Introduce middle schoolers to Poet Laureate Joy Harjo with a lesson that not only explains the role and duties of the Poet Laureate but also contains a video in which Harjo explains what she sees as her responsibility as a Native...

Here's a new take on a new year. After watching and discussing the video of Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman performing her "New Day's Lyric," young poets craft poems that reflect their feelings about the past year and their resolutions...

In this everyday editing learning exercise, students correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph about the noted American poet Ogden Nash. The errors range from capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

After investigating the Black Lives Matter movement, class members do a close read of Roger Reeves' "Black Laws." They write down words and phrases that rhyme, consider the kinds of rhymes used and their function in the poem. Scholars...

In this editing worksheet about Gwendolyn Brooks, young writers read and then correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph. The errors range from punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar.

Academics take turns as actors in an engaging poetry cafe. Elementary learners work in small groups to create original poems or stories addressing community issues and read their work in front of a live audience. Scholars also reflect...

Are you contemplating a poetry study featuring Emily Dickinson? Finding good primary sources to accompany the study can be a challenge—never fear, help is here! Check out this primary source set that includes manuscripts of several of...

A lesson challenges scholars to create a cinquain poem. Writers begin by choosing a topic and brainstorm details, then compose their original poem making sure to count syllables. 

A lesson begins with a description of a diamante poem and the rules to follow while writing one. Scholars examine the ins and outs of synonym and antonym diamantes, then compose an original poem using their newfound knowledge. 

Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.

A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.

In-depth site on Anne Spencer including an extensive biography of this famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Detailed information on her works, education, and contemporaries. Numerous photographs. Some of her poems are also included.

Contains a wealth of information on the Ohio poet James Wright, including a biographical sketch, essays about many of his works, pictures, and copies of his poems. Provided by the English Department of University of Illinois at...

An extremely rich site, this offering from Modern American Poetry covers all aspects of Dorothy Parker's (1893-1967 CE) work. Included are critical commentaries, biographical information, a Parker Gallery and other resources.

A brief look at the fascinating life of African American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Provides two portraits, and a sample page from Wheatley's collection of poems.

This site from Modern American Poetry comes from the English department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and proves to be a great resource for information about Jean Toomer (1894-1967 CE). The site contains links to a...

This is the Modern American Poetry index site for William Carlos Williams (1883-1963 CE). From this site you can click on links that take you to analysis of the author's works as well as a link to full text versions of additional poems.

This excellent site provides a biography, critical commentary on several poems, examples of Dunbar's illustrated work, images and the text of several poems.

Critical analysis of numerous Frost poems by foremost literary critics like William Pritchard. This is a great resource for students learning how to analyze Frost's poetry.

One day during National Poetry Month is dedicated to "Put a Poem in Your Pocket Day." Use this site to find poems to share with others. It includes a downloadable PDF of ideas for teachers and a collection of poems.

This outstanding resource offers literary criticism, biographical information, full text of poems, and historical context for Edna St. Vincent Millay's (1892-1950 CE) work.

An extensive look at the life and works of Sterling A. Brown of the Harlem Renaissance. With links to specific poems and analysis, a biography, and related topics.

This site houses three poems in full text from the great American poet Archibald MacLeish (1892-1982 CE), as well as criticism on two of his most famous. The three pieces are 'Baccalaureate', 'Two Poems from the War', and 'An Eternity'.

This site houses full texts of numerous poems by the American poet Hilda Doolittle. Among the poems are "Sheltered Garden," "Sea Poppies," and "Cities," to name just a few.