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Year 4

Publishing and performing a free verse poem in the style of John Lyons

I can publish and perform a free verse poem, using the illustrations and performances of John Lyons as inspiration.

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New
New
Year 4

Publishing and performing a free verse poem in the style of John Lyons

I can publish and perform a free verse poem, using the illustrations and performances of John Lyons as inspiration.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Poems can be published with illustrations or art work to help the reader engage with the poetry further.
  2. Performing a poem requires the performer to use their voice to make the poem interesting to listen to.
  3. Performing a poem requires the performer to use facial expressions to bring the poem to life.
  4. Performing a poem requires the performer to use their body to make the performance exciting to watch.

Common misconception

Illustrations should merely echo or repeat what the words convey.

Illustrations can be an extension of the poem, adding layers of meaning or emotion beyond what words convey.

Keywords

  • Publishing - the process of producing written content to become available for an audience

  • Illustrations - visual elements such as drawings, paintings or images that accompany a text

  • Performance - the presentation of a poem in front of an audience, using voice, gestures and expressions

Show examples of illustrations paired with poems to demonstrate how visuals can complement written words. Pupils can watch a range of children's poets performing their own poetry to give them many examples for inspiration.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is found in the Caribbean's natural environment?
heavy snowfall in winter months
vast desert landscapes
Correct answer: dense tropical rainforests
icebergs and crevasses
Q2.
What makes Caribbean sunsets particularly stunning?
the consistent presence of heavy fog
the unique occurrence of northern lights
the reflection of city lights on the horizon
Correct answer: the colourful hues spread over the ocean
Q3.
Which artistic elements are commonly depicted in John Lyons' illustrations to represent the Caribbean?
snow-capped mountains and glaciers
vast stretches of arid deserts
Correct answer: lush tropical landscapes, palm trees and vibrant flora
northern lights and polar wildlife
Q4.
True or false? Reciting a poem rapidly without pauses is good in a poetry performance.
Correct Answer: false, False
Q5.
Which of the following elements is John Lyons likely to illustrate in his poems?
Correct answer: flowers
Correct answer: animals
icebergs
Correct answer: carnival
Q6.
Match the themes to the titles of Lyons' poems.
Correct Answer:family and relationships,Granny's Sugarcake

Granny's Sugarcake

Correct Answer:nature and animals,Happy Hummingbird Food

Happy Hummingbird Food

Correct Answer:animals and humour,Tadpole Comets

Tadpole Comets

Correct Answer:weather and nature,Dancing in the Rain

Dancing in the Rain

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When performing a free verse poem, it is important to consider which of these?
neat, joined handwriting
Correct answer: the tone and meaning of the poem
eye contact with the audience only
Correct answer: using your voice and body movements appropriately
Q2.
What is the correct way to lay out a poem?
The length of each line must be exactly the same.
The illustration must be placed before the poem.
Correct answer: There is no specific or structured way to lay out a poem for publication.
The illustration must be placed after the poem.
Q3.
Which of the following is true of illustrations?
Correct answer: Illustrations can enhance the understanding and emotional impact of a poem.
Illustrations can distract and confuse the reader.
Illustrations tell you the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Correct answer: Illustrations can be in the form of drawings, paintings and collage.
Q4.
Which of the following is true of a free verse poem?
It always has repetition or a refrain.
Poets do not have the freedom to experiment with form, style and content.
Correct answer: It does not have a set rhyme scheme.
Correct answer: It can vary in line length.
Q5.
Match the nouns with their corresponding descriptive vocabulary.
Correct Answer:clouds,drifting and swirling gently like a ballet dancer

drifting and swirling gently like a ballet dancer

Correct Answer:stars,sparkling like diamonds winking down

sparkling like diamonds winking down

Correct Answer:sun,scorching relentlessly like a ball of gas

scorching relentlessly like a ball of gas

Correct Answer:wind,howling ferociously like a wolf

howling ferociously like a wolf

Q6.
Which verb best fits the blank? An inky blanket was __________ across the sky for bedtime.
smearing
tucking
Correct answer: spreading
stuffing