poems and new poems paired with stunning National Geographic photos. 

Resources 

• Jack Prelutsky's website
• Teaching guide to The World of Jack Prelutsky on the publisher's website
• Activity guide to Celebrate National Poetry Month with Jack Prelutsky on the publisher's website
• Jack Prelusky Interview on the publisher's website
• Shel Silverstein's website (Be sure to check out the Learning Resources tab!)
• Chris Harris's website
• Educator's guide for I'm Just No Good at Rhyming on the publisher's website
• Storytime kit for I'm Just No Good at Rhyming on the publisher's website
• Teaching Tips for My Head Has a Bellyache on the publisher's website
• Support materials for National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry on RIF Literacy Central
• Lesson plan for National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry by NG School Publishing via TeachingBooks
• Find a fun way to use National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry on the ALSC Blog by Paige Bentley-Flannery

Links to My Reviews

Jack Prelutsky

• Camille Saint-Saens's The Carnival of the Animals with New Verses
• Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast and Other Tasty Poems
• If Not for the Cat
• I've Lost My Hippopotamus 
• My Dog May Be a Genius
• Pizza, Pigs, Poetry: How to Write a Poem

NG Poetry Collections

• National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis
• National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis