New
New
Year 3

Preparing to write a poem about small objects

I can prepare to write a poem about a small object.

New
New
Year 3

Preparing to write a poem about small objects

I can prepare to write a poem about a small object.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Minuscule, tiny, minute and diminutive are words to describe small objects.
  2. The subject of a poem is what the poem is about.
  3. Poets must decide the tone and emotional impact of their poem before they start generating language.
  4. Poets should decide the subject of the poem; something that inspires poetry and will be interesting to write about.

Keywords

  • Minuscule - an adjective which means tiny or microscopic; like an insect so small you can barely see it

  • Inspiring - something or someone that is exciting and makes you feel strongly interested and enthusiastic

  • Synonym - a word that has the same or similar meaning to another word

  • Diminutive - an adjective which means unusually small; like someone so tiny, you almost don’t notice them

Common misconception

Pupils may think that any small object can be a good subject for poetry.

Teach pupils that the subject of a poem should be something that inspires poetry and will be interesting to write about. Provide children with a range of ideas for them to decide whether they are inspiring or not.

The first learning cycle exposes pupils to several different poetic forms. You may wish to build on this and include well-known examples of the different types of poems.
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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these forms of poetry do not require the poet to follow set poetic rules?
haikus
Correct answer: free verse
kenning poems
Q2.
True or false? Free verse poems are any poems that do not rely on consistent patterns of rhyme or rhythm.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q3.
True or false? Free verse poems do not tend to follow the rhythm of natural speech.
Correct Answer: false, False
Q4.
True or false? In free verse poetry, poets may still use poetic techniques such as alliteration, repetition and similes to create their desired effect.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q5.
What is the name for the poetic technique that involves a single word, or group of words, being repeated for effect?
alliteration
simile
Correct answer: repetition
Q6.
A poet may extend their ideas before writing poetry by adding which of these?
Correct answer: detail
Correct answer: emotive language
complex sentences

6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Reading poems by other poets will not give you ideas or make you feel interested and enthusiastic about writing your own.
Correct Answer: false, False
Q2.
Rhyming poems are common, particularly in poetry written for ...
adults.
Correct answer: children.
teachers.
animals.
Q3.
Which of these words rhymes with the word 'chair'?
hat
Correct answer: share
paid
Q4.
Which of these words is a synonym for 'small'?
Correct answer: diminutive
enormous
gargantuan
Q5.
Which of these words has the following definition: 'an adjective which means tiny or microscopic; like an insect so small you can barely see it.'
vast
Correct answer: minuscule
delicate
Q6.
Which of these makes an object a good subject for poetry?
It is easy to spell.
It is very small.
Correct answer: It is interesting.