TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Mar 17, 2024
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
I Think That I Shall Never See - Using and Analyzing Poetry in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8
TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here shares this article that includes ideas and resources for teaching and...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here shares this article that includes ideas and resources for teaching and engaging students in learning about poetry. The background section covers the history of poetry, from epic poems of the ancient Greeks to modern free verse, addressing complex themes. The activities sections provide suggestions for poetry books and activities. Further down the page, the extensions share resources and ideas for students to create and share poems. Information includes correlation to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (167), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Use the ideas found in this article to find poetry books and activities that engage students while teaching the concepts and features of poetry. Ask students to share and illustrate their favorite poems, then create a class flip book using PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here. If necessary, take pictures of student projects, then use SmallPDF, reviewed here to convert your JPG to a PDF document. Extend learning further by hosting a poetry slam or poetry reading that features students' poetry. Find ideas for hosting a poetry event by reading the TeachersFirst blog post, From Page to Stage: Hosting a Poetry Cafe for Poem in Your Pocket Day, located here.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Kids Think Wide - Lucy Spruce
Grades
3 to 12Kids Think Wide uses artificial intelligence (AI)-created images to inspire student creativity and storytelling. Visit the pictures portion of the site to find vibrant images that include...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Kids Think Wide uses artificial intelligence (AI)-created images to inspire student creativity and storytelling. Visit the pictures portion of the site to find vibrant images that include discussion questions and writing prompts. Use the included filters to narrow the hundreds of images into text types such as poetry, descriptive, informative, and additional text types. The Choose Your Adventure section features picture prompts that engage students in collaborative storytelling as group projects. Navigate this section using the tags at the bottom of the page or choose from the different topics that take students on musical journeys, magic carpet adventures, and more.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), creative writing (124), descriptive writing (42), images (263), persuasive writing (58), poetry (193), writing (325), writing prompts (61)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many engaging writing activities and images to inspire student writers and offer flexible options that pique student interest. Incorporate the warmup questions in the pictures and the choices in the Choose Your Adventure activities to encourage students to show creativity while teaching necessary skills such as using adjectives, describing emotions, and exploring relationships between characters. Use student interactives available at Read Write Think, reviewed here to help students plan story maps, diagram plots, and edit writing projects. Extend learning by asking students to bring their stories to life by creating animated videos with Animoto, reviewed here.#TeachLivingPoets - Melissa Alter Smith
Grades
8 to 12#TeachLivingPoets is a robust resource that seeks to get contemporary poetry into the hands of students. Among its goals is the desire to provide students with "poetry that reflects...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
#TeachLivingPoets is a robust resource that seeks to get contemporary poetry into the hands of students. Among its goals is the desire to provide students with "poetry that reflects their identities, backgrounds, and present circumstances." Subscribe to and follow the site's blog to read about the use of poetry in classrooms. Find specific teaching content at the link for hyperdocs. This portion of the site contains many lessons featuring a variety of poets and styles. Browse the virtual library and find poets as a resource for locating diverse poetry examples. Finally, visit the Poetry Review portion of #TeachLivingPoets to find reviews written by teachers for teachers.
tag(s): authors (107), cross cultural understanding (173), identity (29), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as a resource for finding and including contemporary poets and poems in your poetry units. Share with students, then have them browse through the site to find poets that appeal to them. Curate and share favorites using Milanote, reviewed here. Milanote is a virtual tool for organizing information that allows you to upload images, files, links, and notes. Ask students to share information about favorite poets, portions of poems, or lists of favorite phrases from poems they have read. Use Perusall, reviewed here to enhance learning through collaborative discussions of the text of poems. Perusall includes tools for providing group discussions along with areas for individuals to add notes for personal use. Create groups within Perusall based on your students' interests and preferred poets. Enhance learning by asking students to write poems of their own or share a poetry reading of a favorite poem. Use a podcasting tool such as PodcastGenerator, reviewed here, to record and share audio and video recordings of student poetry readings.Verse by Verse - Google
Grades
7 to 12Verse by Verse is an experimental poetry-creation project by Google that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help create poems using classic American poets' suggestions. Begin by selecting...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Verse by Verse is an experimental poetry-creation project by Google that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help create poems using classic American poets' suggestions. Begin by selecting up to 3 muses for inspiration. If you aren't sure who they are, click on any image to view short biographical information. During the next step, choose a poem structure, syllable count, and rhyme. Enter the first line of your poem and become inspired by options presented by your muses! When finished, choose from options to copy the text or add a border, then download it as a PNG image. Make sure your students know to attribute the AI Generated poem. There are programs out there to detect AI created writing, see GPTZero, reviewed here.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Introduce different forms of poetry and poets using Verse by Verse. Offer students time to explore and experiment with the different features to become familiar with the different types of formats and styles of the included poets. Have students share their poetry digitally by creating an audio podcast using PodcastGenerator, reviewed here. PodcastGenerator features easy to use tools for creating short audio podcasts. Encourage students to rehearse reading their poetry and add proper intonation, spacing, and reading techniques such as they would for an in-person poetry reading. Besides sharing poems, ask students to add images and record audio, read their poems, and then share their creative process when writing poetry. Share student recordings on a class blog created with a free blog tool such as Site123, reviewed here, or in a series of blogs based on different forms of poetry.Poetry Out Loud - Poetry Out Loud
Grades
8 to 12Encourage the study and creation of poetry using the national arts education program provided by Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and other partners....more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Encourage the study and creation of poetry using the national arts education program provided by Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and other partners. Browse poems by collections, poets, or poetic forms and terms; each poem includes a short biography of the poet and links to their additional works. Choose from several offered lesson plans correlated to NCTE Standards. Immerse students further in poetry using the competition resources provided on the site. Information for poetry competitions includes options for competing on a classroom level or in regional and national competitions.
tag(s): authors (107), literary devices (13), poetry (193), rhythm (21)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and use the resources from Poetry Out Loud as part of any poetry unit or to encourage students to explore poetry within any classroom subject. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to curate and share students' favorite poems. Divide your Padlet into columns to organize by genre, be sure to create a column for students to share their original work! Share the tips for reciting poems as you encourage students to learn performance techniques. Ask students to record their work using Gravity, reviewed here. Share this tool with your students to encourage students to reflect and improve any audio or video presentation.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Poem Generator - Masterpiece Generator
Grades
4 to 12Quickly create several different forms of poems using the Poem Generator. Choose from over a dozen different options to begin your poem. Follow the prompts to add a topic and ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Quickly create several different forms of poems using the Poem Generator. Choose from over a dozen different options to begin your poem. Follow the prompts to add a topic and words to include. To create and complete your poem, select the "Write me a poem" link. Some formats require additional steps before generating the final piece of poetry. To view different poem creations using the same word prompts, choose refresh for a new poem.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): parts of speech (39), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Use the Poem Generator to introduce students to different forms of poems through exploration and use of the generator's features. This site is also a great tool to use when teaching parts of speech. Challenge students to identify the features that indicate different types of poems. Create a class Padlet, reviewed here, with columns for each type of poem and ask students to share their creations in the appropriate column. After students have time to experiment with the Poem Generator, challenge them to create poems without using this tool. Enhance classroom technology use by adding a reading of their final project to Voxer, reviewed here. Ask students to add audio recordings including their reading of the poem and a short discussion sharing the features that identify the poem as belonging to a specific genre. Transform classroom technology use by having students publish their poetry using Book Creator, reviewed here, to make a class book with all of your students' poetry. Be sure to have each student include an audio recording reading their poem!Poetry Generators - Poem of Quotes
Grades
4 to 12Are you stuck trying to write a poem? These generators will help you through the process. Choose from a variety of different formats including haiku, limerick, and acrostic to begin....more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Are you stuck trying to write a poem? These generators will help you through the process. Choose from a variety of different formats including haiku, limerick, and acrostic to begin. Once started, fill in the provided blanks to add names and other information then view your completed poem. Copy the poem as created, edit to your liking, or choose the regenerate option to generate a new creation. New to this tool are several Artificial Intelligence (AI) poetry generators. Enter a word or phrase and the AI Generator will create a poem for you. Make sure your students know to attribute the AI Generated poem. There are programs out there to detect AI created writing, see GPTZero, reviewed here.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (154), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the poem generator to motivate students' interest in poetry and offer the opportunity to explore different types of poetry. As students become more confident in creating their poetry, use a digital portfolio tool like Spaces, reviewed here, for students to compile and share their poetry. Transform classroom technology use by having students publish their poetry using Book Creator, reviewed here. In addition to sharing poems, ask students to add images and record audio, reading their poems and sharing their creative process when writing poetry.Shakespeare Uncovered - PBS Learning Media
Grades
8 to 12This series of lessons uses video segments from the PBS series Shakespeare Uncovered to tell the stories behind some of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Choose any link to access the full...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This series of lessons uses video segments from the PBS series Shakespeare Uncovered to tell the stories behind some of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Choose any link to access the full lesson including suggestions for use, links to PDF forms, and introductory through culminating activities. Use links to assign to students in Google Classroom or share with social media links.
tag(s): england (50), literature (221), plays (32), poetry (193), shakespeare (99), sonnets (6)
In the Classroom
Incorporate the videos and lessons from this site into your current Shakespeare lessons. Instead of written responses for portions of your assignments, have students use a video response tool like Gravity, reviewed here to share answers. Upon completion of your Shakespeare unit, instead of a written test or research project, ask students to create a digital book using an online tool like Ourboox, reviewed here. Have students include images, videos, and their written work to create the book.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Poetry By Heart - poetrybyheart.org
Grades
K to 5Poetry by Heart not only offers this collection of poems by children submitted for a poetry contest, but many poems from favorite poets through the ages. Choose choose Poetry Collections...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Poetry by Heart not only offers this collection of poems by children submitted for a poetry contest, but many poems from favorite poets through the ages. Choose choose Poetry Collections and choose an age group, then scroll through to availabe poets and poems. Click your choice of poet and poem to see the entire poem. Under Learn a Poem find specific activities for memorizing a poem. Read and record the poem using the link to the microphone icon; you may have to allow your computer access to the microphone before recording is allowed. Some of the activities ask you to watch a YouTube video. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): creative writing (124), poetry (193)
In the Classroom
Be sure to use this site as inspiration for poetry writing for your students. Take advantage of the activities offered with each poem. Allow students to record themselves reading poems, perhaps let them try several times to develop fluency. When your students are ready to write their own poems, use Ourboox, reviewed here. Ourboox creates beautiful page-flipping digital books in minutes, and you can embed video, music, animation, games, maps and more. View all of TeachersFirst's Editor's Choices for Poetry Month here.Storyberries - Jade Maitre
Grades
K to 5Storyberries offers free bedtime stories and poems for kids in an easy to use format for adults. Stories include classics such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff and original compositions...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Storyberries offers free bedtime stories and poems for kids in an easy to use format for adults. Stories include classics such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff and original compositions submitted through the site. Browse through the home page to find popular stories or use the links at the top of the page to search by age, topic, or moral taught. One great feature is the ability to find stories by length from five minutes through chapter books. Each story also includes additional questions to use for further discussion.
tag(s): book lists (167), poetry (193), short stories (18), stories and storytelling (58)
In the Classroom
Bookmark Storyberries as an excellent resource for short read alouds or as a source for stories relating to many different emotions and themes. Share a link on your class website or newsletter for parents to use at home. Use this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector as you read aloud for students to follow along; occasionally stop and allow students to read portions of the book. Use this site as a resource for additional reading materials in the classroom by creating a link on classroom computers. Share Storyberries on your classroom website or in your Google Classroom for parent and student use at home during distant learning or extended absences.Diamante Poems - ReadWriteThink
Grades
2 to 8Diamonds are forever, and so are diamante poems created on this free site. Find a great tool to shape up your poets through the structure of a seven lined diamante ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Diamonds are forever, and so are diamante poems created on this free site. Find a great tool to shape up your poets through the structure of a seven lined diamante poem. Learn about the diamond-shaped poems that use specific types of words for each line. Rhyming isn't needed, but needn't be impeded. Describe a central topic or two opposing topics like night and day. View the examples before creating your poem. Each screen provides an organizer for any poet to complete. Click on the parts of speech for definitions while composing poems. Edit your poem, if needed, before printing, downloading it as a PDF, or sharing through email. Save your draft to continue at a later date. This site is a must during poetry month in April.
tag(s): antonyms (12), firstday (22), parts of speech (39), poetry (193), rhymes (22), synonyms (15)
In the Classroom
Diamante poems are a fun format to write about a single topic or to compare/contrast two topics. Review parts of speech and then apply these concepts with writing diamante poems. Work the idea of cause and effect into the diamante poem format for a challenging activity with your poets. Provide students with diamante poems with a few words missing and have them fill in the blanks to complete the poem. Compare or contrast text passages for any subject area or use the diamante format to summarize a selection. Provide your students with images, and have them write diamante poems about the images. Make homemade greeting cards with your students to give using this format of poetry or write "about me" poems using this tool at the start of school.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Kids Magnetic Poetry Kit - McDonagh Brothers
Grades
K to 5Create and play with poetry using this interactive magnetic poetry kit! Drag words from the word bank onto the blank board to build poems. Click the more words option to ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Create and play with poetry using this interactive magnetic poetry kit! Drag words from the word bank onto the blank board to build poems. Click the more words option to find additional words for use. When finished, save and share to Facebook or via email using the form provided.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): interactive stories (22), poetry (193), sight words (23)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your projector or interactive whiteboard for students to see how to create a poem. Use this site to practice sight words. The magnetic poetry kit would make an excellent center activity for use during Poetry Month. Create a shortcut on classroom computers and let students create their own poems. Share completed poems on a class bulletin board or your class website. Take a screenshot (PrntScrn button, then PASTE on a WIndows machine or Command+Shift+4 on a Mac to save a screenshot) of the completed poems to put into a digital portfolio such as Seesaw, reviewed here. View all of TeachersFirst's Editor's Choices for Poetry Month here.Power Poetry - Power Poetry
Grades
8 to 12Encourage budding poets with Power Poetry. Power Poetry's mission is to close the literacy gap through poetry. This is a community where young people of all backgrounds come together...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Encourage budding poets with Power Poetry. Power Poetry's mission is to close the literacy gap through poetry. This is a community where young people of all backgrounds come together to process their emotions using poetry. Find challenges to write about social issues or to write a poem in only 140 characters. Scroll down the page and point out the topic "7 Famous Poetic Pop Songs" where students are sure to recognize current singer/song writers. Find many supportive community members to encourage you to develop your voice. From the dropdown menu on the top click Resources then Teachers to find lesson plans, a free "How to Teach Poetry" course, and lots more. Poets are free to write about any subject; however, there are site guidelines to prevent hate speech and other inappropriate content. Join with a username and email address. On your profile, there is the option of sharing your first name and last initial, profile picture, and a short biography. You can message each other within the site, but this feature can be disabled from account settings.
tag(s): poetry (193), social and emotional learning (102)
In the Classroom
Encourage your most avid writers to submit their poetry to this site. Use your whiteboard or projector to show them the "Take Action Guides." There you will find many issues of concern to youth today. Most students will enjoy uniting multimedia, poetry, and activism in one place. Challenge your students to choose a contemorary poet, either from this site's list or one they know of, and study their poetic form, then to write a poem in that poet's style. Enhance learning by having students keep a blog using a tool like Penzu, reviewed here, to write down their thoughts as they investigate different parts of this site. This will help them when it comes time to write their own poem. With Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. Then extend learning by having students either publish their poems on the site or by using a multimedia tool like Genially, reviewed here, and publish their poems on your classroom or school web page. Counselors may want to encourage disenfranchised students to join the site and write about their deepest feelings. This is a supportive community that encourages students to develop their own voice.Theme Poem Generator - Read, Write, Think - International Reading Association
Grades
K to 4Engage students while learning about poetry with this easy to use Theme Poem Generator (formerly known as Shape Poem Generator). Type in the author's name and see an example of ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Engage students while learning about poetry with this easy to use Theme Poem Generator (formerly known as Shape Poem Generator). Type in the author's name and see an example of a Theme Poem. Choices of themes include nature, school, celebrations, and sports. Each theme offers several choices of shapes. Choose a shape and then type in several words or phrases that go along with the shape. Make a title and use the words and phrases as ideas to include in the poem. When finished, read the poem, go back and edit, or print the link on the page.
tag(s): poetry (193)