Poetry4kids
How to Write a Silly Song Parody
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—and it's a great way to learn about poetic structure! Young poets use familiar tunes to write a song parody based on straightforward guidelines.
Curated OER
Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Activity: Firework by Katy Perry
Sure to engage your class in poetry, this resource requires them to identify, label, and explain poetic devices and figurative language used in Katy Perry's hit song "Firework". A well-organized page that chunks the lyrics so learners...
National History Day
Poetry from the Trenches of World War I
Often, the real-life experiences of soldiers gets lost back home when the war seems so far away. Scholars investigate the personal side of World War I in the trenches of Europe to complete a collaborative social studies activity. When...
Curated OER
Poetry Assignment Instead of a Test
"The Last Song" by Bernie Taupin and Elton John is the inspiration for an analysis assignment. Individuals read the song and answer nine questions about the speaker, figurative language, and significance of the lyrics. Use this as an...
Tiny Mobile
Poetry Creator | Verses
Construct from a canvas of words, lyrical expressions that your budding poets can share and post. Based on refrigerator magnet poetry, creative writers can develop their poetry independently, or from a given prompt from their...
A to Z Teacher Stuff
The Gingerbread Man
You may not be able to catch the Gingerbread Man, but you can sing a catchy song about him! Incorporate a poem into a study of poetry and/or the alphabet in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Literacy Design Collaborative
Catching a Grenade: How Word Choice Impacts Meaning and Tone
Beyonce's "Halo" and Bruno Mars' "Grenade" provide eighth graders with an opportunity to consider how a writer's choice of words can create a very different tone even when the subject is the same. After a close reading of both lyrics,...
Curated OER
Found Poem - Found Song, page 2
In this Louisiana musical landscape poem and song worksheet, students analyze a poem about the Mississippi River and Cajun music to learn more about the musical landscape in Louisiana.
Curated OER
Reading: Home on the Range
In this cowboy poetry instructional activity, students read about stories and poems in the American West. Students read the lyrics of "Home on the Range". Students answer 7 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Weather Songs: Hurricane
In this hurricane worksheet, students read a poem about the sad aftermath of a hurricane. These appear to be song lyrics with an unknown tune. This is suitable for older students and adults.
Curated OER
All Along the Watchtower Questions
In this reading comprehension activity, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the lyrics of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."
Curated OER
Song Writing
In this music worksheet, students identify specific tips for composing a song. They use strophic form where each verse has the same melody. Students also select a chord sequence and use cadences at the end of each phrase and modulations...
Curated OER
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night Questions
For this reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night."
Curated OER
Shakira
In this famous person worksheet, students read a passage about Shakira and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze, synonym matches,...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: The Golden Treasury of Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in Eng Lang
Electronic text of Thomas Palgrave's book, "The Golden Treasury: Of the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language". There are several ways to find the poem that you want to study: by author, by title, by first line, and by...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Lyric Poem
Explains what a lyric poem is and gives examples in modern culture. Discusses why lyric poetry is appealing, how its quality is judged, some different definitions, and how it has evolved over time. RL.9-10.5 text structure effects
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Hyperboles
This tutorial focuses on the use of hyperbole; it defines the term and explains when it is used. It offers two video clips: the first demonstrates the use of hyperbole in song lyrics as it highlights them, and the second shows the use of...
Other
Usps: Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song
Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...
Other
How Anyone Can Write Better Lyrics
If you like to write lyrics or poems then you will want to look at this site. It gives good advice on how to improve your writing and suggests other resources you may want to invest in.
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Toronto: My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night
This website provides lyrics and general information for the song "My Old Kentucky Home," written by Stephen Foster. Includes in-text notes about specific parts of the lyrics.
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Mc Ardle Notebooks: Dawn at the Alamo
Henry Arthur McArdle's "Dawn at the Alamo" notebook is "packed with letters, notes, and photographs," which McArdle used when researching for his well-known painting recording this important moment in Texas history. Browse the pages to...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Grammar Basics: Metaphors
Learn about similes and metaphors through this multimedia presentation. First view a slide show describing different types of metaphors as well as a simile. Then watch a video [3:13] showing similes and metaphors used in popular songs. A...