Poetry Calendar: A Creative Holiday Gift Idea for Parents

As the holidays approach, many of us look for seasonal crafts that blend creativity with meaningful learning in the classroom. This year, one of my students raised their hand and asked, “For the holidays, can we create a calendar gift for our parents?” I loved the idea and wanted to honor that sense of student voice and their desire to create something their families would truly treasure. So, I decided to transform the project into a rich academic experience by aligning it with our poetry standards.

The result was a personalized calendar where students wrote original poems and designed matching illustrations for each month. The students practiced poetic structure, descriptive language, and creativity. In addition, they also created a heartfelt gift for their parents to enjoy all year long.

Why Choose a Poetic Calendar as a Holiday Gift?

A calendar is a practical item that everyone uses, but when it is personalized with poetry and artwork, it becomes a unique keepsake. This project encouraged students to:

• Develop writing skills by composing poems that reflect on the theme or events for each month.

• Practice artistic expression through decorating each calendar page with drawings or designs related to the poem.

• Engage in thoughtful gift-giving by creating something meaningful and personal for their parents.

• Learn time management by planning and completing the project over several weeks.

Planning the Calendar Project

Before students begin writing and illustrating, it helps to organize the project into clear steps:

1. Purchase a blank calendar book for each student.

   Although you can create your own by printing, I wanted to save time by purchasing a blank book.

   1. Blank Calendar: https://amzn.to/48vmHpf

2. Have students decorate the cover.

   The cover page is the first thing that the parents see. Therefore, I printed photos of each student and attached them to the cover. The students decorated and added a personal holiday message for their families.

3. Choose a poem style for each month:

   

   

   

   Students can experiment with different poetic forms such as haikus, acrostics, rhymes, or free verse. This variety keeps the project interesting and allows students to find their voice. Here were my themes and style for each month:

   1. January: Freeverse on wishes for future.

   2. February: Acrostic poem for a related word for February (e.g., LOVE, VALENTINES, COLD, HEART, etc.).

   3. March: Five senses poem for spring, rain, flower, or St. Patrick's Day.

   4. April: Nature Haiku.

   5. May: Cinquain poem on memories of school.

   6. June: Narrative poem for summer.

   7. July: Acrostic poem for related word (e.g., summer, fireworks, etc.).

   8. August: Limerick poem for teacher.

   9. September: Personification poem for fall.

   10. October: Fun spooky limerick poem.

   11. November: Gratitude free-verse poem.

   12. December: Free choice on winter theme.

4. After students draft their personal poem, have them create illustrations.

   Drawings should complement the poem and reflect the month’s theme. This step encourages students to think visually and connect words with images.

5. Add months and days.

   When students finish their poems and illustrations, have students work on adding the months and days.

   
   

Tips for Writing Poems That Shine

Writing poetry can be intimidating, but with some guidance, students can create poems that are both meaningful and enjoyable to read. Here are some tips to share:

• Use vivid imagery to paint pictures with words. For example, instead of saying “It’s cold,” say “Frosty breath clouds the morning air.”

• Keep it simple and clear. Poems don’t need to be long or complicated to be effective.

• Play with sound by using rhyme, alliteration, or rhythm to make the poem musical.

• Express feelings or stories related to the month, such as excitement for holidays or the calm of a quiet snowfall.

• Revise and edit to improve word choice and flow.

• Provide a teacher model to help all learners see examples of each poetry style and model the expectations. I also created one for fun.

Making the Calendar a Special Gift

To make the calendar feel like a true holiday present, consider these finishing touches:

• Wrap the calendar in festive paper or a handmade envelope.

• Encourage students to present their calendars in person and explain the meaning behind their poems and artwork.

• Suggest adding important family dates like birthdays or anniversaries to personalize it further.

  
  

By combining practical skills with personal expression, this project supports well-rounded learning.