Resources for Teachers
Take a look at some of our lesson plans and resources for primary and post-primary schools.
Poetry Day Ireland 2021: Resources for Teachers
Download our online Poetry Day Pack of inspiring activities and ideas for teachers, children and families to enjoy and connect with poetry for pleasure and learning.
This imaginative poetry package, created and compiled by poet and teacher Enda Wyley, complements the Primary School Curriculum and can be enjoyed not just on Poetry Day, but all year around! Download here
Léaghlait - Resource for Primary Teachers and Students learning Irish
leaghliat.com aims to provide primary teachers with digital resources to support them in the teaching of Irish, as well as support children and their parents in their practice of Irish at home. Students and teachers can learn by listeing to stories, poems and taking part in enjoyable lessons, all as Gaeilge.
You can visit the site here.
Poetry Ireland and Irish Aid WorldWise Global Schools Creative Writing Lesson Plans
Download development education creative writing lesson plans for post-primary schools. The plans explore global issues and are by Writers in Schools facilitators Nessa O'Mahony, Oisín McGann, Paula Leyden, Peter Sailsbury, Pete Mullineaux and Debbie Thomas.
Poetry Day Ireland 2017: Resources for Post-Primary Schools
Watch Martin Dyar read 'Death and the Post Office', watch Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill read and speak about 'Mo Ghrá-sa (idir lúibíní)', or download three development education poetry-writing lesson plans by Seamus Cashman.
>> Go to to 2017 Resources for Post-Primary Schools
Poetry Day Ireland 2017: Resources for Primary Schools
Lucina Jacob popped in to Poetry Ireland to tell us about Hopscotch in the Sky, her collection of poems with illustrations by Lauren O’Neill, which was published by Little Island Books and Poetry Ireland on 5 October 2017.
A handsome hardback edition with full colour illustrations throughout, Hopscotch in the Sky is a poetry book for young readers. The book has a seasonal theme, taking young readers from spring through to winter. There are poems about nature, the landscape, the weather and children’s experiences of the seasons from ice-creams to Christmas trees.
With stunning illustrations by artist Lauren O’Neill, winner of the Children’s Books Ireland Award for Illustration in 2016, the book will appeal to children aged 9 and above, and will make a perfect gift for families. You can buy the book here and the book also comes with a free to download accompanying ebook, The Hopscotch in the Sky Poetry Kit, which introduces children to the poetic forms used in the book. It's chock-full of ideas to encourage readers to try their hand at writing their own poems. It will be especially helpful also to teachers who would like to include writing poetry as a classroom activity with their pupils.
» Buy Hopscotch in the Sky and download The Hopscotch in the Sky Poetry Kit
» Download Hopscotch in the Sky Classroom Posters
Poetry Day Ireland 2016: Lesson plans for schools
Secondary Schools
Watch Eileán Ní Chuilleanáin read and discuss her poem 'All For You', then follow the lesson plan. Ideal for students studying for Leaving Certificate English. Posters of Julie O'Callaghan's 'My Life' and Matthew Sweeney's 'Smile' are also available to download.
>> Go to 2016 lesson plans for Secondary Schools
Primary Schools (Senior)
Watch poet Enda Wyley read and discuss her poem 'Bully', then follow the lesson plan. Ideal for 3rd-6th classes. A poster of 'Bully' is also available to download.
Primary Schools (Junior)
Watch poet Tony Curtis read and discuss his poem 'Poet and the Mouse', then follow the lesson plan. Ideal for Junior Infants - 2nd classes. A poster of Michael Rosen's 'Don't Put Mustard in the Custard' is also available to download.
>> Go to 2016 lesson plans for Primary Schools (Junior)
Poetry Day Ireland 2015: Lesson plans for schools
Our lesson plans for Poetry Day Ireland 2015 included activies for primary schools by Nell Regan based on poems by Jack Prelutsky and Roger McGough, as well as an adaptable creative writing lesson plan for post-primary schools by Writers in Schools facilitator Pete Mullineaux, and a poem read by best-selling childrens' author Marita Conlon-McKenna.