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A POEM A TERM

Writing Poems
& 
The National Literacy Strategy

a guide for teachers:  Year Four

by Roger Stevens

""Poetry should be approached with a sense of fun, 
excitement and discovery."
- Roger Stevens

KEY STAGE TWO

Year Four, Term Three

3. Poem For Sale
(Term Three)

This term the NLS asks pupils to write a range of poems based on different forms. One that works well is the advertisement.

Discuss with the class what they might like to sell. Encourage them to suggest less likely items, such as their brother, the school, their teacher; or abstract nouns such as love, happiness, friendship.

This kind of poem does not have to rhyme, but it can work as a rhyming poem.

Begin by stating what is for sale.
Briefly describe it.
Explain who might want to buy it.
And finally give a price.

For Sale

One brother.
Annoying and irritating.
Rarely washes.
Smells of old socks.
Would make a good slave for a giant.
Or food for a Monster.
Ten Pee or nearest offer.

Love For Sale

Love For Sale
I have lots to share.
Would suit any sad or lonely person.
Price - ten hugs
And a big smile

Poem for Sale
by Roger Stevens

Poem for sale.
(One careful owner)
With simile
(as lucky as a dime),
Two exquisite
And erudite adjectives
And one rhyme

Going
For a song

If you are looking for an anthology that includes different poetic forms I would recommend The Works - Every kind of poem you will ever need for the Literacy Hour - chosen by Paul Cookson (Macmillan's Children's Books). Another good anthology is The Unidentified Frying Omelette - edited by Andrew Fusek Peters (Wayland).

Continue to next section (Year 5 Term 1)

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