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Teaching Poetry in 3rd Grade

March 28, 2022 by Hannah

Poetry in the classroom can be such a fun and engaging topic to teach and talk about! Today I am going to share with you a few poetry activities that will make students interested in poetry and the analysis of it.

The Introduction to Poetry in 3rd Grade

Introducing poetry can be quite fun with this simple activity! 

Students have heard about poems before, but they may not know all the elements or types. What you will do to introduce this concept is tell the students they have 15 minutes to write a poem. You don’t care what it is about or how it goes. You can have them do this alone or with a partner.

Then, you will actually talk about the elements of poetry and find those elements within their poem. If they don’t have them, they can add them.

Teaching the Elements of Poetry 

The different elements of poetry are essential when it comes to students understanding how to analyze poetry. But doing this is so easy! All you need to do is show an anchor chart of all the elements and explicitly teach them each element by reading a poem to them (Shel Silverstein is always a great place to start).

Then, allow them to read poems on their own and find the different elements throughout the poem!

Check out this book on EPIC to show students the different elements of poetry!

Teaching Poetry by Analyzing Real Poems

Once they know the elements of poetry it is time to teach them how to analyze and understand poetry. I like to give them the checklist in the picture below.

Then, we read through several poems together going over our questions.

Write Your Own Poems

You have to let kiddos write poems. They get so creative when writing poetry.

I like to have them start the week by writing a biography poem. But free verse poetry is the best way to let kids write poems. They can get so creative!

After allowing them to write a poem, partner them up and allow them to analyze each other’s poems with the checklist! 

Looking at Different Types of Poems to Teach Poetry 

The last part of teaching poetry is to look at all the different types of poems. There is a GREAT book on EPIC that teaches this for you!

I love for the students to do some independent teaching here. What they do is read through the book “How to Write a Poem”. Then, it tells them to write a poem at each stopping point. They can read the book and write the poems. When done, you can share their poems!

Find the book here!

The Poetry Party!

The best poetry activity there is, is the poetry party! 

• Students will have to prepare a poem for the poetry party.
• Allow each student to read aloud to the class the poem they created. Ask for donations of refreshments and pastries for students to enjoy while they listen.
• After each student has shared their poem, have them partner up. They will practice analyzing each other’s poems using the strategies that they learned throughout the week.
• Do this several times with different partners.
• Additional ideas: Add engagement by turning your room into a coffee shop and having a real life poetry slam. Let students use technology to type their poems and add pictures, make a class book of the poems and leave them in the library, invite parents in to listen to the poems, or go read the poems to a younger group of students.

Want this poetry week prepped and ready to go for you? Head here!

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35 Wonderful 3rd Grade Poems for the Classroom

Love for poetry starts early.

There’s something so sweet about third grade poems. The kids are ready to tackle more complex themes and vocabulary, but the poetry is still so endearing and innocent. We’ve put together a list of engaging poems that will delight and spark a conversation among your third grade students.

1. Daisies by Frank Dempster Sherman

“At evening when I go to bed …”

2. Online Is Fine by Kenn Nesbitt

“The schools are all open but …”

3. Little Rain by Elizabeth Madox Roberts

“When I was making myself a game …”

4. If Love Were Mine by Annette Wynne

“I know what I would do …”

5. To a Child by William Wordsworth

“Small service is true service while it lasts …”

6. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

“Shadows on the wall / Noises down the hall …”

7. The Blade and the Ax by Abimbola T. Alabi

“On a bench, in Joe’s little shed …”

8. The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“He clasps the crag with crooked hands …”

9. Falling Snow by Anonymous

“See the pretty snowflakes …”

10. The Dolly by Jeanette Cheal

“The dolly sat upon the shelf …”

11. The Snowflake by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

“It was a little snowflake …”

12. Coasting Down the Hill by Anonymous

“Frosty is the morning …”

13. A Pleasant Ship by Emilie Poulsson

“I saw a ship a-sailing …”

14. If I Were a Sunbeam by Alice Cary

“I know what I’d do.”

15. The Sparrow by Anonymous

“Glad to see you, little bird …”

16. Today I Wrote This Poem by Kenn Nesbitt

“… but I’m not sure if it’s good.”

17. Pretty Is That Pretty Does by Alice Cary

“The spider wears a plain brown dress …”

18. Birdie’s Morning Song by George Cooper

“Wake up, little darling, the birdies are out …”

19. Trees by Joyce Kilmer

“I think that I shall never see / A poem as lovely as a tree …”

20. Cheerfulness by Marian Douglas

“There is a little maiden … / Who always has a welcome …”

21. Which Way Does the Wind Blow? by Lucy Aikin

“And where does he go?”

22. The Wind and the Leaves by George Cooper

“‘Come, little leaves,’ said the wind one day.”

23. Lullaby by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“Sweet and low, sweet and low …”

24. March by Mary Mapes Dodge

“In the snowing and the blowing …”

25. The Rabbit by Elizabeth Madox Roberts

“When they said the time to hide was mine …”

26. Every Time I Climb a Tree by David McCord

“I scrape a leg …”

27. A Mortifying Mistake by Anna Marie Pratt

“I STUDIED my tables over and over, and backward and forward, too …”

28. Kindness to Animals from The Book of Virtues

“Little children, never give / Pain to things that feel and live …”

29. Be Kind by Alice Joyce Davidson

“Just a little bit of kindness / Can go a long, long way …”

30. When the Teacher Isn’t Looking by Kenn Nesbitt

“No one throws a pencil …”

31. The Song of the Jellicles by T. S. Eliot

“Jellicle Cats come out tonight …”

32. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

“Whose woods these are I think I know …”

33. Your World by Georgia Douglas Johnson

“Your world is as big as you make it.”

34. The Jumblies by Edward Lear

“THEY went to sea in a Sieve, they did …”

35. Something Told the Wild Geese by Rachel Field

“It was time to go.”

Love these third grade poems and want more suggestions? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletters so you can get our latest picks.

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ELA  /  3rd Grade  /  Unit 7: Poetry

Students explore the world of poetry by reading, discussing and writing about a selection of carefully chosen poems, realizing that poetry can inspire, motivate, and help them see things in a new way.

This unit has been archived. To view our updated curriculum, visit our 3rd Grade English Language Arts course.

• Text and Materials

Unit Summary

In this unit students begin to explore the world of poetry. By reading a wide variety of poems, students will see the power of the precise words and carefully chosen language used by poets. Students will also understand that poets use poetry, in a way that is different than prose, to share their thoughts, experiences, and strong feelings about something. Additionally, students will realize that poetry can inspire, motivate, awaken, amuse, and help them see things in a new way. It is important to note that the focus of this unit is primarily on familiarizing students with the nuances of the genre. In later units and grades, students will be pushed to think analytically and critically across poems, but in order to do so they need to understand the foundational aspects of poetry.

Because the focus of this unit is on teaching students the foundational aspects of poetry, parts of this unit will feel more skill-based than others. To access poetry at a more complex level in later grades, students must be able to name and explain the different structural elements of poetry. Therefore, these key structural elements are explicitly taught in this unit. After learning about each different element, students will be challenged to think about why the poet wrote with that structure and how the structural decisions a poet makes helps readers better understand the central message of the poem. While one of the main focuses of the unit is learning the structural elements of poetry, these structural elements should never be discussed independent of the central message of the poem. The structural elements a poet includes enhance the overall message of the poem; therefore, it is critical to discuss both simultaneously.

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Texts and Materials

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Core Materials

Book:  The Random House Book of Poetry for Children by Jack Prelutsky (September, 1983)

These assessments accompany this unit to help gauge student understanding of key unit content and skills.

Download Cold Read Assessment

Download Cold Read Assessment Answer Key

Intellectual Prep

Suggestions for how to prepare to teach this unit

Building Content Knowledge:

• Research and learn about the different structural elements of poetry and why poets use different structures.

Internalizing Text and Standards:

• Read all unit poems. Annotate focus poems and additional poems for evidence of structural elements and the central message of the poem.
• Take unit assessment. Notice evidence of unit priority standards. Write exemplar student response.
• Plan ways to reinforce vocabulary over the course of the unit so that students have fully internalized all unit-specific vocabulary.
• SL3.5 expects students to create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace. Think of ways to spiral this throughout the unit so that all students have a chance to practice reading poems out loud and also have a chance create an audio recording of a poem.

Essential Questions

The central thematic questions addressed in the unit or across units

• Where do poets get their ideas and inspirations?
• What is a poem? How do you read a poem?
• What is the difference between literal and nonliteral language? Why do authors include both?

Writing Focus Areas

Specific skills to focus on when giving feedback on writing assignments

Literary Analysis Writing Focus Areas

• Makes a correct claim that connects to the topic and shows understanding of the text
• Refers to more than one text-based detail from the text
• Writes two to three sentences about each text-based reason
• Uses transition words and phrases to connect evidence to reasons
• Uses paragraphs to group ideas and evidence
• Writes paragraphs that are relevant to the overall claim
• Writes paragraphs that show coherence, clarity, and cohesion
• Uses domain-specific vocabulary

Language Focus Areas

• Uses nouns to show a picture of people, places, and things. (spiral)
• Uses plural nouns to show more than one person, place, or thing. (spiral)
• Uses plural nouns to show more than one person, place, or thing. Sometimes plural nouns are irregular. (spiral)
• Uses abstract nouns to refer to an idea or concept. Abstract nouns are things that you can’t see or touch. (spiral)
• Uses pronouns to substitute for nouns. (spiral)
• Matches pronouns by number, person, and ownership. (spiral)
• Uses verbs to show action. (spiral)
• Uses verbs of being to show what things are like (are, was, were, be, been, and am). (spiral)
• Uses verbs to show time: past, present, and future. (spiral)
• Uses irregular verbs. (spiral)
• Uses and understands simple sentences. (spiral)

There are no new language focuses in this unit. The focus of this unit should be on spiraling language focus areas from the previous two units. Use data to plan targeted feedback and review of previously taught focus areas.

Foundational Skills

Phonics and word recognition focus areas.

• Readers use syllabication rules to sound out and tackle new words
• Students use spelling patterns and generalizations to write words correctly.

As part of the vocabulary routine for this unit students will practice using syllabication patterns to break down vocabulary words. Students will identify practice identifying the number of syllables and use knowledge of syllabication patterns to explain how they determined the number of syllables. This vocabulary and word-work routine should take place daily.

During writing conferences, review with students known spelling patterns and syllabication to spell words correctly. If needed, have students consult a beginning dictionary to confirm the meaning of the word.

Suggested Supports:

• Find the word in the sentence. 
• Identify the number of syllables and explain how you determined the number of syllables by explaining the type of syllable
• Read the sentence. Determine which words in the sentence give a clue about the meaning of the word. 
• Determine a potential meaning of the word.
• Check to see if the meaning makes sense in the sentence.

Fluency Focus Areas

• Readers read with expression and volume to match interpretation of the passage (spiral)
• Readers use proper intonation to show interpretation of the passage (spiral)
• Readers self-correct when reading difficult words and sentence structures. (spiral)
• Readers read smoothly and with accuracy. (spiral)
• Readers use proper intonation to show interpretation of the passage. (spiral)
• Readers adjust reading rate depending on the purpose for reading and task. (spiral)

There are no new fluency focuses in this unit. The focus of this unit should be on spiraling fluency focus areas from the previous two units, including reading with smoothness, accuracy, and expression. Use data to plan targeted feedback and review of previously taught focus areas.

Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text

There are no new vocabulary focuses in this unit. Readers should focus on vocabulary strategies from the previous two units; using context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase, and using syllabication rules to sound out and tackle new words. Use data to plan targeted feedback and review of previously taught focus areas.

Literary Terms

alliteration figurative language metaphor onomatopoeia personification repetition rhyme scheme simile

rhyme scheme, rhythm, stanza, verse, free verse, imagery, simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia, repetition

To see all the vocabulary for Unit 7, view our 3rd Grade Vocabulary Glossary .

Content Knowledge and Connections

Fishtank ELA units related to the content in this unit.

• Two main types of poetry are poems that have a specific rhyme scheme and poems that are written as free verse.
• Free-verse poetry is free from the usual rules of poetry. Free verse may have rhyming words, but it doesn’t have to. Free verse could look like a paragraph, sentences, phrases, or just single words on a line. Punctuation may be missing or may be used to give certain words great emphasis. Often free verse poetry has colorful words, punctuation, and word placement to help readers get the overall message.
• Poems have different types of rhyme. End rhymes occur at the end of two or more lines of verse (the last word in the line or in the second line). (Examples of end rhymes include abcb and aa , bb .)
• Poems use various types of figurative language, such as alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, and metaphor, to help create a picture in the reader’s mind.
• Concrete poems are poems that look like what they are about.

Future Fishtank ELA Connections

• 4th Grade ELA - Believing in Yourself: The Wild Book
• 6th Grade ELA - Poetry
• 7th Grade ELA - American Poetry

Supporting All Students

In order to ensure that all students are able to access the texts and tasks in this unit, it is incredibly important to intellectually prepare to teach the unit prior to launching the unit. Use the intellectual preparation protocol and the Unit Launch to determine which support students will need. To learn more, visit the Supporting all Students teacher tool.

Explain why some poets choose to write in free verse and other poets choose to include rhyme scheme by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

RL.3.2 RL.3.5

Explain why some poets use alliteration and similes by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

Explain why some poets choose to include onomatopoeia by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

Analyze and explain why some poets use repetition by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

RL.3.2 RL.3.3

Discussion & Writing

Explain how different poets use the structural elements of poetry to help readers better understand the ways of living things by stating a claim and providing evidence from multiple sources to support the claim.

RL.3.2 RL.3.5 W.3.1

Explain why some poets use personification by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

Explain why some poets choose to use metaphors by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

RL.3.3 RL.3.5

Describe how the poet uses the structural elements of poetry to help readers better understand the central message of a poem by identifying and explaining the elements of poetry found in various poems about nature.

Explain how different poets use the structural elements of poetry to help readers better understand the city by stating a claim and providing evidence from multiple sources to support the claim.

Writing  – 3 days

Write a personal poem using strategies learned from studying poets in the unit.

SL.3.5 W.3.3

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Common Core Standards

Core standards.

The content standards covered in this unit

Language Standards

L.3.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

L.3.2 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

L.3.3 — Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

L.3.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

L.3.5 — Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

L.3.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships (e.g., After dinner that night we went looking for them).

Reading Standards: Foundational Skills

RF.3.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

RF.3.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

RF.3.4.a — Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.

RF.3.4.c — Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.3.1 — Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

RL.3.2 — Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

RL.3.3 — Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

RL.3.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

RL.3.5 — Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.

RL.3.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2—3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Speaking and Listening Standards

SL.3.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.3.5 — Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details.

SL.3.6 — Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

Writing Standards

W.3.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

W.3.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

W.3.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

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Free Printable Poems Worksheets for 3rd Grade

Poems: Discover a world of creativity with our free printable Reading & Writing worksheets for Grade 3 students. Enhance their literary skills while exploring the beauty of poetry. Join Quizizz for endless learning opportunities!

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Explore printable Poems worksheets for 3rd Grade

Poems worksheets for Grade 3 are an excellent resource for teachers looking to engage their students in the world of poetry while simultaneously improving their reading and writing skills. These worksheets cover a wide range of topics, including different reading genres and types, allowing students to explore various forms of literature and develop a deeper understanding of the written word. By incorporating these worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can provide a well-rounded education that not only focuses on reading comprehension but also encourages creativity and self-expression. With a variety of activities, such as fill-in-the-blank exercises, rhyming games, and creative writing prompts, Grade 3 students will be able to hone their literary abilities while having fun with poetry.

Quizizz is a fantastic platform that offers a plethora of resources for teachers, including Poems worksheets for Grade 3, to help enhance their students' reading and writing skills. With its interactive quizzes and engaging activities, Quizizz makes learning about reading genres and types enjoyable and accessible for students of all abilities. Teachers can easily create customized quizzes to test their students' understanding of specific reading materials or use the platform's extensive library of pre-made quizzes to supplement their lesson plans. In addition to its vast selection of worksheets and quizzes, Quizizz also offers valuable analytics and insights to help teachers track their students' progress and identify areas for improvement. By incorporating Quizizz into their teaching strategies, educators can provide a dynamic and effective learning experience for their Grade 3 students.

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49 3rd Grade Poems To Add Interest To Verse Analysis

October 18, 2023 //  by  Eileen Zajac

Poetry is a form of art and a wonderful way of expressing emotions.  Bringing poems into your classroom can help with teaching your kids how to better express themselves. Although some students avoid reading and writing at all costs, even students who might shy away from even the thought of words can be coaxed into loving poems—that is of course, if you can find the right poems to engage them. Finding poems that young people will fall head over heels for can be a difficult task, but we’ve put together this list of 49 diverse poems that are sure to do the trick! Get reading to find your new favorites! 

1. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Here, Robert Frost paints a serene winter scene; reflecting on the beauty of nature and the pull of obligations.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

2. “When the Teacher Isn’t Looking” by Kenn Nesbitt

Your students will get a laugh out of this playful poem by Kenn Nesbitt that captures the mischief that children get into when they think they’re unsupervised.

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

3. “Every Time I Climb a Tree” by David McCord

David McCord celebrates the joys and perils of a child’s adventurous climb in this simple, rhythmic poem. Invite your kids to consider what they’ve seen while climbing trees—maybe they can pen their own poems to describe it!

Learn More: Read Good Poetry

4. “Kindness to Animals” from The Book of Virtues

Start a discussion with your kids about compassion and care for animals by reading this anonymous poem from The Book of Virtues. The gentle descriptions of animals’ activities will help your students relate to nature and cement an understanding of their responsibility toward it.

Learn More: Lark’s Last Tape

5. “I Let My Sister Cut My Hair” by Kenn Nesbitt

Here, Kenn Nesbitt humorously portrays a child’s regret after a hasty hair decision. Your kids with younger siblings will undoubtedly get a kick out of this one!

6. “The Song of Jellicles” by T. S. Elliot

T.S. Eliot introduces the unique jellicle cats in a rhythmic, whimsical manner. This poem is a clever way to introduce some new vocabulary words to your kids! 

Learn More: All Poetry

7. “My Flat Cat” by Kenn Nesbitt

Calling all feline fanatics! Another Nesbitt creation, “My Flat Cat”  humorously and succinctly explores the consequences of a cat’s curious adventure.

8. “A Mortifying Mistake” by Anna Marie Pratt

A Mortifying Mistake is a vivid, relatable tale about a child’s hard work to memorize schoolwork—and their embarrassment at their public mistake!

Learn More: Poetry Explorer

9. “Your World” by Georgina Douglas Johnson

Georgina Douglas Johnson encourages readers to embrace the world in this inspiring poem— hinting at its vastness and the opportunities are yours for the taking!.

10. The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash narrates a delightful tale of a cowardly dragon and his brave adventures. We guarantee that your kids will love the evocative descriptions and fanciful details.

Learn More: Holy Joe

11. Now We Are Six By: A.A. Milne

Here, A.A. Milne explores the pride and sense of maturity a child feels at the age of six.  

Learn More: Family Friendly Poems

12. “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow recounts the historic midnight ride of Paul Revere in a captivating rhythm. This is an excellent way to tie your poetry study into a history lesson.

Learn More: Poets

13. “Be Kind” by Alice Joyce Davidson

Alice Joyce Davidson delivers a heartfelt but gentle message about the importance of kindness in this simple poem. Use it as an introduction to discussing the importance of acting out of kindness in everything we do.

Learn More: Best Poems

14. “If” by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling offers timeless life lessons and wisdom on resilience and integrity in this classic poem. This one will introduce important real-world concepts to your kids in a simple, age-appropriate manner.

15. “The Jumblies” by Edward Lear

This longer poem by Edward Lear is a vivid and whimsical tale of the adventurous Jumblies and their sea journey in a sieve.

Learn More: Project Gutenberg

16. “I’m Keeping My Distance” by Kenn Nesbitt

In I’m Keeping My Distance , Nesbitt humorously addresses the quirks of personal space and social distancing in a relatable way.

17. “Something Told the Wild Geese” by Rachel Field

Rachel Field beautifully describes the changing seasons and nature’s cues in this imagery-filled poem. Have your student think about the descriptive language used and how it paints a picture of the season of fall. 

Learn More: National Poetry Day UK

18. “You Can Argue With a Tennis Ball” by Kenn Nesbitt

The more stubborn among your students will surely enjoy this poem about arguments—and a suggested limit!Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

19. “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” by Walt Whitman

In this classic poem, Walt Whitman contrasts academic learning with the profound experience of nature. This is another more mature concept that will really get your 3rd graders thinking about different ways of learning from, and experiencing, life.

20. “Fireflies” by Paul Fleischman

Introduce your students to the effect of different voices in poetry with this imaginative poem. Have your kids read the poem aloud to better experience the expressive description of fireflies’ activity on a summer’s night.

Learn More: Get Lit

21. “Weather” by Eve Merriman

Here, Eve Merriman delves into the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of weather in this rhythmic account of a rainy day. This is a great way to introduce your students to rhythm and onomatopoeia in poetry.  

Learn More: Poetry Nook

22. Bats By: Randall Jarrell

Your little animal lovers will be fascinated by Bats, Randall Jarrell’s poetic and extremely detailed dive into the world of these nocturnal wonders.

Learn More: Mini Ruby

23. “Mice in the Hay” by Lesley Norris

Your 3rd graders will love how Lesley Norris’s Mice in the Hay looks tenderly and playfully at the first Christmas, using the perspective of mice who are present in the stable.

Learn More: Prestonwood Christian

24. “Today I Wore a Costume” by Kenn Nesbitt

Your kids—and their parents—will love Nesbitt’s delightful exploration of a child’s imagination and the joy of dressing up—not to mention the joy of interrupting their parents while working!

25. “Eating While Reading” by Gary Soto

With figurative language and evocative imagery, Gary Soto portrays the pleasure of munching snacks while engrossed in a good book.

Learn More: S Teach 4 Fun

26. “What Have We Done Today?” by Nixon Waterman

This lyrical poem by Nixon Waterman is a gentle choice to help your kids reflect on their daily deeds and purpose. It focuses on the importance of living in the moment and making the most of every day- not just dreaming about the future.

Learn More: Stressless Country

27. “A Wrecker or a builder?” by Edgar A. Guest

In this contemplative poem, Edgar A. Guest paints a clever picture to help your students consider the impact of their actions on the world. The construction analogy is a great way for your kids to understand the power they have to affect those around them.

Learn More: Annapolis Christian Academy

28. “Online Is Fine” by Kenn Nesbitt

Many of your kids will be able to relate to this poem as Nesbitt humorously addresses the joys and pitfalls of the digital world for students.

29. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll takes us into a fantastical world with nonsensical words and a brave protagonist battling the titular beast. Although the language may be challenging for some, your stronger readers will be enchanted by the cautionary tale of the fearsome Jabberwock. 

30. “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

This  classic narrative poem details the intense pressure of a baseball game. It’s a great way to teach your students about rhythm and narrative in poetry.

Learn More: Poets.org

31. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

This popular poem offers a lesson about making choices and their potential impact on our lives; it’s a great way to spark discussion with your kids about decisions and consequences.

32. “‘Hope’ Is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson

This short, inspiring poem can be used to introduce your students to metaphor and personification; inviting them to compare hope to a bird that stays with us always.

33. “Falling Up” by Shel Silverstein

This gem is a clever, humorous poem that plays with language and is sure to make your 3rd graders laugh.

Learn More: Shel Silverstein

34. “The Land of Nod” by Robert Louis Stevenson

This is a classic for a reason—it’s a fantastic poem that explores dreams and the imagery thereof. It’s another excellent choice to help your students understand the use of imagery and metaphors in poetry.

35. “The Tyger” by William Blake

This is a poem that explores the mystery of creation. Use it to spark a discussion with your students about analyzing metaphors and imagery.

Learn More: Poem Analysis

36. “Sick” by Shel Silverstein

This playful poem about a student’s attempt to skip school will captivate your 3rd graders. It’s a fun way for you to teach your kids about rhyme and rhythm.

Learn More: Family Friend Poems

37. “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson

This lovely poem about a child’s shadow is a great way to introduce your kids to the concept of personification in poetry. What is personification you ask? It’s a device that’s used to attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects or elements. 

Learn More: Scottish Poetry Library

38. “The New Kid on the Block” by Jack Prelutsky

 Unfortunately, being scared of a bully is probably a relatable feeling for many of your 3rd graders. This poem gently introduces the concept and is sure to get your kids thinking and talking about having respect for others whilst working to move away from common stereotypes.

Learn More: Weebly

39. “If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda

Here’s a simple yet profound love poem that will introduce your kids to the themes of love and memory. Incorporate this poem into your lessons if you want to discuss emotions and feelings in a deeper manner.

40. “The Pasture” by Robert Frost

This brief poem about working on a farm is a great introduction to natural imagery in poetry. It’s sure to inspire discussion about the beauty of nature.

41. “A Pizza the Size of the Sun” by Jack Prelutsky

Your kids will love this imaginative piece about baking a giant pizza. What a tasty way to help them understand the power of language!

Learn More: Poem Hunter

42. “My Parents Think I’m Sleeping” by Jack Prelutsky

This fun poem about what happens after bedtime, written from a child’s perspective, is a great way to engage your students and teach them about voice and perspective in poetry.

Learn More: Amazon

43. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by Jane Taylor

This classic nursery rhyme is perfect for introducing your students to the structure of poetry. Although the first verse is likely familiar to most of your kids, they may enjoy learning the rest of the song. 

Learn More: Literary Devices

44. “The Eagle” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

This short, powerful poem uses vivid imagery to describe an eagle in flight and is a good way to teach your kiddos about similes and metaphors.

45. “Sunflakes” by Frank Asch

This whimsical poem proposes a different way of experiencing weather and details how it would affect our playtime. Sunflakes makes a  great choice if you’re looking for a source to introduce your kiddos to the use of imagery in poetry and get them imagining different activities they’d engage in “If sunlight fell like snowflakes.”

Learn More: Your Daily Poem

46. “Fuzzy Wuzzy” by Anonymous

This funny poem is a classic that uses repetition and rhyming words. Incorporate it into a lesson that’s centered on like-sounds and phonemes.  

Learn More: 100 Best Poems

47. “Who Has Seen the Wind?” by Christina Rossetti

  Who has seen the wind is a great choice  for introducing your students to the concept of rhetorical questions in poetry and cause and effect in nature.

Learn More: National Poetry Day

48. “First Snow” by Mary Louise Allen

This beautiful poem about the magic of the first snowfall is a wonderful pick to introduce your students to the use of sensory language in poetry.

Learn More: Hewlett Woodmere

49. “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes

This is a powerful and inspiring poem about a mother’s advice to her son, perfect for discussing themes of perseverance and hope.

Poems: haiku and cinquain

Common Core Standards: Grade 3 Reading: Literature , Grade 3 Writing , Grade 3 Language

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.10, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.2

This worksheet originally published in English Made Easy Key Stage 2 for ages 8 to 9 by © Dorling Kindersley Limited .

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We had 50 minutes or so together, and in each group, we wrote a few group poems and one or two individual poems (first drafts only, of course, in that amount of time). I’ve written about how to do a couple of these before: biopoems and Things To Do poems (scroll to page 10 for directions).

Here are some more student drafts (mostly individual, with a few group poems thrown in)!

After the visit, I received a big envelope of letters from the kids. Over and over in their letters to me, the students proclaimed, “I AM A WRITER!” Or they signed them, “From Another Writer.” That made my heart sing. It was my #1 goal for my time with the third-graders…that each one would see himself or herself as a writer with things to say.

And they sent me poems! Poems with lines like:

Whisper to the licking night (Things to Do If You Are a Cat…)

Deep in space you race the stars (rocket)

I am a nice mouse so please don’t ice me (mask poem)

Orange little pumpkins (color poem)

these ladies rule and there black (ladybugs)

Terrific Young Little Educated Reader   (acrostic)

green klover in the green green grass (color poem)

I think you are cool (Roses Are Red poem)

Blue sky in the days (color poem)

Blue is a strong ocean (color poem)

I wish I could share ALL of the poems the students wrote, both while I was there and in letters to me afterward. Believe me when I say they’re the kinds of letters you keep to pull out on those not-so-great days. Kids told me all about their writing and also sometimes shared their fears about not being good enough at writing. I wrote a long letter back (sorry, teachers!). It was just awesome to feel like I connected with many of them, writer to writer.

Thank you, Sharon Stoick and all the 3rd-grade teachers, and thank you, students!

• Categories: Writers in the Schools
• Tags: biopoems , I Am poems , school visits , student poems , things to do if

One Response

Fantastic! This was great to read about — so up. I always loved writing with my students! So much fun to see their minds break loose!

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