National Poetry Month (April)

This animation is part of TED's series, There's a Poem for That, which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings.

In this 15-minute video, former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins shares a project in which several of his poems were turned into animated films. Five of them are included in this entertaining and moving talk. Hear how much Collins values poetry and the appeal of this mixed genre project.

In this 10 minute video, Crash Course explores the poetry of American poet Emily Dickinson. Learn about her life, why her poems have remained relevant and her use of specific words and punctuation.

Experience Walt Whitman's poem 'A Noiseless Patient Spider' three times. The poem is recited three times, with different performers and with different animation each time. Related Lesson

Watch this great video with 5 steps to becoming a slam poet. Click on the Think link on the right side to find a short comprehension quiz. If you have time, Dig Deeper. Related Lesson

How do metaphors help us better understand the world? Explore these questions with writers who have mastered the art of bringing a scene or emotion to life.

In this animated video, David Silverstein describes what poetic repetition is and why it appeals to us. Rhythm and repetition, of language in this case, is something that brings pleasure to listeners and readers. Related Lesson

Have you heard of the early 20th century poet Guillaume Apollinaire? He created poetry that combined text and image in a way that was unusual. Learn about his life in France and his unique style. Related Lesson

Watch and listen to this poem about the immigrant experience of a young Muslim. Related Lesson

What exactly makes a poem … a poem? They can be a variety of styles and lengths. This video shares three recognizable characteristics of most poetry. Related Lesson

This video does an excellent job of explaining iambic pentameter and Shakespeare's language. This peek into the rhythm of his words reveals a poet deeply rooted in the way people spoke in his time — and still speak today. Related Lesson