Vocabulary lists are an excellent way for sixth graders to get the most out of understanding the details of a poem. Choose a sixth-grade appropriate poem and select several words from the poem to highlight in a vocabulary list exercise. Make a vocabulary list with alternate words that mean the same as those you've selected from the chosen poem, then have students look at the vocabulary list as they read the assigned poem and select the words or phrases from the poem that match the vocabulary words.
Ask students to read a poem such as "The First Snowfall" by James Russell Lowell. This is a suggested sixth grade appropriate poem with many visuals. Select another poem that's similar if you have a favorite. Ask students to read the poem once and make notes about the sights, sounds and smells present in the poem. Have them read it again to see if those same images and sounds are there, then ask students to write a paragraph describing those same sights, sounds and smells in their own words.
Ask students to select a poem from a fifth or sixth grade approved reading list. The teacher can compile the list specifically designed to teach specific elements of a particular poem. Have students read a selected poem and cut images from a magazine to glue onto a poster board that will visually represent the message or story of the poem that the student reads.
Poetry is rhythmical by nature. Allow students to select any poem from an approved reading list and challenge them to put a musical melody to the poem. This is an effective way to get students to think about the lines in a poem and how they're structured.