Poetry resources

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National Poetry Day - 2 October 2014

National Poetry Day is a nationwide celebration of poetry held on the first Thursday in October. This year's National Poetry Day takes place on Thursday 2 October 2014 and the theme this year is 'Remember', which also links into the multilingual 'Mother Tongue Other Tongue' poetry competition. So why not inspire your students to celebrate the day, get creative and enter the contest? We've sourced some resources and links to websites below to help you get started.

Gaelic

The following Gaelic poetry resources can be downloaded, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Chinese

The following resources can be downloaded, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

French

The following resources can either be downloaded or linked to, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Primary

These resources can be used with primary age children to explore phonics and rhyme in French.

  • Fiche intrus syllabe d'attaque et de rime - these printable worksheets can be used with primary age children to explore phonics and rhyme in French.
  • Phonics - downloadable worksheets in French with hand gestures and rhymes to practice each sound.

General

  • French Scots words (pdf) - produced by SCILT
  • National Poetry Day 2013 - this slideshow, produced by SCILT, features a selection of poetry texts with accompanying translations. As the theme for NPD 2013 was water, the resource includes links to some authentic resources about water and environment. Suitable for learners in upper Primary and BGE stages.
  • Les metaphores - there are also Spanish and English (generic) versions of this lesson plan in the relevant sections.

German

The following German poetry resources can either be downloaded or linked to, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Primary - early Secondary

  • Goldene Welt - this autumn themed poetry resource was adapted from the Goethe Institut’s “Four Seasons“ project.

General

  • Seasonal poetry readings - hear a selection of poems in German by famous German poets on the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
  • Ein Wintergedicht - a German winter poem and resource adapted from rosered27's contribution to TES connect (July 2014).

Italian

The following Italian poetry resources can either be downloaded or linked to, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Spanish

The following Spanish poetry resources can either be downloaded or linked to, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Primary

This resource developed by SCILT combines a number of creative writing techniques to encourage a sensory approach to writing poetry. It takes as its inspiration the accessible bilingual poem “Colours Crackle, Colours Roar” by Pat Mora.

Explore the environment with colours in this primary school poem by Gloria Fuertes:

Watch this nursery rhyme by the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado sung in Spanish:

  • La Plaza Tiene Una Torre por Antonio Machado.  This simple, repetitive poem can be sung or read. The repetition of “tiene” makes it an engaging way to introduce the verb “tener”.

Secondary

This poem by Mario Benedetti employs both the preterite and imperfect tenses and is an accessible poem for most senior pupils.

The following lesson plan has been developed by SCILT and explores the subject of metaphors:

  • Las metaforas you can also find French and English (generic) versions of this resource in the appropriate sections.

Urdu

The following Urdu poetry resources can be downloaded, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest.

Generic poetry and language resources

The following are general poetry resources produced by SCILT and are suitable for use across all languages.

Other world languages

Follow the links below to poems, rhymes and songs from around the world.

Scots

The following Scots poetry resources can either be be downloaded or linked to, or see the list of websites below which may also be of interest. 

A selection of Scots resources produced by K Lucas and C Stein.

Websites

La Guitarra by Federico Garcia Lorca - Famous poems, famous poets. - All Poetry

30 July 2024

"La Guitarra" by Federico Garcia Lorca with English Translation

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This is how we learn Spanish blog

08 July 2022

Spanish poetry resources and lesson ideas from 'This is how we learn Spanish'

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Poema a un instrumento musical

08 July 2022

Poems written about instruments based on Frederico Garcia Lorca's "La Guitarra"

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Ideas for National Poetry Day ¡Vámonos!

08 October 2021

Article contains links to poems for children in Spanish and Italian

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Changing Phase: Poesía - an anthology of Spanish poems for beginner learners

24 August 2021

A collection of 25 poems for primary Spanish learners.

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Spanish Poems for Kids - Spanish Playground

11 September 2018

Spanish poems for kids chosen carefully for language learners. Many short, easy poems about seasons, animals and the natural world. Activities included.

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Poemas cortos de animales para leer a los niños

19 January 2017

Short Spanish poems about animals

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Little Red Languages: Spanish Poems

06 November 2015

Short Spanish poems narrated by a native Spanish speaker

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Spanish poems about Fall by Douglas Wright

11 September 2015

Two short Spanish poems about fall. They are perfect to use with Spanish language learners. The vocabulary is not complicated, and the rhythm helps children read them aloud and recite from memory.

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Spanish poem about Autumn

07 August 2015

An easy Spanish poem about leaves falling in Autumn. Also includes actions for younger learners to reinforce the meaning of the words.

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Buscador de poemas y poesías en español

05 August 2014

Searchable database of Spanish language poems

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South American poetry | Scottish Poetry Library

05 August 2014

Poetry from South America from the Scottish Poetry Library

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There are a number of celebrations, festivals and opportunities throughout the year which could also be used to celebrate poetry.  Below are some of our suggestions listed by month.

August
  • Centenary of the outbreak of WW1 - explore a range of WW1 teaching resources for use in the secondary school classroom.  The site includes poetry from WW1 and language resources and themes to inspire creative writing.
  • War poems - poems written by those with loved ones involved in conflict 
September
  • European Day of Languages (26 September) - the aim of EDL is to celebrate linguistic diversity by showing people across Europe how important all the languages of our world are, and how much fun learning them can be.  The European Day of Languages is all about finding a way to get people in schools, colleges and the wider community excited about languages. How are you going to celebrate this year?  Visit our EDL 2014 webpage for suggestions.  Or how about holding a poetry competition in your school and, if your school is within Glasgow's authority, entering Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2014?
October
November
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Poems about bilingualism

Resources suitable for secondary.

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