April is National Poetry Month, an annual celebration of all things poetry. Inaugurated in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, this event highlights the importance of poetry in our culture and showcases the work of poets from all around the globe. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event!

All month long, we'll be posting about poetry on our Facebook and Twitter pages, so follow us (if you don't already) and stay tuned. You can also search for the official hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth to keep tabs on National Poetry Month celebrations and activities around the world—and tag your own posts with #NationalPoetryMonth and #PrestwickHouse to join in!

If you plan on bringing the National Poetry Month celebration to your classroom, our resources can help! Head to the English Teacher’s Free Library to find plenty of downloadable materials to share with your students. Here are some of our favorites:

Free Lesson Plans

• The Poetry of Bob Dylan Lesson Plan
• Rhyme and Repetition in Poe’s “Annabel Lee” Lesson Plan
• "Because I could not stop for Death" Lesson Plan
• Teaching Shakespeare: "Sonnet 73" Lesson Plan

Free Posters

• “In the desert” by Stephen Crane Poster and Worksheet
• “Oread” by H. D. Poster and Worksheet
• “Fog” by Carl Sandburg Poster and Worksheet
• “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost Poster
• “The Lamb” by William Blake Poster
• “The Tyger” by William Blake Poster

We also created a guide to some of our favorite free poetry materials from around the web. From lesson plans and videos to poet biographies and digital libraries, these free online poetry resources can be adapted for both in-school and distance learning.

Do you have any special plans for your students to mark the occasion? Let your fellow teachers know in the comments below!