National Poetry Month (NPM) is a month-long, national celebration of poetry that takes place each April. Established by the Academy of American Poets, the concept is to increase public awareness of the art of poetry, living poets, our complex poetic heritage, and poetry books and journals.
First celebrated in 1996, the Academy reaches out to educators, librarians, and booksellers, distributing hundreds of thousands of NPM posters and holding special events.
The Academy’s website offers free poetry lesson plans and tip sheets for teachers, tip sheets for librarians and booksellers, and a list of 30 ways you can celebrate National Poetry Month.
How do you plan to celebrate National Poetry Month?
I think I’ll dig out a poetry collection that belonged to my late mother and read “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In high school, we were required to memorize the entire poem. It surprises me how much I remember of this poem despite the fact that I’ve been out of high school for over 20 years (yes, I am as old as dirt).
I used “Paul Revere’s Ride” for an assignment in my college public speaking course. Condensing a famous poem isn’t easy, but it was neat to relive a tiny bit of my childhood by reciting it again.
Whether you reacquaint yourself with poems you loved years ago or discover a new poet whose work you enjoy, be sure to celebrate National Poetry Month in some way. If you decide to pen your own poem, I would be thrilled if you shared it here.
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection 