National Poetry Day (1st October 2020) is an annual celebration of poetry and all things poetical. It is about everybody sharing, reading, writing and enjoying poetry. Use this pack of tips and activity ideas and join in the celebrations – not only on National Poetry Day itself but all year round. It’s full of activities for teachers (both primary and secondary) and also contains book recommendations.

A lesson plan for KS2 and KS3 students based on Philip Gross’ poem ‘Nanny Neverly’. With activities covering reading, writing and spoken language, children are encouraged to create poems on their ‘Granny’, whether funny or sad, with suggested further reading ideas for contrast with Gross’ poem.

This guide offers practical steps to utilise Poetry By Heart’s vast online collections to enjoy this National Poetry Day challenge on your own or with friends. For Key Stages 1-2 and featuring ‘Eletelephony’ by Laura Richards.

There are lots of ways to celebrate poetry on National Poetry Day, or any day of the year. Take a look at our bank of online resources (for KS 1 - 5) to get your class started on their poetry day and check out our new toolkit which is full of ideas and inspiration. We also have posters to decorate your classroom, ideas for inspiring everyone to write a poem and advice on how to arrange for a poet to visit your school.

A comprehensive creative writing lesson plan for KS1/KS2 students, designed to teach them the value of drawing from personal experiences when writing creatively. Includes a copy of the poem ‘Blackpool Tower’ and further resources from the National Literary Trust as inspiration. A National Poetry Day resource created by the National Literacy Trust.

Activities and lesson plans for KS2 students based on Rachel Rooney’s poem ‘Liar’. Designed to explore the ‘fake news’ phenomena through poetry and performance. Includes poem and detailed instructions for a lesson plan.

A guide to choosing your own fate despite the odds being against you using ‘Thirteen’ by Caleb Femi. For Key Stages 3-5.

Discussion and reading activities on the theme of water for KS3-4. For National Poetry Day 2013 by Mandy Coe. Including poems by Joan Murray and Brian Patten.

Activities and lesson plans based on Rachel Rooney’s poem Russian Doll designed to get children thinking about their emotions and their response to the poem. Includes link to live performance of the poem by Rachel Rooney.

One of a series of National Poetry Day teacher resources on the theme of Messages. "Sssnnnwhufffll? " draws on the poetry of Scottish poet Edwin Morgan. The resource fosters creative and critical thinking around poetry and is part of a collaborative effort between the National Poetry Day partners, who include the Poetry Society, Apples and Snakes, and the Emma Press For KS1 and KS2.

A comprehensive toolkit, full of tips and advice for how to make the most of the big day and the positive impact poetry can have on learning and well-being.

National Poetry Day 2017 is on 28 September. This activity was created by Georgi Gill for The Scottish Poetry Library. Inspired by Georgi's poem My Cat Mitzi it will help children explore the poem and how it makes them feel, and contains practical tips on writing poetry.

A free anthology from Macmillan Children's Books and National Poetry Day, featuring the National Poetry Day Children's Ambassadors. Enjoy!

Use this magnificent new lesson plan to spark off classroom discussion and inspire students to write their own poetry. It is written by poet Cheryl Moskowitz and features a huge variety of poems, all loosely related to the theme of stars. This lesson plan has works by Dorothy Parker and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

One of a series of National Poetry Day teacher resources on the theme of Messages. "Postcard Poems" draws on a poem by Diana Brodie. The resource fosters enjoyment of poetry and is part of a collaborative effort between the National Poetry Day partners, who include the Poetry Society, Apples and Snakes, and the Scottish Poetry Library. For KS1 and KS2

One of a series of National Poetry Day teacher resources on the theme of Messages. "Love Letters between Inanimate Objects " draws on a poem by Sarah Kay that can also be found on YouTube. This resource fosters creative and critical thinking around poetry and is part of a collaborative effort between the National Poetry Day partners, who include First Story, Apples and Snakes, and the Scottish Poetry Library. For KS3, KS4 and KS5

One of a series of National Poetry Day teacher resources on the theme of Messages. "A Message to the Future " draws on the poetry of Roger McGough. The resource fosters creative and critical thinking around poetry and is part of a collaborative effort between the National Poetry Day partners, who include the Poetry Society, Apples and Snakes, and the Emma Press For KS1 and KS2.

Use this guide to make a rainbow poem with the whole class (or school). Designed for KS2, this resource uses colour association to create poetry, including a classic poem from Christina Rossetti and some handy video links to help students think about colour from other perspectives – have you ever seen what colour is like for a snake? Find out with this resource.

A guide to reading and responding to a poem that provokes ideas for writing. For Key Stages 2-3 and featuring ‘More Pointless Questions’ by John Agard.

National Poetry Day is on 28th September, an annual celebration of poetry and all things poetical. This is one of a range for resources to help get everybody sharing poetry, reading poetry, writing poetry, and enjoying poetry! Read this poem from Kate Wakeling's award winning new collection Moon Juice with years 3, 4 and 5, then use the suggestions to start the class thinking and talking, and writing their own poems.