Poetry made easy

Poems have been part of the culture of many lands for centuries. They appear in the Bible, on Ancient Greek artefacts, Viking runes and Victorian copperplate. Poems have been penned, carved or typed by the likes of Shakespeare to Shakira, and can grace greetings cards and gravestones. We sing them in karaoke and in church, use them in advertising, as memory joggers and to express everything from anger to adoration. Yet many children see them as ‘soft’ or ‘old fashioned’ and a lot of teachers see them as difficult.

The following ideas, supported by the ‘Poetry’ activity sheets aim to help you address and use poetry in a variety of fun ways.

Activities

1. Favourite words
2. Presenting Haikus
3. Riddle detectives
4. Word poems
5. Introducing the Bard
6. Poetry teasers