It's Time for NaPoWriMo!

​by KATE PAGES Editors

​​April is National Poetry Writing Month, also known as NaPoWriMo, and it's the perfect time for teachers to inspire their students to explore the world of poetry. The Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) is providing free lesson plans for members for every day of the month, making it easy for teachers to incorporate poetry into their lesson plans.

KATE's National Poetry Writing Month lesson plans were created by Voices of Kansas Editor April Pameticky and KATE President Nathan Whitman. They have designed a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of poetry forms, including haiku, tanka, ekphrastic, sonnets, free verse, American cinquain, the golden shovel, onion poetry, imagism, villanelle, concrete, and more.

The lesson plans are available for free on the KATE website, and teachers can use them as a starting point to create their own unique lessons based on the needs of their students. Each lesson includes a detailed description of the poetry form, an example of the form, and step-by-step instructions for students to follow. The lessons also encourage students to read and analyze poetry by other authors, providing them with a deeper understanding of the craft.

The lesson plans are designed for students of all ages, from elementary school to high school, and are adaptable to different skill levels (read carefully before using!). The lessons can be completed in one class period or can be extended over several days, depending on the complexity of the form being studied.

KATE's National Poetry Writing Month lesson plans provide a fun and engaging way for students to explore the world of poetry, and they offer teachers a valuable resource for integrating poetry into their lesson plans. By using these lesson plans, teachers can inspire their students to become more creative and confident writers, while also fostering a love of poetry that can last a lifetime.

Lesson plans can be found on the KATE Archives, accessed by using your members-only password found in our monthly newsletter!