Publishing and performing a free verse poem in the style of John Lyons
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can publish and perform a free verse poem, using the illustrations and performances of John Lyons as inspiration.
Key learning points
- Poems can be published with illustrations or art work to help the reader engage with the poetry further.
- Performing a poem requires the performer to use their voice to make the poem interesting to listen to.
- Performing a poem requires the performer to use facial expressions to bring the poem to life.
- Performing a poem requires the performer to use their body to make the performance exciting to watch.
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
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
For this lesson, pupils will need access to John Lyons' illustrations from 'Dancing in the Rain'. Show pupils both pencil / ink and watercolour illustrations for them to draw inspiration from.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is found in the Caribbean's natural environment?
Q2.What makes Caribbean sunsets particularly stunning?
Q3.Which artistic elements are commonly depicted in John Lyons' illustrations to represent the Caribbean?
Q4.True or false? Reciting a poem rapidly without pauses is good in a poetry performance.
Q5.Which of the following elements is John Lyons likely to illustrate in his poems?
Q6.Match the themes to the titles of Lyons' poems.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When performing a free verse poem, it is important to consider which of these?
Q2.What is the correct way to lay out a poem?
Q3.Which of the following is true of illustrations?
Q4.Which of the following is true of a free verse poem?
Q5.Match the nouns with their corresponding descriptive vocabulary.
Q6.Which verb best fits the blank? An inky blanket was __________ across the sky for bedtime.
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Publishing and performing a free verse poem in the style of John Lyons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Publishing and performing a free verse poem in the style of John Lyons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the John Lyons poetry unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.