Pocket Poems

As National Poetry Month draws to a close, we, too, are putting the finishing touches on our study of poetry. The idea of this activity is simple: students have selected a they like (by another poet) and then carrying to share with peers, family, and friends on April 29 & 30.

"Poem In Your Pocket Day" has been celebrated each April 17 in New York City since 2002. Each year, city parks, bookstores, workplaces, and other venues burst with open readings of poems from pockets. Even Mayor Bloomberg gets in on the festivities, reading a poem on the radio. Poems have been stowed in pockets in a variety of ways, from the commonplace books of the Renaissance to the pocket-sized publications for Army soldiers in World War II.

For two days, Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, students will be carrying a poem in their pocket with the purpose of sharing it with a variety of people throughout both days. Once you have taken the opportunity to read your poem, will need to have the recipient (person you read to) initial the back of the index card on which you’ve written the poem.

Specific folks whose signatures your teacher will be looking for are: ELA Teacher, Core Teacher, Other Teacher, Parent, Other Relative, Team Peer, House Peer, Peer, Athena Adult, and Community Adult.

Read Up and Write On!