Looking for the best poems for fourth graders? We have compiled a list of great poems that can be used in classroom lessons. This collection of poems covers a wide range of topics and ranges, from simple sweetness to more complex prose. With different reading level options, you’ll find something for all students!
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“You should try this little writing trick.”
Theme: Creativity, Humor, Writing Process
Literary devices: rhyme, repetition, tone, metaphore measurements
This fun, self-aware poem offers a clever “trick” to keep the words flowing with ease as you take the challenge of writing a poem. It’s a great way to make students think about how poems are framed, while making the writing process familiar and enjoyable.
“Throw your arms in a place with the sun…”
Theme: Race, self-image, hope
Literary devices: images, suggestions, tones
This beautiful, rhythmic poem captures the speaker’s dreams of joy and freedom, and uses impressive images of light and darkness to emphasize a variety of realities. This is a meaningful way that sparks debate about racial themes, the harem renaissance, and the way poetry expresses deep emotions through structure and imagery.
“…it’s not pasted anywhere else.”
Theme: Humor, Absurdity, Human Body
Literary equipment: images, rhymes, extended metaphor
This whimsical poem uses silly scenarios and fun images to help students think about their perspective and evaluate everyday things in new ways. It’s an ideal choice to explore rhymes and rhythms while inducing creativity and laughter in the classroom.
“Why do they say money grows into trees?”
Theme: Money, Curiosity, Questions
Literary equipment: Philosopher, image, symbolism
This clever poem explores the well-known fact that “money doesn’t grow in the trees” through engaging conversation. It helps to teach figic languages, especially idioms and phors, and to spark discussions about financial literacy and the value of money (and is very timely!).
“The bike tires are flat.”
Theme: Loss, Change, and the sadness of friendship
Literary equipment: rhyme, repetition, contrast, direct mile
This touching poem captures the sadness of losing a close friend to express the emotional weight of change, using simple language and related details. It is a great choice to discuss how poetry conveys deep emotions through everyday experiences and to help students connect literature to their own lives.
“One more night” maybe 2 o’clock, or maybe three…”
Theme: Childhood Fear, Comfort, Courage
Literary devices: rhyme, rhythm, images, tones
This nostalgic poem captures the child’s nighttime fear and the comfort of emotions protected by parents. This is a solid option for discussing how poetry reflects childhood experiences, and explores how rhymes, rhythms, and tones from fear to security change. is.
7. Fair by Vernon Whitmer
“The car door opened / I saw it first / it was an explosion of balloons…”
Theme: Excitement, Nostalgia, Sensory Experience
Literary equipment: images, sensory details, free poetry
The poem makes a fascinating example of readers immersed in the sights, sounds and emotions of visiting the fair, and using vivid sensation details in writing. It is perfect to inspire students to write about their experiences with rich explanations.
“The first thing that Mockingbird noticed…”
Theme: nature, observation, gratitude
Literary equipment: image, personification, symbolism
This reflective poem uses detailed descriptions and subtle symbolism to encourage readers to notice the small wonders of nature. It is a great way to introduce students to poetry of nature and to introduce them to the idea of finding deeper meaning in everyday observations.
9. New Mathematics by NikkiGrimes
“Until now, the maths of my life have been very simple…”
Theme: Change, Growth, Resilience
Literary equipment: Philosopher, Extended Philosopher, Tone
This poem is a friendly and engaging way to skillfully compare the ups and downs of life with mathematics and discuss how figic language can express emotions. It is perfect for linking literature to students’ own experiences and exploring how poetry can use everyday concepts in creative ways.
“We are suffering from blind equatorial fever…”
Theme: Survival, Nature, Resilience, Connection
Literary equipment: images, contrast, symbolism
This poem clearly explains the durability of wooden sparrows under harsh conditions and is similar to human resilience. It is a strong choice for debates about the symbolism of poetry, the relationship between man and nature, and how writers use contrast to create meaning.
“No one can tell me / No one knows / Where does the wind come from / Where does the wind go?”
Theme: Curiosity, wonder, nature
Literary equipment: rhyme, repetition, personification
This fascinating poem captures the child’s curiosity about the wind, combining simple language with deep wonders. It’s a great way to introduce rhymes and rhythms to young students while encouraging discussions about imagination and the natural world.
“What is the method of milk?”
Theme: Language, identity, cultural connections
Literary Devices: Images, Symbolicity, Free Poetry
This thought-inspired poem explores language as a bridge between identity and heritage. This is perfect for discussions about bilingualism, cultural experiences, and how poetry captures the personal struggle between language and belonging.
“Under this loop in HoneySuckle…”
Theme: Nature, Transformation, Life Cycle
Literary equipment: images, personification, contrast
This detailed poem brings caterpillars to life with their vivid descriptions, making them perfect for studying imagery and personification. It is also an effective way to discuss the theme of transformation and the beauty of creatures that are not overlooked.
“It was a third-year field trip to the dinosaur exhibition…”
Theme: Humor, exaggeration, storytelling
Literary equipment: exaggeration, narrative structure, rhyme
This hilarious, over-the-top poem is the perfect example of an active exaggeration. It is perfect for captivating passive readers, inducing creative writing, and showing how storytelling techniques make poetry fun and attractive.
“His tongue cries, and dad confuses the snacks and confuses the kitchen due to the chicken…”
Theme: Immigration, language, generational disparities
Literary equipment: Philosopher, Image, Tone
This inspiring poem explores the complexities of intergenerational immigration and language barriers in particular. It is a sure choice for discussions about the speculative phor, identity, and how poetry captures deep emotions and real struggles in just a few lines.
16. Spring break by HalPrinceland in April
“The best clouds in business are above me now.”
Theme: Relaxation, nature, and appreciation for moments
Literary equipment: images, personification, conversational tones
The poem captures the carefree joys of spring break with a playful and vivid description of the sky and the environment. It is perfect to encourage students to reflect on their favorite moments of rest and relaxation, as they explore images and personification.
17. Trends by Elizabeth Alexander
“I’ll pull out my brother and I’ll be in the bed…”
Theme: Family, Love, Memory, Care
Literary equipment: Sensational details, free poetry, tone
This moving poem reflects childhood moments of sibling intimacy, highlighting themes of love and care. It is a great piece to discuss the role of small everyday moments in poetry and how the details of the senses bring life to memory.
18. Snowball by Shell Silverstein
“I made a snowman…”
Theme: Humor, Nature, Nonpersistence
Literary devices: rhyme, irony, personification
With classic Silverstein humor and surprise ending, the poem is a fun way to showcase rhyme and irony. It is also a great starter of conversations about how poetry can be influenced using simple language and playful ideas.
“In a vast open field…”
Theme: Memory, gratitude, time to pass
Literary devices: images, tones, symbolism
This reflective poem invites readers to hold on to fleeting moments and makes it a solid choice for discussing the themes of memory and time. It also helps us explore how poetry creates moods and emotions through descriptive images.
“Come, my little kids, with me!”
Theme: Dreams, imagination, sleep time
Literary equipment: rhyme, repetition, personification
This dreamy poem invites young readers on a journey to magical sleep. Perfect for exploring rhythm and rhymes while sparking debates about the imagination and bedtime stories and the power of comfort in babysitting bies.
twenty one. Crows by Marilyn Nelson
“What if you taste it, look, and notice things…”
Theme: Observation, nature, perception
Literary equipment: images, philosophers, rhetorical questions
This reflexive poem encourages readers to slow down the world and truly observe it, using crows as a lens to notice the details of life. It is a great piece to discuss mindfulness, the power of perspective, and how poetry can change how we see things everyday.
“I ran, her nose is on the ground…”
Theme: Mystery, Nature, Fleeting Moment
Literary equipment: free poetry, imagery, symbolism
This quiet, contemplative poem captures fleeting moments in nature, allowing space for interpretation and emotion. It is perfect for discussing how poets use minimal language to evoke deep meanings and how nature can serve as a minor phor for human experience.
“We all have the same little bones on our legs…”
Theme: Connection, Identity, Ancestor
Literary equipment: Philosopher, repeating, free poetry
This thought-provoking poem highlights our shared humanity by focusing on simple status. It is an excellent choice to explore themes of kinship and unity, while showing how poets use everyday behaviors to express larger ideas about identity and belongings.
twenty four. JosephO. Amphibians by Legaspi
“Immigrants leave the land and harden in the ocean.”
Theme: Immigration, transformation, adaptation
Literary equipment: Philosopher, symbolism, concise images
This impressive poem compares immigrants to amphibians and explores themes of resilience and adaptation. It is a great discussion article for exploring the paraphor of poetry, and how writers use natural images to express complex human experiences.
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