Poems for 4th Graders (A Fantastic Classroom Selection)
Looking for the top poems for 4th graders? You may use the fantastic selection of poems we’ve put up for classroom activities right away! The poetry in this anthology spans from straight forward sweetness to more intricate writing and covers a wide range of subjects. Every learner can discover something with possibilities for varying reading levels!
Dream Variations by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes, a poet, novelist, fiction writer, and dramatist, had a significant influence on the cultural output of the Harlem Renaissance with his incisive, vivid depictions of black life in America from the 1920s through the 1960s.
To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me—
That is my dream!
To fling my arms wide
In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening…
A tall, slim tree…
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.
Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face by Jack Prelutsky
Jack Prelutsky, who was born in 1940, has published over thirty collections and anthologies of children’s poetry.
Be glad your nose is on your face,
Not pasted on some other place,
For if it were where it is not,
You might dislike your nose a lot.Imagine if your precious nose
Were sandwiched in between your toes,
That clearly would not be a treat,
For you’d be forced to smell your feet.Your nose would be a source of dread
Were it attached atop your head,
It soon would drive you to despair,
Forever tickled by your hair.Within your ear, your nose would be
An absolute catastrophe,
For when you were obliged to sneeze,
Your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
Remains between your eyes and chin,
Not pasted on some other place–
Be glad your nose is on your face!
READ ALSO:
Money Tree Conversation by Caren Krutsinger
Why do they say money grows on trees?
I don’t know I admit
Her eight-year-old eyes look into my soul.They kind of do though because money is made of paper
And paper is made from trees, right?
I guess so, I say.
The conversation continues.On and on and on and on and on.
Have you met eight?
I finally say, “I have a money tree in my yard.”
She snorts, snickers, laughs.She does have a money tree, her seventeen-year-old sister says.
Her face changes; it is an unfamiliar expression of hesitation.
Wait a second, she says, “You told me that you lie, right?”
Sometimes I admitShe looks relieved.
“You don’t have a money tree, right?”
Right, I admit.
Shaken down by a determined, serious five-year-old.
Since Hanna Moved Away by Judith Viorst
Judith Viorst, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1931, is a prolific writer of poetry and prose for both children and adults.
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The tires on my bike are flat.
The sky is grouchy gray.
At least it sure feels like that
Since Hanna moved away.Chocolate ice cream tastes like prunes.
December’s come to stay.
They’ve taken back the Mays and Junes
Since Hanna moved away.Flowers smell like halibut.
Velvet feels like hay.
Every handsome dog’s a mutt
Since Hanna moved away.Nothing’s fun to laugh about.
Nothing’s fun to play.
They call me, but I won’t come out
Since Hanna moved away.
READ ALSO:
Being Brave At Night by Edgar Guest
Children are busy during the day and don’t have time to waste worrying about foolish creatures, but while they are ready to fall asleep at night, they have plenty of time to worry about giants, ghosts, or elephants invading their bedroom.
In a child’s eyes, clinging to an all-powerful parent is a very logical survival tactic. Edgar A. Guest’s collection of poetry on home, childhood, and family, Rhymes Of Childhood (1924), includes Being Brave At Night.
The other night ’bout two o’clock, or maybe it was three,
An elephant with shining tusks came chasing after me.
His trunk was wavin’ in the air an’ spoutin’ jets of steam
An’ he was out to eat me up, but still I didn’t scream
Or let him see that I was scared – a better thought I had,
I just escaped from where I was and crawled in bed with dad.One time there was a giant who was horrible to see,
He had three heads and twenty arms, an’ he came after me
And red hot fire came from his mouths and every hand was red
And he declared he’d grind my bones and make them into bread.
But I was just too smart for him, I fooled him might bad,
Before his hands could collar me I crawled in bed with dad.I ain’t scared of nothin that comes pesterin’ me at night.
Once I was chased by forty ghosts all shimmery an’ white.
An’ I just raced ’em round the room an’ let ’em think maybe
I’d have to stop an’ rest awhile, when they could capture me.
Then when they leapt onto my bed, Oh Gee! But they were mad
To find that I had slipped away an’ crawled in bed with dad.No giants, ghosts or elephants have dared to come in there
‘Coz if they did he’d beat ’em up and chase ’em to their lair.
They just hang ’round the children’s rooms
an’ snap an’ snarl an’ bite
An’ laugh if they can make ’em yell
for help with all their might.
But I don’t ever yell out loud. I’m not that sort of lad,
I slip from out the covers and I crawl in bed with dad.
No doubt explaining several ideas to 4th graders can sometimes be challenging, but the beauty of poetry can be seen as it appeals to creativity and these children are creative items. Any poem from this collection can be used to teach 4th graders about poetry. Make them recite a few lines and listen to their effortless pitch.
You may share this experience with us in the comment section below and we just might include your inspiration-worthy story in our next release.
