Illustrations – After listening to a poem, have children close their eyes and make a picture of it in their heads. Then let them draw that picture on paper with crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
*Let children illustrate poems with water colors, chalk, or other media.
Collage
Let children choose a favorite poem and make a collage with magazine pictures, photographs, natural objects, or art media.
Pennants and Banners
Pennants and Banners
Cut pennant and banner shapes out of construction paper and let children write or illustrate poems on them. Write poems and turn them into windsocks.
Puzzle Poems
Cut cardboard or tag board into 12” squares. Let children write original poems or copy poems on the cardboard. Then give them makers and crayons to illustrate their poems. Finally, have them cut the square into puzzle shapes. Store in a zip bag. Let children exchange puzzles and put them together and read.
Poetry Quilt
Poetry Quilt
Give each child a square and let them write an original poem or rhyme on the square. Let them decorate a frame around their poem with crayons. Glue the children’s squares to a large sheet of bulletin board paper. Be sure to leave at least an Inch between the squares. Take 12” pieces of yarn and tie them in bows. Glue the bows between the squares so it will look like a quilt.
Puppets, Sculptures, and Bookmarks
Let children use a “scrap box” or “junk box” to create other “artful” objects for poems.