Exploring 3rd Grade Poems: 49 Selections And Their Snippets

Poetry is a form of art and a wonderful way of expressing emotions. Bringing poems into your classroom can help with teaching your kids how to better express themselves. Although some students avoid reading and writing at all costs, even students who might shy away from even the thought of words can be coaxed into loving poems—that is of course, if you can find the right poems to engage them. Finding poems that young people will fall head over heels for can be a difficult task, but we’ve put together this list of 49 diverse poems that are sure to do the trick! Get reading to find your new favorites!

1. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Here, Robert Frost paints a serene winter scene; reflecting on the beauty of nature and the pull of obligations.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

2. “When the Teacher Isn’t Looking” by Kenn Nesbitt

Your students will get a laugh out of this playful poem by Kenn Nesbitt that captures the mischief that children get into when they think they’re unsupervised.

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

3. “Every Time I Climb a Tree” by David McCord

David McCord celebrates the joys and perils of a child’s adventurous climb in this simple, rhythmic poem. Invite your kids to consider what they’ve seen while climbing trees—maybe they can pen their own poems to describe it!

Learn More: Read Good Poetry

4. “Kindness to Animals” from The Book of Virtues

Start a discussion with your kids about compassion and care for animals by reading this anonymous poem from The Book of Virtues. The gentle descriptions of animals’ activities will help your students relate to nature and cement an understanding of their responsibility toward it.

Learn More: Lark’s Last Tape

5. “I Let My Sister Cut My Hair” by Kenn Nesbitt

Here, Kenn Nesbitt humorously portrays a child’s regret after a hasty hair decision. Your kids with younger siblings will undoubtedly get a kick out of this one!

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

6. “The Song of Jellicles” by T. S. Elliot

T.S. Eliot introduces the unique jellicle cats in a rhythmic, whimsical manner. This poem is a clever way to introduce some new vocabulary words to your kids!

Learn More: All Poetry

7. “My Flat Cat” by Kenn Nesbitt

Calling all feline fanatics! Another Nesbitt creation, “My Flat Cat” humorously and succinctly explores the consequences of a cat’s curious adventure.

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

8. “A Mortifying Mistake” by Anna Marie Pratt

A Mortifying Mistake is a vivid, relatable tale about a child’s hard work to memorize schoolwork—and their embarrassment at their public mistake!

Learn More: Poetry Explorer

9. “Your World” by Georgina Douglas Johnson

Georgina Douglas Johnson encourages readers to embrace the world in this inspiring poem— hinting at its vastness and the opportunities are yours for the taking!.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

10. The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash narrates a delightful tale of a cowardly dragon and his brave adventures. We guarantee that your kids will love the evocative descriptions and fanciful details.

Learn More: Holy Joe

11. Now We Are Six By: A.A. Milne

Here, A.A. Milne explores the pride and sense of maturity a child feels at the age of six.

Learn More: Family Friendly Poems

12. “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow recounts the historic midnight ride of Paul Revere in a captivating rhythm. This is an excellent way to tie your poetry study into a history lesson.

Learn More: Poets

13. “Be Kind” by Alice Joyce Davidson

Alice Joyce Davidson delivers a heartfelt but gentle message about the importance of kindness in this simple poem. Use it as an introduction to discussing the importance of acting out of kindness in everything we do.

Learn More: Best Poems

14. “If” by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling offers timeless life lessons and wisdom on resilience and integrity in this classic poem. This one will introduce important real-world concepts to your kids in a simple, age-appropriate manner.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

15. “The Jumblies” by Edward Lear

This longer poem by Edward Lear is a vivid and whimsical tale of the adventurous Jumblies and their sea journey in a sieve.

Learn More: Project Gutenberg

16. “I’m Keeping My Distance” by Kenn Nesbitt

In I’m Keeping My Distance , Nesbitt humorously addresses the quirks of personal space and social distancing in a relatable way.

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

17. “Something Told the Wild Geese” by Rachel Field

Rachel Field beautifully describes the changing seasons and nature’s cues in this imagery-filled poem. Have your student think about the descriptive language used and how it paints a picture of the season of fall.

Learn More: National Poetry Day UK

18. “You Can Argue With a Tennis Ball” by Kenn Nesbitt

The more stubborn among your students will surely enjoy this poem about arguments—and a suggested limit!Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

19. “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” by Walt Whitman

In this classic poem, Walt Whitman contrasts academic learning with the profound experience of nature. This is another more mature concept that will really get your 3rd graders thinking about different ways of learning from, and experiencing, life.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

20. “Fireflies” by Paul Fleischman

Introduce your students to the effect of different voices in poetry with this imaginative poem. Have your kids read the poem aloud to better experience the expressive description of fireflies’ activity on a summer’s night.

Learn More: Get Lit

21. “Weather” by Eve Merriman

Here, Eve Merriman delves into the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of weather in this rhythmic account of a rainy day. This is a great way to introduce your students to rhythm and onomatopoeia in poetry.

Learn More: Poetry Nook

22. Bats By: Randall Jarrell

Your little animal lovers will be fascinated by Bats, Randall Jarrell’s poetic and extremely detailed dive into the world of these nocturnal wonders.

Learn More: Mini Ruby

23. “Mice in the Hay” by Lesley Norris

Your 3rd graders will love how Lesley Norris’s Mice in the Hay looks tenderly and playfully at the first Christmas, using the perspective of mice who are present in the stable.

Learn More: Prestonwood Christian

24. “Today I Wore a Costume” by Kenn Nesbitt

Your kids—and their parents—will love Nesbitt’s delightful exploration of a child’s imagination and the joy of dressing up—not to mention the joy of interrupting their parents while working!

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

25. “Eating While Reading” by Gary Soto

With figurative language and evocative imagery, Gary Soto portrays the pleasure of munching snacks while engrossed in a good book.

Learn More: S Teach 4 Fun

26. “What Have We Done Today?” by Nixon Waterman

This lyrical poem by Nixon Waterman is a gentle choice to help your kids reflect on their daily deeds and purpose. It focuses on the importance of living in the moment and making the most of every day- not just dreaming about the future.

Learn More: Stressless Country

27. “A Wrecker or a builder?” by Edgar A. Guest

In this contemplative poem, Edgar A. Guest paints a clever picture to help your students consider the impact of their actions on the world. The construction analogy is a great way for your kids to understand the power they have to affect those around them.

Learn More: Annapolis Christian Academy

28. “Online Is Fine” by Kenn Nesbitt

Many of your kids will be able to relate to this poem as Nesbitt humorously addresses the joys and pitfalls of the digital world for students.

Learn More: Poetry 4 Kids

29. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll takes us into a fantastical world with nonsensical words and a brave protagonist battling the titular beast. Although the language may be challenging for some, your stronger readers will be enchanted by the cautionary tale of the fearsome Jabberwock.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

30. “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

This classic narrative poem details the intense pressure of a baseball game. It’s a great way to teach your students about rhythm and narrative in poetry.

Learn More: Poets.org

31. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

This popular poem offers a lesson about making choices and their potential impact on our lives; it’s a great way to spark discussion with your kids about decisions and consequences.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

32. “‘Hope’ Is the Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson

This short, inspiring poem can be used to introduce your students to metaphor and personification; inviting them to compare hope to a bird that stays with us always.

Learn More: Poetry Foundation

33. “Falling Up” by Shel Silverstein

This gem is a clever, humorous poem that plays with language and is sure to make your 3rd graders laugh.

Learn More: Shel Silverstein

34. “The Land of Nod” by Robert Louis Stevenson

This is a classic for a reason—it’s a fantastic poem that explores dreams and the imagery thereof. It’s another excellent choice to help your students understand the use of imagery and metaphors in poetry.

Learn More: Poets.org

35. “The Tyger” by William Blake

This is a poem that explores the mystery of creation. Use it to spark a discussion with your students about analyzing metaphors and imagery.

Learn More: Poem Analysis

36. “Sick” by Shel Silverstein

This playful poem about a student’s attempt to skip school will captivate your 3rd graders. It’s a fun way for you to teach your kids about rhyme and rhythm.

Learn More: Family Friend Poems

37. “My Shadow” by Robert Louis Stevenson

This lovely poem about a child’s shadow is a great way to introduce your kids to the concept of personification in poetry. What is personification you ask? It’s a device that’s used to attribute human characteristics to inanimate objects or elements.

Learn More: Scottish Poetry Library

38. “The New Kid on the Block” by Jack Prelutsky

Unfortunately, being scared of a bully is probably a relatable feeling for many of your 3rd graders. This poem gently introduces the concept and is sure to get your kids thinking and talking about having respect for others whilst working to move away from common stereotypes.

Learn More: Weebly

39. “If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda

Here’s a simple yet profound love poem that will introduce your kids to the themes of love and memory. Incorporate this poem into your lessons if you want to discuss emotions and feelings in a deeper manner.

Learn More: All Poetry

40. “The Pasture” by Robert Frost

This brief poem about working on a farm is a great introduction to natural imagery in poetry. It’s sure to inspire discussion about the beauty of nature.

Learn More: Poem Analysis

41. “A Pizza the Size of the Sun” by Jack Prelutsky

Your kids will love this imaginative piece about baking a giant pizza. What a tasty way to help them understand the power of language!

Learn More: Poem Hunter

42. “My Parents Think I’m Sleeping” by Jack Prelutsky

This fun poem about what happens after bedtime, written from a child’s perspective, is a great way to engage your students and teach them about voice and perspective in poetry.

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43. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by Jane Taylor

This classic nursery rhyme is perfect for introducing your students to the structure of poetry. Although the first verse is likely familiar to most of your kids, they may enjoy learning the rest of the song.

Learn More: Literary Devices

44. “The Eagle” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

This short, powerful poem uses vivid imagery to describe an eagle in flight and is a good way to teach your kiddos about similes and metaphors.

Learn More: Poets.org

45. “Sunflakes” by Frank Asch

This whimsical poem proposes a different way of experiencing weather and details how it would affect our playtime. Sunflakes makes a great choice if you’re looking for a source to introduce your kiddos to the use of imagery in poetry and get them imagining different activities they’d engage in “If sunlight fell like snowflakes.”

Learn More: Your Daily Poem

46. “Fuzzy Wuzzy” by Anonymous

This funny poem is a classic that uses repetition and rhyming words. Incorporate it into a lesson that’s centered on like-sounds and phonemes.

Learn More: 100 Best Poems

47. “Who Has Seen the Wind?” by Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind is a great choice for introducing your students to the concept of rhetorical questions in poetry and cause and effect in nature.

Learn More: National Poetry Day