Poetry

A short poem on the theme of food.  Can be used as a reading and pronunciation exercise or may be extended to include a discussion around food production and carbon footprint or the ethics of food choices. Could also be used as a basis for written work.

Editor's notes

I love this because it works on so many different levels!

This resource helps learners hear rhymes and recognise corresponding letters/digraphs, rimes and onsets etc. Take simple limericks and poems and get your learners to put them together.

I created my own limericks to match work we had been doing on long vowel sounds (it is not that difficult to do once you get started). Well-known poems and nursery rhymes also proved particularly popular as many knew them already by heart from childhood and some were doing them now with their children.

Looking at Newspapers is a wonderful example of creative differentiated teaching across all levels (E1-L2). A detailed lesson description, resources and introductory PPT are included. The lesson uses Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” to help students analyse newspaper reports and interview other students, or their teacher, to create their own reports.

A really imaginative set of tasks based on written and audio versions of Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky. Really encourages creativity and expression.

Questioning for understanding is a really useful help sheet that encourages learners to ask relevant questions (any topic, any level). Based on Kipling’s “What and Why and When, And How and Where and Who” with teaching ideas and useful links.

For a related resource using the same idea to investigate and write newspaper reports please see Ellie Walsh’s Looking at Newspapers (below).

Based on a short story, Highland Fling by Maureen Brannigan, from “Sexy Shorts for the Beach” edited by Victoria Kirwan-Taylor (Accent Press). However some of the writing and poetry extension activities could be used without reading the short story. Not just for romantics – the writing assignment might also cause great hilarity! Covers all Level 2 writing elements and many Level 2 reading elements (main points, research, summarise information, etc.).

A brilliant resource – especially for younger, teenage students. Includes an original poem, discussion of slang, background info on Valentine’s Day, writing and speaking ideas.

A fabulous interactive PPT originally written for National Poetry Day 2007 (but ideal at any time!). Each page (many with type-in boxes) provides a separate task – ideal for groups or pairs. Provides a complete lesson through from initial discussion to presentation, feedback and reflection.

Hey diddle diddle is a short poem (with separate Level 1 and Level 2 help sheets / posters) to remind students about mean, median, mode and range.

A great way to introduce poetry whilst reinforcing essential grammar, spelling, presentation and handwriting skills. Includes teaching ideas, example poem, planner.