National Poetry Month

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES

This Resource Toolkit contains lesson plans, videos, exhibits, and articles to be used at American Spaces to recognize the achievements of American poets and their role in U.S. history.

INTRODUCTION

What is poetry? Despite it being a vital part of cultures around the world, poetry is difficult to define. Here are some resources that can start the conversation.

TED-Ed: What makes a poem … a poem? – Melissa Kovacs
Video duration: 5 minutes
English Level: Lower-Intermediate

A Poet’s Glossary

  • An article from Poets.org that attempts to define poetry through the words of famous poets throughout history.
  • English Level: Advanced

POETRY THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY

The United States has a rich and influential history of poetry. Around the 19th century, a distinctly American voice began to emerge, which included notable poets like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Louisa May Alcott. Many of these American writers challenged the status quo and introduced new schools of thought or forms of writing. The 20th century launched the modern poetry movement, with poets like Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot reinventing traditional poetic form. Other influential poets like Langston Hughes and Claude McKay became key figures in the Harlem Renaissance, which is considered the rebirth of African-American arts and modern cultural expression.

POET SPOTLIGHT

AMANDA GORMAN

Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist. She was awarded National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017 and recently became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. In addition to being an award-winning writer, she is also a cum laude graduate of Harvard University.

Listen to three of Amanda Gorman’s poems:

Earthrise – A poem on climate change and global hope.
The Miracle of Morning – A poem in response to the hardships of the pandemic.
Amanda Gorman’s Biden Inauguration Poem – A poem on the future of American progress.

Lesson Plan

  • Four presidents have had poets at their inauguration, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. For a lesson plan on inaugural poems click here.

MORE RESOURCES

Education USA

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See if studying in the U.S. is right for you, and learn how to make it happen: https://educationusa.state.gov

WHO ARE SOME OTHER NOTABLE POETS?

Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892)

Whitman is among the most influential poets in American history and is often called the father of free verse.

Robert Frost (1874 – 1963)

Frost is a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner. His poetry is often recognizable for its heartfelt portrayal of New England life and landscape.

VIDEOS ON POETRY

A documentary on the life of Maya Angelou, whose renowned writing and activism reflected significant moments in the history of the United States of America.
  • Papa is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost
    • A reading of Natalie S. Bober’s picture book on Robert Frost.
    • Video duration: 15 minutes

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How has poetry played a role in your life?
  2. Have you ever written poetry? What was your inspiration?
  3. Which poets do you know? Do you have a favorite poet?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.

Updated October 2024