World Poetry Day
From UNESCO
Resource type: Event
Price band: Free
Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, EYFS
Region(s): All of UK
World Poetry Day is celebrated on 21st March. The date was adopted by UNESCO in 1999 with the aim of recognising and celebrating one of our oldest and most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression.
World Poetry Day provides an opportunity to honour poets around the world and to promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry in all its forms.
Cost: Free.
About UNESCO: UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Its aim is to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development through international cooperation in the key areas of Education, Science and Culture.
Further resources:
- Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho has launched Poetry Prompts, a series of weekly bitesize videos designed to celebrate and demystify the reading and writing of poetry.
- Watch Michael Rosen perform his poems and stories on the Michael Rosen Video Channel.
- The Foyles Young Poets of the Year Award 2024 opens for entries in March. Young people aged 11-17 can submit their poems on any theme until the end of July.
- Sign your primary pupils up for the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme in May to explore and perform the work of poets shortlisted for the annual Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award.
- Sign up for CLPE’s one day course on 22nd May 2024 exploring how poetry can be used across the curriculum to raise engagement and attainment in reading and writing with award-winning poet Kate Wakeling.
- Interested in running an in-school workshop with a poet? The Poetry Society offers a service matching poets with schools.
- Authors Live On Demand has a bank of free recorded events featuring poets performing and talking about their work. See the selection here.
- Find a comprehensive bank of resources to support the teaching of poetry in the primary classroom at the National Poetry Centre for Primary Schools.
- The BBC Teach website also has a range of Poetry Resources for primary and secondary teachers.
- Find more primary poetry recommendations and reviews at Books for Topics and Just Imagine.
- Explore the bank of poems for students of all ages on the Poetry by Heart website and find out how to get involved with next year’s Poetry by Heart poetry speaking competition.
- Generate ideas for poetry writing with a jar of Poetry Stones.
- Find more resources to support poetry all through the year here.
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