The Laidback Librarian

Let’s be honest…

When you say the word “poetry” to students, you often get one of two reactions:

😐 blank stares
😩 dramatic groans

And honestly? I get it.

Poetry can feel confusing, intimidating, or just… not very exciting—especially if it’s taught in a super serious, over-analyzed way.

But here’s the good news:

Poetry doesn’t have to be boring.

In fact, it can be one of the most fun things you do in your library.

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✨Start with the Right Kind of Poems

Not all poetry is created equal—especially for kids. If you want engagement, start with poems that are funny, silly, relatable, and easy to understand

Think poems that make students laugh or say,
“Wait… that’s a poem?!

Once they realize poetry can be fun, everything changes.

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Get Them Them Laughing

If your poetry lesson doesn’t include at least a few giggles, we need to fix that.

Try:

• The Adventures of Reginald Stinkbottom by Sophia J Ferguson 
• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• The Armpit of Doom: Funny Poems for Kids (Kenn Nesbitt’s Hilarious Children’s Poems)
• Revolting Rhymes Paperback – Picture Book, September 3, 2009
• by Roald Dahl 

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Make It Interactive

Poetry was meant to be heard, not just read silently.

Bring it to life by:

• reading poems out loud with expression
• letting students perform poems
• doing echo reading or group reading
• adding movement or actions

Bonus: let them get a little dramatic. They won’t complain about poetry then 😄

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✍️ Keep Writing Simple

The fastest way to lose students?

👉 Overcomplicated writing assignments

Instead, try:

• acrostic poems
• fill-in-the-blank poems
• “finish the sentence” poems
• list poems

I have TONS of poem templates in my TPT store.

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🎨 Add Creativity (Without the Stress)

Not every poetry lesson needs a full art project—but a little creativity goes a long way.

Try:

• illustrating their poems
• turning poems into mini posters
• creating a quick class poetry display

It makes the experience feel more personal and fun.

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😎 Don’t Overanalyze Everything

This is a big one. You do not need to break down every line and literary device. Instead, focus on:

• “What did you like?”
• “What did this remind you of?”
• “How did it make you feel?”

Let poetry be something students experience, not just analyze.

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Celebrate Their Work

Kids are way more invested when they know their work matters.

Simple ideas:

• let them share with the class
• create a small display
• do a “poetry spotlight” moment

It doesn’t have to be fancy—just meaningful.

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🌿 The Laidback Librarian Approach

Here’s your reminder: Poetry lessons don’t need to be:

• complicated
• time-consuming
• or perfectly structured

They just need to be:
✔ engaging
✔ accessible
✔ and a little bit fun