Common Poetic Forms

Common Poetic Forms is a single lesson intended for use in a KS3 and KS4 English classroom. It introduces some of the most common poetic forms pupils may encounter (sonnets, ballads, lyric poems, elegies etc.) in an engaging, pupil-led manner. Initially, the lesson builds on pupils’ current understanding of common types of poetry, using well-known examples of poetry to help consolidate understanding. It then moves onto the main activity - designing a poster of common poetic forms, using research tools and classroom materials (ICT access essential). This activity can be extended into a homework task if need be. The lesson ends with a nod towards more modern poetic forms such as rap music and performance poetry by Dave and Kae Tempest.

This lesson includes:

• 11-slide ppt
• Detailed teaching notes and answers to questions in slides
• Engaging, pupil-led main research activity
• Interesting, topical plenary with hyperlinks
• Lots of examples and opportunities to recap and consolidate understanding of poetic forms.