Covers: Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - The Elf And The Dormouse

Activity 1

The Elf And The Dormouse

Activity Pack 1
Activity two - The Wind

Activity 2

The Wind

Activity Pack 2
Activity Three - Caterpillar

Activity 3

Caterpillar

Activity Pack 3
Activity Four - The Swing

Activity 4

The Swing

Activity Pack 4
Activity Five - A Memory

Activity 5

A Memory

Activity Pack 5
Activity Six - The Months

Activity 6

The Months

Activity Pack 6

Classical Poetry: Two Activities

Activity One - The Elf And The Dormouse

Activity 1

The Elf And The Dormouse

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Two - The Wind

Activity 2

The Wind

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Three - Caterpillar

Activity 3

Caterpillar

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Four - The Swing

Activity 4

The Swing

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Five - A Memory

Activity 5

A Memory

Hands-On Activities:
Activity Six - The Months

Activity 6

The Months

Hands-On Activities:

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Classical Poetry Two Topic

How can Hands-On Education's English lesson plans help teach my SEN class?

Hands-On Education's English lesson plans can significantly benefit your SEN class by incorporating hands-on, multi-sensory activities that cater to diverse learning needs. Their approach, exemplified in resources like "The Elf and the Dormouse" poem and activity sheets, provides concrete and participatory ways for students to engage with language and literature. These materials allow for differentiated instruction, enabling you to adapt the lessons to individual student abilities and learning styles. By utilizing hands-on activities, visual aids, and creative exercises, these lesson plans can help SEN students develop their language skills, enhance comprehension, and boost confidence in a supportive, engaging environment. The emphasis on practical, experiential learning aligns well with effective special education strategies, making abstract concepts more accessible and fostering a deeper understanding of English language arts for students with special educational needs.

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How do I use the Classical Poetry: Two Activities?

Classical Poetry Year 2 Activity

Poetry is a subtle art that permeates our lives, often without us even realizing it. It can be found in songs and literature, and developing an appreciation for it can benefit a child's reading and writing skills. These six activities in Hands-On Education's Classical Poetry: Two are a great introduction to classical poetry for Year Two learners and align with the National Curriculum of England's English standards. Check out the other key stage one topics for more curriculum-aligned activities for your classroom or home-educated children. With a wide range of subjects to choose from, planning your day will be a breeze.

Understanding and appreciating poetry is an important skill that can benefit children both academically and emotionally. Here are some additional thoughts on poetry:

  • Poetry can help children develop their language and communication skills. By exploring the rhythms, sounds, and meanings of words, they can expand their vocabulary and learn to express themselves more effectively.
  • Reading and writing poetry can also help children develop their empathy and emotional intelligence. By engaging with the thoughts and feelings of others through poetry, they can learn to better understand themselves and the world around them.
  • The six activities in Hands-On Education's Classical Poetry: Two provide a great introduction to classical poetry for Year Two learners. These activities are designed to be engaging and interactive, helping children to develop their own creativity and critical thinking skills.
  • In addition to the activities in Classical Poetry: Two, there are many other ways to introduce children to poetry. For example, you might encourage them to write their own poems, or to explore different forms of poetry such as haikus or sonnets.
  • If you're looking for more curriculum-aligned activities for your classroom or home-educated children, be sure to check out the other key stage one topics available from Hands-On Education. With a wide range of subjects to choose from, you're sure to find activities that will help to make your planning a breeze.

A closer look at our Classical Poetry Two lesson plans

Classical Poetry Year 2 Activity

Hey there, fabulous educators and home-schooling heroes! Ready to dive into the whimsical world of classical poetry with your Year 2 students? We've got a treasure trove of fun and engaging activities centred around some delightful poems like "The Elf and The Dormouse," "The Wind," "Caterpillar," "The Swing," "A Memory," and "The Months." Let's sprinkle some magic into your lesson plans!

  1. The Elf and The Dormouse – Puppet Show: Transform your classroom into a mini-theatre! After reading "The Elf and The Dormouse," have your students create puppets of the characters using socks, paper bags, or even popsicle sticks. Let them put on a little puppet show, reenacting the poem. This activity not only enhances their understanding of the narrative but also boosts creativity and speaking skills. Plus, it's a giggle fest!
  2. The Wind – Weather Journal: Invite your students to become junior meteorologists. Read "The Wind" together and discuss how wind affects our environment. Then, hand out weather journals where students can record daily observations about the wind – is it gentle, strong, or absent? They can draw pictures, write short sentences, or even create their own windy poems. This simple, ongoing activity ties poetry to real-world observations seamlessly.
  3. Caterpillar – Crafty Critters: Time for some arts and crafts! After enjoying "Caterpillar," let your students create their own caterpillars using coloured construction paper, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes. While crafting, chat about the life cycle of a caterpillar and how it transforms into a butterfly. This hands-on activity reinforces the poem’s content and introduces basic biology in a fun, memorable way.
  4. The Swing – Sensory Play: "The Swing" is all about the joy and freedom of swinging high and low. Set up a mini swing station in your classroom or find a nearby playground. Let the kids take turns on the swing while they describe how it makes them feel or what they see from up high. Back in the classroom, they can illustrate their favourite moments on the swing and share their drawings with the class.
  5. A Memory – Time Capsule: Reading "A Memory" can be a fantastic springboard for discussing personal memories. Have each student bring in a small item that holds special meaning to them. Create a class time capsule by placing these items in a decorated box. Each child can write a short note about their item and why it's important. Bury the capsule in the school garden or simply store it for future classes to discover.
  6. The Months – Calendar Creations: "The Months" is a perfect poem to explore the concept of time and seasons. Divide your class into small groups and assign each group a couple of months. Provide them with art supplies to create a calendar page for their assigned months, depicting seasonal changes and holidays. Put all the pages together to form a classroom calendar that you can display proudly. This collaborative project helps students understand the passing of time and the beauty of each month.

There you go, a bundle of activities to make classical poetry an absolute blast for your Year 2 students! These engaging, hands-on experiences will not only make poetry fun but also enrich their learning journey. Happy teaching!

What are some other classic poems suitable for year two children?

Classical Poetry Year 2 Activity

In addition to the poems mentioned in the Classical Poetry: Two collection, here are some other classic poems suitable for Year 2 children:

"The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear is a whimsical narrative poem that children often enjoy for its playful language and imaginative story. Its rhythmic verses and fanciful characters make it engaging for young listeners.

"Hurt No Living Thing" by Christina Rossetti is a short, clear poem with a positive message about being kind to all creatures, which is appropriate for this age group. Its simple refrain makes it easy for children to remember and recite.

"Pleasant Sounds" by John Clare is a vivid poem that encourages children to think about different descriptions and sensory experiences. It can help develop their descriptive vocabulary and appreciation for nature.

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by Jane Taylor, while often thought of as just a nursery rhyme, is actually a full poem with five stanzas. Its familiar first verse and celestial theme can captivate young imaginations.

"The Crocodile" by Lewis Carroll, also known as "How Doth the Little Crocodile," is a short, humorous poem that children often find amusing. Its playful language and imagery can spark creativity and discussion.

These poems offer a mix of whimsy, nature appreciation, and gentle life lessons, all of which are well-suited to Year 2 children's developmental stage and interests.

How can I use poems to teach year two children about different emotions?

Classical Poetry Year 2 Activity

Using Poetry to Teach Year Two Children About Emotions

Poetry can be an excellent tool for teaching young children about emotions. Here are some effective ways to use poems to help Year Two students explore and understand different feelings:

1. Read and Discuss Emotion-Focused Poems

Select age-appropriate poems that focus on specific emotions. Read them aloud and discuss the feelings expressed. Some suitable poems include:

  • "Happy" from the book "Feel a Little" by Jenny Palmer
  • "The Wind" by Robert Louis Stevenson (exploring feelings of excitement and energy)
  • "Caterpillar" by Christina Rossetti (discussing transformation and growth)

2. Create Emotion Word Banks

After reading poems, create word banks for different emotions. Ask students to identify words or phrases from the poems that describe how the emotion feels or looks. This helps expand their emotional vocabulary.

3. Use Concrete Imagery Activities

Encourage students to turn abstract feeling words into concrete images. For example:

  • Write "happy" in the center of a paper
  • Draw lines radiating out from the word
  • Have students suggest words that describe what happiness looks, sounds, or feels like (e.g., sunshine, laughter, warm hugs)

4. Write Simple Emotion Poems

Guide students in writing their own emotion poems using simple templates:

 [Emotion] is... It looks like... It sounds like... It feels like... 

5. Perform Emotion Poems

Have students act out emotions described in poems. This kinesthetic approach helps them connect physical expressions to emotional states.

6. Create Emotion Collages

After reading a poem about an emotion, have students create collages using images from magazines that represent that feeling. This visual representation helps reinforce their understanding.

7. Use Joseph Coelho's "This Is..." Poem

Read Joseph Coelho's poem "This Is..." which describes different emotions. Have students discuss which descriptions they relate to and why.

8. Explore Opposing Emotions

Read poems that contrast different emotions, like happy/sad or excited/nervous. Discuss how these emotions feel different and when students might experience them.

9. Connect Poems to Personal Experiences

After reading an emotion poem, ask students to share times when they've felt that emotion. This helps them relate the poetry to their own lives.

10. Create an Emotions Poetry Book

Compile student-written emotion poems into a class book. This can serve as a resource for students to refer to when discussing feelings throughout the year.

By incorporating these poetry activities, Year Two children can develop a richer emotional vocabulary and a deeper understanding of their own and others' feelings.

How can I adapt these poems to fit different learning styles?

Classical Poetry Year 2 Activity

To adapt classic poems for different learning styles, you can use a variety of techniques that cater to visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and other learning preferences. Here are some approaches to consider:

For visual learners:

  • Create illustrated versions of the poems with vivid images that depict key scenes or concepts
  • Use color-coding to highlight different poetic elements like rhyme schemes, alliteration, or metaphors
  • Design infographics or mind maps that visually represent the poem's structure, themes, and imagery
  • Encourage students to draw their interpretations of the poems

For auditory learners:

  • Read the poems aloud with emphasis on rhythm, rhyme, and intonation
  • Create musical versions of the poems or set them to existing melodies
  • Have students perform dramatic readings or recitations of the poems
  • Discuss the poems in small groups, encouraging verbal analysis and interpretation

For kinesthetic learners:

  • Incorporate movement or dance to physically express the poem's mood or narrative
  • Use props or costumes to act out scenes from narrative poems
  • Create hands-on crafts or art projects inspired by the poems
  • Engage in role-playing activities based on characters or situations in the poems

For reading/writing learners:

  • Provide written analysis questions and encourage written responses
  • Have students rewrite poems in their own words or create "found poems" using words from the original
  • Assign creative writing exercises inspired by the poems' themes or styles
  • Create word puzzles or games based on the poems' vocabulary

By incorporating these diverse approaches, you can make classic poems more accessible and engaging for students with different learning preferences, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of poetry.

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